Fulham have completed the signing of Algerian defender Rafik Halliche for an undisclosed fee.

The player has signed from Portuguese side Benfica on a three year deal and becomes Mark Hughes’ fourth acquisition of the summer.

The player said “I’m so happy that my transfer to Fulham has been finalised.

“For me, the Premier League is the best league in the world and to be able to play alongside some wonderful players and to be given an opportunity to compete against some fantastic teams for a team like Fulham is something that I’ve always dreamed of doing.”

Halliche, who has spent the past two seasons on loan at Portuguese club Nacional, has won 20 caps for Algeria, playing every minute of their World Cup campaign in South Africa.
 
Halliche is unlikely to feature against Port Vale at Craven Cottage in their Carling Cup second round tie but may make an appearance in the Premier league away at newly promoted Blackpool on Saturday.

Fulham are clear favourites for the cup tie and are available at 1.36 Full Time Result, with League 2 promotion hopefuls Port Vale at 9.00, and the draw 4.50.

In the weekend clash the Cottagers are 2.30 Full Time Result, Ian Holloway’s Blackpool can be backed at 3.20 while the draw is 3.25.

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Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has quelled rumours that he is currently looking to sign Michael Mancienne from Chelsea on a permanent basis – for the moment.

McCarthy has already brought in six new players to Molineux this summer and insists that he must look to off-load personnel before attempting to bring in any more new faces.

The versatile Mancienne, who is comfortable in defence or as a holding midfielder, has already spent two seasons on loan at Wolves. According to reports he has asked for a transfer away from Stamford Bridge and it would cost Wolves around £4million if they wished to secure his services permanently.

Despite often speaking highly of Mancienne, McCarthy expressed his view on the situation saying, “I guess people should ask their (Chelsea’s) manager Carlo Ancelotti whether we should read anything into the transfer request.

“If I was reading anything into it, I suggest he wants a transfer! But that’s the first I’ve heard about it.

“I’m not looking at signings at all at the moment.

“We need to lose some players rather than take any more in and certainly won’t do any more business unless anyone leaves.”

Mancienne, who has also been linked with Spanish clubs Malaga and Sevilla as well as Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon, initially joined up with Wolves during their 2008/09 campaign, helping them gain automatic promotion from the Championship.

Wolves are currently 3.25 to be relegated from the Premier League 2010/11 and are 1.33 not to be relegated.

Their opening Premier League fixture sees them play host to rivals Stoke. Wolves are on offer at 2.30, the draw is available at 3.25 whereas Stoke are 2.87 to take all three points.

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