Last updated on .From the section Football

Fulham have completed the signing of free agent defensive midfielder Mickael Tavares on a short-term deal.

Tavares facts Age: 29

Nationality: Senegalese

Position: Defensive midfield

Clubs: SC Abbeville, Nantes B, Tours FC, Slavia Prague, Hamburg, Nuremberg (loan) & Middlesbrough (loan)

International caps: 25

The 29-year-old worked with Cottagers boss Martin Jol at Hamburg, the club he was released by this summer.

"I'm looking forward to playing under Martin Jol once more," the Senegal international told the club website.

The Fulham manager said: "Mickael is a typical holding midfielder and I'm delighted that we've been able to strengthen this area."

Tavares was signed from Slavia Prague by Jol in January 2009.

After Jol left for Ajax at the end of the 2008-2009 season, the Senegalese was loaned first to Nuremberg and then Middlesbrough, on a season-long deal during the 2010-2011 campaign.

"He played for me when I was at Hamburg so I'm familiar with his qualities and he will prove to be a very good addition," said Jol.

France-born Tavares has won 25 caps for Senegal.