Sunday Jan 28 2007 12:19
Fulham have completed a deal to bring former
Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin back to the Premiership from Dynamo Moscow.
Smertin, 31, has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Cottagers after spending a year in his native Russia.
The former Russia captain was signed by Chelsea for £3.5million in 2003 but struggled to hold down a first-team place at Stamford Bridge and was loaned out to Portsmouth and Charlton.
But Fulham pounced after the former Bordeaux midfielder had his contract with Dynamo Moscow terminated.
"I'm happy to have been able to sort everything out with Dynamo to allow me to come and play in the Premiership again," said Smertin.
"I had a good experience during my time here previously and I firmly believe more than before that the Premiership is the most challenging domestic competition in world football, so I am very happy to be able to play in it again."
Cottagers boss Chris Coleman added: "All in all I think we have had a very successful transfer period and I'm looking forward to pushing on now and climbing the table and I've no doubt the new additions will help us do that."
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