Thursday, July 9, 2009

Algerian defender joins Hearts

Ismael Bouzid
Bouzid said he was excited about his move to Tynecastle

Hearts have made their fourth summer signing after defender Ismael Bouzid joined from Turkish club Ankaragucu.

The 25-year-old Algerian agreed a deal with the Edinburgh outfit following the friendly against Slask Wroclaw.

Bouzid told the club website: "I am very pleased to be joining Hearts. It's a European club that I am aware of and I know it is a very strong club."

Defender Dawid Kucharski, midfielder Ian Black and Spanish winger Suso Santana have all moved to Tynecastle.

Capped 10 times by Algeria, Bouzid previously enjoyed spells at Galatasaray, French outfit Troyes and German club Kaiserslautern.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo said he was delighted with his latest recruit.

"Ismael is a very good experienced player that can help us," he said. "We have had him on our radar since last season.

"He is physically very strong, quick and is good in the air. I think he can help organise our defence because he has a very good personality.

"Ismael can definitely help us because Kari (Christos Karipidis) and (Christophe) Berra left the club last season.

"Now we have him, Marius Zaliukas and Dawid Kucharski, with Ryan McGowan and Jose Goncalves - who can also play central defence - we can close this part of our squad."

No comments: