Fulham in swoop for striker Kamara

LONDON, England -- Fulham have bolstered their strike force with the capture of Senegal international striker Diomansy Kamara from West Bromwich Albion in a deal worth around £6 million ($12 million).

The 26-year-old scored 23 goals for West Brom in the Championship last season but had been looking to move on after they lost to Derby in the play-off final.

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez played down Kamara's lack of goals in previous spells in the top flight with Portsmouth or West Brom.

"Any player you take up from the Championship is a gamble," said the former Northern Ireland manager who took over at Fulham following the departure of Chris Coleman, who was sacked after the west London club narrowly avoided relegation last season.

"He was at Portsmouth and it didn't work out for him but he has had a couple of great seasons with West Brom and now is a chance to step back up to the Premiership.

"Any player that comes to English football finds it a shock to the system, but having had two years of it, it is now a chance to step up and prove himself at this level.

"His pace will get him in good situations and there's no doubt about the quality of his finishing."

Sanchez admitted he had set his sights on Kamara as soon as West Brom had missed out on promotion.

"He will add pace to our attack and we are pleased to have got him nailed down. The lad always wanted to come it was just a case of the clubs finalising the details."

Sanchez said Kamara would be the first of several signings between now and the start of the season on August 11.

"We needed some pace added to the team. In the Premship you do need pace in certain areas and I didn't feel we had enough. Now we have a bit more and I hope we will find more. We are still looking at three or four more players and we are hopeful we will get them before the window closes." E-mail to a friend