Soccer

Bolton sign Jansen ahead of local derby

Transfer round-up : Bolton have signed Matt Jansen after the striker was released by Premiership neighbours Blackburn.

Fri Jan 13 2006 - 00:00

Transfer round-up: Bolton have signed Matt Jansen after the striker was released by Premiership neighbours Blackburn.

The 28-year-old has been given a contract which runs until the end of the season and becomes manager Sam Allardyce's second signing of the transfer window following the capture of Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

Allardyce said: "Matt has great potential, even though he hasn't been involved with Blackburn of late, and I do believe he has the right qualities to resurrect his career here at the Reebok.

"I am looking forward to working with him between now and the end of the season and I hope he can recapture the form that made him one of England's best strikers a couple of seasons ago."

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Jansen, who could go straight into the squad to face his former club at Ewood Park tomorrow, made 182 appearances for Blackburn over a seven-year period and scored 57 goals in all competitions.

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of French Under-19 international Vasariki Abou Diaby for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old central midfielder came through the youth ranks at Auxerre and captained the young French side which won the Under-19 European Championship last summer, beating England 3-1 in the final at Belfast.

Manager Arsene Wenger feels Diaby can add an extra dimension to the Gunners squad.

"He is a strong midfielder and has shown huge potential during his time at Auxerre. He will be a tremendous addition to our squad," said the Gunners boss.

The fee is believed to be in the region of £2million, and Auxerre revealed he rejected advances from Chelsea to sign a four-year deal with the Gunners.

Auxerre vice-president Gerard Bourgoin said Diaby met officials from both clubs in London on Wednesday.

"The choice belonged to Diaby, but Arsene Wenger was better than Jose Mourinho, that's all." Bourgoin said.

Espanyol completed the £1million signing of Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani, giving Blues manager Steve Bruce the opportunity to pursue £1.5million-rated Charlton forward Jason Euell, who has been out with a shoulder problem.

"Jason is someone we like and someone we were interested in during the summer before he did his shoulder," he said.  "There is an interest there and we will see what develops. He is someone we have got an interest in and I'm sure it will be ongoing over the next couple of weeks."