PLAYER PROFILE

Ali Al Habsi

Position: Goal

Height: 6'5

Weight: 13st 12lbs

Date of Birth: 1981-12-30 Muscat, Oman

Ali Al Habsi

Bolton Wanderers completed the signing of Oman international goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi in January 2006.

Al-Habsi, 24, joined the Trotters from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce told the club's official website: "Ali has a massive presence in goal and will add much needed competition in a key area for us.

"He aspires to be a great keeper in the Premiership and we'll certainly give him the platform he needs to become a respected player in the best league in the world."

The player himself added: "The move itself is a big step because I'm still young and I have a good future ahead of me.

"I feel honoured that moving to England has come true. This is a big deal for the history of Arabian and Asian football because I will be the first goalkeeper from the region to play in the English league."

Al-Habsi is still very much the second choice behind Jussi Jaaskelainen and will be hoping he gets more starting chances in the future.