Emmanuel Agbadou, a central defender, has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers from Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims on a four-and-a-half-year contract, the Premier League team said Thursday.

The deal is estimated to be worth 16.6 million pounds ($20.39 million), according to British media.

Additionally, there is a 12-month option. Wolves, who boast the worst defence in the Premier League, have made the 27-year-old Ivory Coast international, who captained Reims, their first acquisition under new manager Vitor Pereira.

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On 16 points, Wolves and Ipswich Town, who are in last place for relegation, are tied for 17th place.

“We’re delighted to welcome Emmanuel to the club,” Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said in a statement.

“He’s a player our recruitment team have watched for a long time and Vitor agreed that he was the right player and the right character to strengthen our squad now.”

Wolves visit second-tier Bristol City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.