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Al-Habsi Profile
 
Ali Al Habsi, Bolton Wanderers

Ali Al-Habsi

Born: Muscat, Oman, 30th December 1981

International Honours: Oman Full

Position: Goalkeeper

Squad Number: 26

Former Clubs: Al-Mudhaibi (Oman), Al-Nasser (Saudi Arabia), Lyn Oslo (Norway)

Ali signed for the club in January 2006 following three years as the undisputed number one goalkeeper at Norwegian club Lyn Oslo.

The Oman international had been in the Wanderers sights for four years as they had previously tried to bring him over to England in 2001 but work permit problems proved to get in the way.

Now the former Fire Officer is hoping to put pressure on current goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and his understudy Ian Walker to realise his dream of playing in one of the best leagues in the world.

Al-Habsi becomes the first Arab to sign for a top flight English club and Bolton have got themselves a quality player for nothing due to the Bosman rule.

Having waited nearly three years to make his debut, Al-Habsi's chance finally came in a League Cup tie away at Fulham in September 2007 when he helped the Wanderers to a 2-1 win.

He appeared in the clubs famous UEFA Cup games against Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade and also found himself as the number one goalkeeper at the end of the campaign due to an injury to Jussi Jaaskelainen, impressing many with his performances.

BOLTON RECORD: 10 APPEARANCES, 0 GOALS

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