Fulham have signed former Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Diarra arrives at Craven Cottage on a free transfer after leaving Monaco last summer, with Fulham awaiting a visa for the Mali international before completing the deal.
The 30-year-old made his name at Lyon, leading Real Madrid to sign him for a fee of £22million in the summer of 2006.
Diarra joined Monaco last year, but left the club following their relegation from Ligue 1 and he has been linked with a move to England in the past.
Fulham boss Martin Jol has moved to offer Diarra the chance to ply his trade in England as he feels the midfielder will provide a quality addition to his options in midfield.
Diarra will be hoping to impress Jol during the remainder of the season as the Cottagers have the option to extend his deal for a further year.
Fulham FC Statement
Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Mahamadou Diarra, pending the successful completion of a visa. The agreement sees Diarra at Fulham until the end of the current season and with an option to further extend to 2013.
The 30-year-old Malian International has made 74 appearances for his country and scored 11 goals.
The defensive midfielder started his senior career with Greek side, OFI Crete before moving to Holland to play for Vitesse.
He played for AS Monaco last year and prior to joining the principality side, he spent four seasons at Real Madrid where he made 122 appearances, winning two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and one Super Cup.
He signed for the Spanish giants in 2006 having experienced five wonderful seasons with French side Olympique Lyonnais where, forming a formidable partnership in midfield with Michael Essien, he scored 14 goals in 172 appearances and won the French Ligue 1 title on four occasions as well as four French Super Cups.