EPL: Mahamadou Diarra Signs for Fulham

Former Real Madrid star Mahamadou Diarra has signed for Fulham FC until the end of the season. The Mali International has been without a club since leaving Monaco last summer, and the 30-year-old midfielder will want to prove that he still has the legs to perform at the top level.

The move will only go through if he is granted a Visa, which is in motion at the moment and Fulham would be hopeful of having it sorted as soon as possible. The contract will also include the possibility to extend his stay at Craven Cottage until 2013.

Diarra is no stranger to winning league titles, collecting four French Ligue 1 winner's medals with Lyon, forming a formidable partnership with Michael Essien. The Malian then moved on to Spanish giants Real Madrid, and won La Liga twice in his stay at the Bernabau.

Diarra moved on from Madrid to Monaco, but when misfortune turned on the club leaving them relegated, he left and was subsequently linked with Doncaster Rovers and Wolves. These moves never materialised and he was left without a club.

A player once costing a rumoured £22 million coming in on a free transfer can only be a good thing for the London side. Martin Jol will surely be overjoyed at the capture of the veteran midfielder and will see him as someone to guide Fulham into the top half of the league.

Diarra will increase the strength in Fulham’s midfield, and his tactical awareness will be a great asset to the west London club as they look to build on some recent good results.