Riise joins Fulham

Fulham today signed Norway midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise on a three-year contract.

The 26-year-old, the younger brother of former Liverpool player John Arne Riise, has joined from Lillestrom for an undisclosed fee.

Riise told the club’s official website, www.fulhamfc.com: “It is a dream come true for me to have signed for Fulham and I am looking forward to joining the team for pre-season training now the agreement is complete.”

Riise will link up with fellow countrymen Brede Hangeland and Erik Nevland at the west London club.

He added: “Obviously I know Brede and Erik very well from the national team and they have only good things to say about the club.

“Fulham had a fantastic season last year under Roy Hodgson who is a manager I admire very much, his record in Scandinavia speaks for itself and I am very excited about working with him over the coming months and to being part of Fulham Football Club at such an exciting time.”

Hodgson has previously managed Scandinavia sides Malmo, FC Copenhagen, Viking FK and the Finland national team.

Riise, who has also played for Aalesund, Standard Liege and on loan at FC Brussels, made his Norway debut last year in a 4-0 win over Malta.