Addicks add Senegal stopper

Charlton Athletic have reinforced their defensive options with the addition of Senegal international Souleymane Diawara from Sochaux.

Skysports.com revealed on Tuesday that The Addicks were closing in on the highly-rated stopper and now Iain Dowie has unveiled his eight signing of the summer who joins for a fee of ‚é¼5.5 million (£3.7 million).

The 27-year-old had attracted interest from both Portsmouth and Newcastle over the summer but Charlton were convinced enough of his quality to pay the fifth highest transfer fee in the club's history in order to secure his services.

Diawara first rose to prominence in France with Le Havre before moving to Sochaux and catching the eye regularly in Le Championnat.

Now Addicks boss Dowie is confident that Diawara has all the attributes necessary to flourish in England.

"Souleymane is a player I've long identified as a top defender," Dowie told the club's official website.

"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."

Diawara follows Djimi Traore and Cory Gibbs in arriving at The Valley over the summer to strengthen Dowie's hand in defence.