Tough-tackling central defender John Mensah will head to Germany in a confident frame of mind after enjoying a fine second half of the season with Stade Rennais. He joined the French side on-loan from Chievo Verona in January and performed well enough in Ligue 1 to earn a three-year contract at Stade de la Route de Lorient. Mensah made his name as a member of the Ghana squad that finished as runners-up at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship. The 23-year-old continued his development in Italy during spells with Genoa, Chievo, Modena and Cremonese and is now one of the first names on Black Stars coach Ratomir Dujkovic's team-sheet.