Charlton Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:The Addicks
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Chris Powell

• Ground:The Valley
• Capacity:27,111

Dowie swoops for Diawara

30 Aug 2006 - 17:52:38

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Charlton Athletic boss Iain Dowie has snapped up the Senegal international defender Souleymane Diawara from French side Sochaux.

Diawara moves to The Valley for a fee in the region of £3.7million and is Dowie's eighth signing since he was named as Alan Curbishley's successor at the end of May.

"Souleymane is a player I've long identified as a top defender," Dowie told the club's official website.

"He's got great pace, big stature, good ability on the ball, and he's a very powerful defender who will be well-suited to the Premier League.

"We think he's a huge defensive addition to our squad."

The 27-year-old started his career with Le Havre before moving to Sochaux three years ago. He made 113 appearances for Les Lionceaux, helping them to win the French League Cup in 2004.

Diawara also represented his country at the African Cup of Nations two years ago as Senegal reached the quarter-finals.

He has a French passport so does not require a work permit to play in England.