Okocha takes Bolton option

Nigeria midfield player Jay-Jay Okocha has joined Bolton Wanderers FC from Paris Saint-Germain FC.

Two-year deal
Okocha, who captained his side and put in some excellent performances during the 2002 FIFA World Cup despite Nigeria's early exit from the finals, has elected to move to the FA Premiership after his contract at the Parc des Princes expired this summer. The 28-year-old, who announced his retirement from international football, has signed a two-year deal with Bolton.

'Tremendous ability'
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was thrilled to announce Okocha's arrival as he spoke to the club's official website. "I'm absolutely delighted to bring Jay-Jay to Bolton Wanderers," he said. "He is a player with tremendous ability and one of great experience at domestic and international level. He'll be a marvellous addition to our team."

Gold medallist
Okocha was PSG's record signing when he joined the club from Turkish side Fenebahçe SK for €15.5m in 1998, and he has also played in the 1. Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt. At international level, he won a gold medal with Nigeria as they became the first African side to take the Olympic title in 1996, and more recently played in the side that finished third in the 2002 African Cup of Nations.

Foe for City
Meanwhile, another high-profile African player, Cameroon's Marc Vivien Foe, has also sealed a move back to the FA Premiership after signing a one-year loan deal to join Manchester City FC. The newly promoted side, who are managed by former England manager Kevin Keegan, have paid Olympique Lyonnais €870,000 for the midfield player's services.

'A quality player'
"He is a quality player who has just come back from the World Cup," said Keegan. "He is big, strong and a great athlete. He knows English football and was at West Ham United FC where he did very well. Marc plays in that holding role but I am not saying he can't play it with another person - in other words there could be a chance to play another player with him. So that does not rule out Kevin Horlock or anyone else for that matter who may be fighting for that position."

Option to buy
Foe played in the Lyon side that took the French title in 2001/02 and has given up the chance of playing in the UEFA Champions League to join Keegan's ambitious side. "He wanted to come to the Premiership and that has been the key to it. He is very excited about coming here," said Keegan. "He is a tremendously important signing for us. The others are certainly exciting but some signings you know are just right and this one is. And we have an option to purchase him at the end of the season."