Barcelona (AFP) – France international Lucas Digne hailed the start of a “big adventure” at his unveiling as Barcelona’s latest signing on Thursday.

The 22-year-old defender joined the club on Wednesday from Paris Saint-Germain on a 16.5 million, $18.26m (plus bonuses) five-year deal after a successful loan spell at Serie A’s Roma.

“This is the greatest club in the world, it’s the start of a big adventure for me,” the stylish Lille-trained player told a press conference.

Digne was part of Didier Deschamps’ 23-strong France squad for Euro 2016. But he didn’t play a single minute, with the experienced Patrice Evra preferred in the Les Bleus’ starting XI.

Digne, sporting bandages on his face after nose surgery, added: “I think this is the perfect club to evolve and to stay for a long time.”

At the prospect of playing alongside the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi he said: “It’s an extra motivation and it’ll help me make enormous progress”.

Digne’s arrival comes on the same week as another French defender, Samuel Umtiti, joined The Catalans from Lyon in a deal worth 25 million euros ($27.7 million).