Addicks swoop for defender Diawara

Charlton have boosted their squad ahead of the August transfer deadline with the recruitment of yet another international in the shape of Senegal star Souleymane Diawara.

The Addicks have snapped up the central defender from French Championnat side Sochaux for €5.5m (£3.712m) - the fifth highest signing in the club's history.

Addicks head coach Iain Dowie said: "Souleymane is a player I've long identified as a top defender.

"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.”

Gabou-born Diawara, 27, started his career in Le Championnat with Le Havre, where he made 73 appearances and scored once.

He moved to Sochaux in 2003 following Le Havre's relegation, and played 113 times for Les Lionceaux, scoring on five occasions.

During his time at the club he helped them to win the French League Cup in 2004, when Nantes were beaten on penalties at the Stade de France, and featured in the UEFA Cup the same year, playing against Newcastle United.

Sochaux finished 15th in Le Championnat in 2005/06, Diawara establishing a reputation for his strong tackling, speed and surges forward out of defence.

Although not in his country's squad for an African Nations Cup qualifier against Mozambique in Dakar on Saturday, Diawara featured for his country as Senegal reached the quarter-finals in the 2004 African Nations Cup.

Diawara has a French passport so no work permit is required, and joins compatriot Amady Faye at The Valley.

He becomes the eighth summer signing made by Dowie, following Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, Simon Walton, Andy Reid, Djimi Traore, Faye, Cory Gibbs and Scott Carson, who has joined on a season-long loan from Liverpool.

The Senegalese player was unveiled by the Addicks at Lingfield racecourse on Wednesday afternoon, as part of a club sponsor event.