Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri will become the new manager of French top flight side Nantes.

The Italian was sacked by Leicester in February, just nine months after leading the Foxes to their maiden Premier League title.

His new club had to get special permission to appoint him, as the French Football Federation has a manager age limit of 65. Ranieri will turn 66 in October.

It won't be the first time Ranieri has managed in France, having coached AS Monaco from 2012 to 2014, including leading the current French champions to promotion from Ligue 2 and back into the top flight.

Nantes enjoyed a solid finish to the 2016-17 Ligue 1 season under the management of former Portugal winger Sergio Conceicao, who took them to 7th place before becoming manager of FC Porto in his homeland.

The Canaries have a proud history in Ligue 1, winning the league eight times, although the last time was in the 2000-01 season.

The club, which has an excellent record of developing young talent, have also won the French Cup three times, as well as reaching the UEFA Champions League semi finals in 1995-96.