Diouf makes Bolton switch

El-Hadji Diouf has signed for Bolton on a year-long loan deal.

The Liverpool striker was expected to leave Anfield after new boss Rafael Benitez did not give him a squad number for the season.

Portsmouth and Spanish side Malaga were reported to be interested in the twice-named African Footballer of the Year but he decided on a move to the Reebok Stadium after meeting manager Sam Allardyce.

“El-Hadji was won over by what Bolton’s manager had to say and the club’s ambition,” the player’s agent Alexander Grouet told the official club website, www.liverpoolfc.tv. “The aim to do even better than last season’s eighth place finish.”

The Senegal international was signed from Lens by former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier in 2002 after the striker impressed in the World Cup.

The 23-year-old scored twice on his home debut but has struggled to live up to his £10m (€14.9m) transfer fee since.

Allardyce said: “A change of club would benefit him because his future appears to be no longer with Liverpool.

“Not getting a squad number means every intention has been shown by them that he is no longer wanted.

“So to go and resurrect your career at 23 is a very important thing to do and it’s very important to pick the right club,” he told BBC Sport Online.

Diouf could make his debut at Fulham next weekend.