Southampton have signed Algerian schemer Djamel Belmadi on a short-term deal.
Southampton have signed Djamel Belmadi on a short-term deal after the Algerian schemer decided he could not wait for Sunderland.Belmadi impressed Saints boss Harry Redknapp while on trial last month, having previously trained with Celtic and Wigan Athletic during pre-season.
At the start of this week, the 29-year-old trained with Sunderland but the Premiership new boys wanted more time before offering Belmadi a contract.
The playmaker, though, has opted to sign a one-month contract with Saints, in the hope of earning a longer deal at St Mary's.
"I have done a lot of training alone but I feel okay and I hope I can do enough in this month to show I can be a Southampton player because I would like to stay longer," Belmadi told the club's official website.
"I am here for one month but it could be longer if everyone is happy.
"I was at Sunderland yesterday and I had a good feeling with the coach but he wanted time to make a decision so I preferred to come here because I know the players and enjoyed being with them in Scotland."
Belmadi spent a spell in England in 2003 when he was on loan at Manchester City, while he has most recently been playing in the Middle East.
He could make his Saints debut against Wolves on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1, and he is likely to be joined in the team by Ricardo Fuller.
Saints have officially confirmed Fuller's £90,000 capture from Portsmouth after the Jamaican striker was granted a work permit.
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