Diarra set for Fulham

Fulham today announced the signing of former Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, pending the successful completion of a visa.

The 30-year-old, who once cost a reported £22m, will join on a free transfer until the end of the season, with the option of extending his deal by a further year.

Diarra has been without a club since leaving Monaco last summer and is hoping to resurrect his career in the Barclays Premier League.

Diarra, a Mali international for more than a decade, left Monaco following their shock relegation from Ligue 1.

He spent less than half a season there after joining them on a free transfer from Real, where he spent four and a half years, winning two Primera Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and one Super Cup.

He cost the Madrid giants a reported £22m from Lyon in the summer of 2006 having won four successive Ligue 1 titles.

While at Lyon he formed a formidable midfield partnership with Michael Essien and was linked with Manchester United before Real pounced.

Diarra began his senior career with Greek side OFI Crete before moving to Holland to play for Vitesse Arnhem.