Double signing for Bolton

Bolton today completed a double swoop for former Spain captain Fernando Hierro and current Israel skipper Tal Ben Haim.

Hierro, 36, who has been playing in Qatar after 14 years with Real Madrid, has signed a one-year deal with the Trotters.

Ben Haim, a 22-year-old defender, has joined from Maccabi Tel Aviv and signed a three-year contract after spending two weeks on trial at the Lancashire club.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce will now await international clearance for Hierro and hopes the veteran star can play in Sunday’s friendly against Inter Milan.

“He is without doubt one of the biggest names in Spanish football,” said Allardyce.

“I firmly believe he can become a star in the English game.”

He added: “Tal is the biggest name to come out of Israeli football since Eyal Berkovic. He has all the right attributes to make it in the Premiership.”

The new signings follow Michael Bridges, Les Ferdinand, Gary Speed and Radhi Jaidi into Allardyce’s multi-national squad.

Hierro has won 89 caps for Spain and played in four World Cups for his country.