Czech Republic central defender Rene Bolf will join Auxerre from Banik Ostrava at the end of the season.

Bolf has been signed as a replacement for France international Jean-Alain Boumsong who is joining Scottish club Rangers.

“Bolf is a very experienced central defender,” said Auxerre coach Guy Roux.

“We spent a day together. He is a very straightforward man and…he has overpowered players such as (Barcelona’s) Patrick Kluivert and (Manchester United’s) Ruud Van Nistlerooy.”

The 29-year-old appeared in all the Czech REpublic’s EURO 2004 qualifying games qualifying games.