Oman No.1 agrees Bolton switch

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Oman No.1 agrees Bolton switch


Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi is poised to make history after today signing a pre-contract agreement to join Bolton in January.
Al Habsi has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal, but will not switch to the Reebok Stadium until the new year once he has seen out his current contract with SFK Lyn of Norway.


The Oman international will then become the first goalkeeper from Asia to play in the Premiership and he said: 'My dream has finally come true. I've always wanted to play in the Premiership and it is very special that Bolton want me to play for them.

'The club is going places and I was impressed with Sam Allardyce's hopes for the future. With my strong ambition and Bolton's desire to be a top club in Europe, the partnership fits perfectly.

'The move itself is a big step because I'm still young and I have a good future ahead of me.

'This is a big deal for the history of Arabian and Asian football because I will be the first goalkeeper from the region to play in the English Premier League.'

Habsi is confident he will eventually become first-choice keeper at the Reebok, even though Jussi Jaaskelainen has just signed a three-year extension to his own contract.

The 23-year-old, voted the best goalkeeper in Norway last season and in the last two Gulf Cups, appears to represent another smart transfer move by Allardyce, whose side will compete in the UEFA Cup for the first time this term.

'My ambition is to be Bolton's first choice,' added Al Habsi. 'This move will give my career a big push forward. It is a great thing because the Premier League is the best in the world.'

Allardyce has described his swoop for Al Habsi as 'very satisfying', with the Bolton manager understood to have beaten Manchester City to the punch.

'We've been monitoring his development for quite some time and I am delighted that he has selected us ahead of a number of other high profile clubs who were keen to sign him,' added Allardyce.

'Ali has a massive presence in front of goal and will add much needed competition in a key area for us.

'He aspires to be a great 'keeper in the Premiership and we'll certainly give him the platform he needs to become a respected player in the best league in the world.'

Olivier Dacourt's hopes of a return to the Premiership are currently on hold as Roma attempt to resolve their transfer embargo with FIFA.

World football's governing body recently imposed the suspension for what was deemed improper conduct in the controversial transfer of defender Phillipe Mexes from Auxerre a year ago.

FIFA's block not only prevents them from registering any new players, but also from selling, throwing any potential move for Dacourt into the melting pot.

Allardyce is known to be keen on signing the France international, who has previous Premiership experience with both Everton and Leeds, while Manchester City and Birmingham are rumoured to also be interested.

But agent Bruno Satin said: 'There are various clubs in the UK who have expressed an interest in Olivier. At the moment, the situation is that he is contracted to Roma for another year and will be heading into pre-season training on July 16 or 17.

'But there is a lot of confusion over Roma, who are not allowed to transfer players in or out. FIFA are wanting to create trouble for AS Roma.

'I understand FIFA are trying to sort out this problem over Mexes, and we hope it is resolved soon. I don't think it will be too long before something happens.'

Roma have launched an appeal and are expecting an answer from FIFA within the week, with the likes of Allardyce understandably hoping the ban is lifted if he is to have any hope of bringing Dacourt to the Reebok Stadium.

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