Charlton land Diawara

12 April 2012

Charlton have completed the signing Senegal defender Souleymane Diawara, ensuring some positive news on a day which started with confirmation Costa Rica winger Christian Bolanos had been denied a work permit by the the Home Office.

The centre-half, 27, has agreed a four-year contract with the Barclays Premiership side in £3.7million deal from French club Sochaux.

Boss Iain Dowie was in need of some cover at the back following injuries to Gonzalo Sorondo and Jonathan Fortune as well as the three-match suspension of Hermann Hreidarsson following his dismissal for an elbow on Bolton striker Kevin Davies at the weekend.

"Souleymane is a player I've long identified as a top defender," declared the Charlton manager.

"He has got great pace, big stature, good ability on the ball - and he is a very powerful defender who will be well suited to the Premier League."

Diawara was born in Gabou, but holds a French passport, and so will not require international clearance.

The 27-year-old, who started his career at Le Havre, joins compatriot Amady Faye at The Valley, after the defensive midfielder joined from Newcastle during the summer.

Dowie, however, was unable to secure a place in his squad for Bolanos.

The Addicks had agreed a one-year loan deal with South American club Deportivo Saprissa for the 22-year-old earlier this month, subject to a work permit.

Despite Bolanos having represented his country 18 times, twice in the World Cup finals, as a substitute against hosts Germany and then starting versus Poland, the player did not meet the required 75% quota of 'A' appearances over the past two years set down by the Government for non-European nationals.

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