Doncaster boss Dean Saunders has hailed the signing of former Liverpool and Blackburn forward El Hadji Diouf as a major coup for the club.
Striker relishing challenge at Keepmoat Stadium
Doncaster boss Dean Saunders has hailed the signing of former Liverpool and Blackburn forward El-Hadji Diouf as a major coup for the club.
Diouf has joined the Championship strugglers on a three-month deal after leaving Blackburn earlier in the summer.
The Senegal international has been training with Wigan and West Ham after leaving Ewood Park, but Rovers have managed to lure Diouf to the Keepmoat Stadium
Saunders believes the 30-year-old still has a lot to offer and he feels he will prove a valuable addition to the squad as they look to climb up the Championship table.
"West Ham offered him a deal, I think, and we've managed to persuade him to come and play for us so it's a brilliant signing for us," Saunders told
Sky Sports News.
No mean feat
"He has won African Player of the Year twice, which is no mean feat considering some of the players they have over there.
"He played in the Premiership last season, he played for Rangers last season and hopefully he can come in and try and help us and take on board what I am trying to do at the club."
Asked if Diouf's arrival was a coup for Doncaster, Saunders added: "Yes, I think so, he is obviously a top player.
"He is only 30, it's not as if he is too old and he is winding his career down. He still wants to play at the highest level.
"I am really pleased we have got him. You can see the quality [Pascal] Chimbonda and [Herita] Illunga have got and hopefully up at other end of pitch he can provide that for us."
Challenge
Diouf is looking forward to the challenge of helping Doncaster climb clear of trouble
"I'm focused on doing my best for this club and after that we'll see what happens," said Diouf.
"It's the challenge. I signed to help the team, do my best and play my football."
