Aubameyang signs permanent deal

St Etienne have announced the signing of forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a deal that has seen him commit himself to the Ligue 1 club until June 2016. The 22-year-old had been on loan at Les Verts from AC Milan since January 2011 but, having enjoyed success in France, the Gabon international has made the move permanent. Aubameyang failed to make a single appearance for Milan but he is the St Etienne's top scorer with six goals so far this season as part of a team that have reached the winter break in ninth place. Aubameyang told www.asse.fr: "I am really pleased to sign permanently with ASSE. "It was my ambition in coming to St Etienne. This is one of the finest passages of my young career. I will continue to give my all for the club. Now my ambition is to continue in the same vein in the second half of the season." Manager Christophe Galtier added: "It was a real desire of all parties. Everything was easily resolved."