The Swiss midfielder found himself on the fringes last season after manager Mark Hughes arrived from Blackburn Rovers.

Fernandes moved to City from FC Sion in July 2007 and made his debut in the Carling Cup win over Bristol City a month later.

He made 59 appearances, scoring four times, but he was increasingly used as a substitute.

The French side are coached by former Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin.

The 22-year-old is known to speak several languages and is the cousin of former Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes.