Stoppila Sunzu permanently left Chinese Super League club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC for Ligue 1 squad Lille Olympique Sporting Club this summer after spending the last season with the French team on loan.

The 27-year-old Zambian defender joined Shanghai Shenhua in December of 2014 from Ligue 2 side FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, making his debut for the Flower of Shanghai in March of last year and scoring a goal as well in their 6-2 win over cross-city rivals Shanghai Shenxin.

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He was then sent to Lille in July 2015 for a season-long deal before he came back to China this summer to re-evaluate his status with the club.

Eventually, both Shanghai and Lille decided to make Sunzu's transfer permanent and so the 6-foot-2 Chingola, Zambia native was signed by the Stade Pierre-Mauroy residents to a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, BBC Sport reported.

Sunzu is reportedly happy about the deal as he had been "at home" with the French squad during his whole stay there last term where he scored twice in 16 appearances, helping the squad finish fifth in the Ligue 1 standings to qualify for next season's Europa League competitions.

"Lille feels very much like home and I am delighted to continue my career here," Sunzu said.

Lille assistant general manager Jean-Michel van Damme was also happy to seal a permanent deal for the African defender.

"Every time we called on him, Stoppila proved effective. He has already integrated and is highly respected in the squad," van Damme said, via Super Sport. "He is not only a great professional but also a great gentleman. He's a great addition to the locker room."

"We are very pleased to have been able to sign him, especially with the challenges of the Europa League, where competence and commitment are vital in serving the team," the official added.

Current Les Dogues manager Frédéric Antonetti is also said to be satisfied about the deal as he was an eyewitness of Sunzu's professionalism both on and off the pitch.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Stoppila Sunzu, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC, Lille Olympique Sporting Club