Metz defender Tahirys dos Santos, who survived a Swiss bar fire on New Year’s Eve that killed 41 people, has signed his first professional contract.

The 19-year-old, who helped rescue his partner at the Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, was one of more than 100 people injured, sustaining burns to 30% of his body that needed a skin graft.

He returned to action for Metz reserves on 11 April.

Dos Santos, who joined the academy aged eight, has agreed a one-year deal.

“This moment has an even more special meaning after the difficult months I went through in hospital,” he told the club website.