Bolton sign free-agent Fadiga

Sam Allardyce, the Bolton manager, further strengthened his African contingent at the Reebok Stadium yesterday with the signing of Khalilou Fadiga.

Sam Allardyce, the Bolton manager, further strengthened his African contingent at the Reebok Stadium yesterday with the signing of Khalilou Fadiga.

The Senegal international midfielder has agreed a season-long contract with Wanderers, with an option for the deal to be extended if he impresses Allardyce over the next eight months.

The move will come as a relief to Fadiga, who feared earlier this year he would have to stop playing after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. This led to the 29-year-old being released by Internazionale a year after a transfer from Auxerre, where he had spent three seasons. Ultimately, surgery was necessary.

Fadiga, who has been training with Bolton for the last two weeks, has since passed all medical checks with the club, and he should be fully fit and available for selection by the middle of next month.

"It will be good to have him on the front line when he gets fit, which should be in about four to six weeks," Allardyce confirmed.

Fadiga represents Allardyce's fourth African signing over the past two months, joining his Senegal team-mate El-Hadji Diouf, Nigerian Blessing Kaku and Tunisian Radhi Jaidi, all of whom followed in the footsteps of the Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha.

Sébastien Schemmel has ended his stay with Portsmouth, and is on the lookout for another club, according to the official website of the French side Nancy.

The club claim he is training at Nancy, who said in a statement: "Sébastien Schemmel has terminated his contract with Portsmouth and is looking for another club. He is training with the Nancy reserves."

The 29-year-old started his career at Nancy in 1993, before moving to Metz, and then West Ham in 2001.

The defender joined Portsmouth on a free transfer from West Ham in 2003, but has made only 12 League appearances since his move to Fratton Park.