French side Nantes have signed former international keeper Fabien Barthez on an 18-month contract, the Ligue 1 strugglers confirmed on Sunday. The 35-year-old guardian announced his retirement from football in July after France lost to Italy on penalties in the World Cup final in Germany. "Barthez has joined us," Nantes chairman Rudi Roussillon was quoted as saying by French sports paper L'Equipe. Barthez, a member of France's squad that won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, confirmed the move, describing Nantes as one of the biggest French clubs. The veteran shot-stopper has been without club football since leaving Marseille in the end of last season. He also played for Monaco and Manchester United in the 1990s. Nantes are struggling to escape relegation as they are second from bottom with 14 points from 18 games.