Strasbourg swoop for Guemamedia

On a busy day at RC Strasbourg, the French UEFA Cup contenders have signed Tunisian international striker Haykel Guemamedia from CS Sfaxien for an estimated €1.5m fee, while Abdelilah Fahmi and Václav Drobný have left the club.

'Big challenge'
Twice top scorer in the Tunisian top flight, the 23-year-old Guemamedia has signed a four-year deal and said: "I'm here to do my best because the Strasbourg directors proved they really wanted me on board. The UEFA Cup is a big challenge as well." The Alsace side signed him to replace Mamadou Niang, who joined Olympique de Marseille earlier this summer.

Rabo problems
Guemamedia's arrival will be all the more welcome as the situation regarding Egyptian striker Hosni Rabo is still unclear. After signing on 10 June, he is trying to resolve problems regarding military service in his homeland. Club president Egon Gindorf said: "He is not yet sure to come, as our contract could be broken." With captain and first-choice striker Mickaël Pagis also suspended for Sunday's Ligue 1 game at champions Olympique Lyonnais, Guemamedia could feasibly be handed his debut by coach Jacky Duguépéroux this weekend.

Dual departure
After announcing Guemamedia's arrival, Strasbourg directors also confirmed the departures of two players. Moroccan defender Abdelilah Fahmi has moved to Turkish side Gaziantepspor and Czech international defender Václav Drobný has returned to his native country, signing for UEFA Champions League contenders AC Sparta Praha.