Strasser opts for Racing

The experienced defender has been keen to get fixed up with a new club and attracted interest from Aston Villa and Sunderland.

The Black Cats were hopeful they had done enough to snare the 31-year-old centre back ahead of the imminent appointment of Roy Keane as manager but Strasser has joined Racing instead.

Villa have also been credited with an interest but the stopper chose the mid-table Ligue 2 side because of the attraction of working with coach Jean-Pierre Papin.

The move, when finalised, marks a return to France for the former Metz man, who has been wearing the colours of Borussia Monchengladbach.