By Mark Heys
January 3 2006

The signing of Omani international Ali Al-Habsi marks the end of a four year chase by Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce who first tried to recruit the Middle Eastern goalkeeper back in 2001. Much travelled English veteran John Burridge tipped Bolton off about the talents of the rising Arab star when he travelled over to the Gulf to watch Al-Habsi in action for Al-Nasser.

"Budgie" Burridge, an eccentric character in the game who played well into his fourties, had seen the potential of Al-Habsi who was combining his football career with a career as a firefighter and Bolton where suitably impressed with what they had seen in a trial only to find the player had not played enough games at international level and was therefore ineligable to move to England.

In January 2003 Al-Habsi moved over to Norway to sign for Lyn Oslo and during his three years in Scandinavia his progress flourished as he helped the club to league and cup success.

The giant 24-year old had become Oman's undisputed number one custodian during his early days with the Norwegian club and his performances in the Asia Cup and World Cup qualifiers earned him rave reviews across the globe.

By 2004 the Wanderers went back in for Al-Habsi as they looked to provide competition for regular goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen but Lyn's asking price was something which Bolton where not willing to pay given their limited financial budget.

Al-Habsi had his heart set on the move to England though and waited until his contract with Lyn had expired in 2005 before signing a pre-contract agreement with the Trotters over the summer, moving to the Reebok Stadium in December once the Norwegian Supperliggen was concluded.

He is currently training at the Wanderers Euxton complex in Chorley and will complete the formalities of the transfer deal within the next few days.