Bougherra bolsters Charlton back line

Charlton Athletic FC have made their third signing of the January transfer window by paying Sheffield Wednesday FC almost €4m for Algerian international defender Madjid Bougherra.

'Real presence'
The 24-year-old centre-back, who moved to Hillsborough for €450,000 in the summer following a loan spell with Crewe Alexandra FC and has made 13 international appearances, has not missed a game in the Championship this season having made his name in France with FC Gueugnon. "Madjid is a player who has come into English football and proved his type of game can adjust," said Charlton manager Alan Pardew. "He has a real presence and power on the pitch that we hope to harness in our team, not only during the run-in this season but for years to come."

Thatcher experience
Bougherra becomes Pardew's third acquisition since taking charge of the struggling Premiership side in late December, with another defender, 31-year-old Welsh international Ben Thatcher, signing an 18-month contract earlier in the month after Charlton agreed an initial €750,000 deal with Manchester City FC. In addition, 26-year-old Chinese international Zheng Zhi - who can play in either defence or midfield - will spend the rest of the campaign with the London club, 19th in the English top flight, as they attempt to stave off relegation.