Fulham sign £5m striker Dembele

(GETTY IMAGES)

Fulham have signed Belgium striker Moussa Dembele from AZ Alkmaar on a three-year contract, the Barclays Premier League club announced this afternoon.

Dembele, who can also play on the wing, arrives at Craven Cottage for a fee believed to be £5million and has won 28 caps.

"Moussa is strong and quick and will add another dimension to our attacking options," Fulham manager Mark Hughes told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com.

Fulham pipped Barclays Premier League rivals Birmingham in the race to sign Dembele, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the past.

The creative 23-year-old joined AZ in 2006 and weighed in with 10 goals in the club's Eredivisie title-winning campaign of 2008-09.

During four seasons at the AZ Stadium Dembele hit 18 goals in 118 appearances and has been hailed as one of the league's most exciting players.

"I'm glad that we have finalised the deal with Moussa and I'd like to welcome him to the club," continued Hughes.

"It's important that we go into the season with some additions to the squad that will enable us to compete at a consistently high level throughout the season.

"I look forward to working with Moussa and, hopefully, to making a few more additions before the transfer window closes."

Dembele concedes he faces a battle to be selected in Fulham's starting line-up with Manchester United looming on Sunday.

"I'm very happy to join Fulham and look forward to training with the team to prepare for the first home game of the season," he said.

"It's always been a dream to play in the Premier League and I will make sure that I make the most of this opportunity.

"I understand that Fulham has a strong squad so I'm prepared to work hard for the manager and take my chance to impress him, and my teammates, when the opportunities arise."