Bolton have signed Benfica striker Ariza Makukula on loan until the end of the season subject to the granting of a work permit, the club have announced.

The 27-year-old is a powerful centre-forward who started his career at Vitoria Guimaraes before going on to play for Leganes, Nantes, Valladolid, Gimnastic de Tarragona and Maritimo before moving to Portuguese giants Benfica 12 months ago.

Makukula shot to prominence in Spain and has earned four caps for Portugal, scoring on his debut against Kazakhstan in October 2007.

The player becomes manager Gary Megson’s second signing of the transfer window following the arrival of Sebastien Puygrenier from Zenit St Petersburg.