Bolton capture Omani talent
Monday, July 4, 2005
Article summary
UEFA Cup debutants Bolton Wanderers FC have signed Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi from Norway's SFK Lyn Oslo.
Article body
Pre-contract agreement
The 23-year-old Omani international has secured a pre-contract agreement with the English Premiership outfit and will move to the Reebok stadium in January on a three-and-a-half year deal. The 1.94m-tall custodian, the first footballer from his country to play professionally in Europe, joined Norwegian side Lyn in January 2003 after spells with Al Mudhaibi and Al-Nasser in his homeland, and has gone on to play 49 league games.
'Perfect partnership'
"I've always wanted to play in the Premiership and it is very special that Bolton wanted me to play for them," Al-Habsi told Bolton's website. "The club is going places. With my strong ambition and Bolton's desire to be a top club in Europe, the partnership fits perfectly. This is a big deal for Arabian and Asian football."
Laville released
Meanwhile, Bolton central defender Florent Laville has joined French Ligue 2 team SC Bastia. Twice a French title-winner during his time with Olympique Lyonnais, the 31-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Coventry City FC.
