Fulham have signed former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel from Besiktas as the Premier League strugglers bid to bolster their spluttering attack and avoid relegation.
Netherlands international Babel has joined Claudio Ranieri's side, who sit 19th and five points from safety, until the end of the season and could make his debut against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
he 32-year-old will be expected to spark a Fulham team who are deep in a relegation battle after losing 2-1 at fellow strugglers Burnley on Saturday.
The Cottagers have scored only 20 goals and won just three of their 22 league games despite splashing out around £100 million ($127 million) on new players in the summer following promotion from the Championship.
Babel made 146 appearances during his three-and-a-half year spell with Liverpool.
He left Anfield in 2011 and played for Hoffenheim, Ajax, Al Ain and Deportivo La Coruna before joining Besiktas in 2017.
The Club is delighted to announce the signing of Ryan Babel on a permanent transfer from Besiktas, with the deal running until the end of the season.
A versatile attacker who is comfortable operating anywhere along the frontline, Babel already has plenty of experience of English football, having made 146 appearances for Liverpool during a three-and-a-half year stint on Merseyside.
The 32-year-old Netherlands international has been assigned the number 12 shirt.
Babel said: “My first impressions are good and I’m very excited.
“I definitely have faith that Fulham can stay up. That’s one of the reasons that I’m here, to try and help that to happen. I’m ready to go, I’m excited and I can’t wait.”
Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan added: “Ryan has excelled at playing attacking football on both the club and international stage, and we welcome that experience as we build our squad for a strong second-half push with nine important home fixtures remaining, beginning Sunday when Spurs visit the Cottage.
“Ryan scored 15 goals across all competitions last season and arrives with the support of our Manager. Claudio and I are confident that Ryan’s return to the Premier League here will be every bit as good for him as his addition will be good for our squad. Come on Fulham!”