Fulham Clinch Bouazza Signing

Hameur Bouazza today completed a £4m move to Fulham from Watford after signing a four-year deal with the Cottagers. The Algerian forward, who was the Hornets' top scorer as they were relegated last season, revealed he was keen to stay in the Premier League and has now been granted his wish.

Fulham will make an initial payment of £3m with a further £1m based on appearances and divisional status.

"We're disappointed to lose him because I wanted to keep him in the squad for this season," said the Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd. "Sometimes though you have to weigh up the money on offer and the value a player brings to the squad who wouldn't necessarily be starting each and every week. He is definitely a terrific player in my eyes but has got an awful long way to go to be all he can be in his career."

The 22-year-old Bouazza is now hoping to be involved in Fulham's opening league match of the season at Arsenal on Sunday. "It's been a long wait and I'm just happy to be here and I'm looking forward to getting out on the training pitch," said Bouazza. "I've got a few days training to settle in and hopefully I'll be involved against Arsenal. It's going to be a big game and we've got to make sure we do our jobs out on the pitch and make a good start to the season."

The Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez believes Bouazza will offer a different attacking option, having already signed the forwards Diomansy Kamara and David Healy this summer. "Hameur is an exciting young player with a great deal of potential," he said. "His attributes as a player fit in with my philosophy to play attacking, exciting football next season. He will provide further pace and attacking guile to our frontline and I'm delighted that he has signed for the club."

Celtic's midfielder Thomas Gravesen may seek a transfer in January if he has not won a regular starting place, according to his agent. The Dane moved to Celtic Park on a £2m deal from Real Madrid a year ago, but has found himself increasingly sidelined by manager Gordon Strachan and was not even on the bench for the opening Scottish Premier League match of the season against Kilmarnock.

John Sivebaek now claims Gravesen will consider his options at the turn of the year if the situation does not improve. "The only reason that Thomas has stayed with Celtic is because of how much he loves the club," said Sivebaek. "He thinks the club is fantastic and the fans are fantastic. The only thing missing is he's not playing football. He's not getting a chance and it's my personal opinion he is being frozen out. He's frustrated right now but he accepts the situation even if he does find it very strange."