The 23-year-old Indomitable Lion joins last year's French runners-up from Rennes.

"Agreement has been reached between Rennes, Marseille and Stephane M'Bia for the player's transfer," Marseille's website said.

He completed a medical on Monday and has now signed a four-year contract with the club.

He had also been linked with moves to Stoke City and Everton in the English Premier League.

The fee has not been disclosed but is thought to be in the region of US$17 million.

M'Bia was part of the Cameroon squad who went all the way to the final of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

He scored a dramatic double in their quarter-final against Tunisia.

Marseille have also signed Senegal defender Souleymane Diawara during this current closed season.