Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer has joined Girondins Bordeaux from European champions Liverpool as a free agent on a two-year deal, the Ligue 1 club said on Monday.

Bordeaux also announced that coach Michel Pavon, who suffers from a heart condition, was stepping down for health reasons but would stay on at the club as a scout.

Smicer, who scored Liverpool's second goal in their stunning Champions League final victory over AC Milan last month, has had a difficult season on Merseyside.

"The victory in the final is the best moment of my career but after six years at Liverpool, it was time for me to go," the 32-year-old told a news conference.

"France [Images] was a natural choice as my family and I have got good memories of this country."

Smicer played for RC Lens from 1996 to 1999, winning the league title in 1998 and lifting the League Cup a year later.

Smicer, who can also play up front, was a member of Liverpool's trophy treble in 2001 with the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA [Images] Cup, adding another League Cup success in 2003.

Pavon steps down after missing his side's last three games of the Ligue 1 season because of heart problems.

Club president Jean-Louis Triaud, who indicated Bordeaux are considering several potential successors, said: "Michel told us he was physically too weak to lead the team next season."

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