Bolton sign £10m-rated Elmander

Bolton Wanderers have signed Sweden striker Johan Elmander on a three-year deal from French club Toulouse for an undisclosed transfer fee.

The move sees Norway striker Daniel Braaten going the other way in a deal believed to be worth about £10m.

"He is a player who will get us goals and create other opportunities for his team-mates," Bolton manager Gary Megson said of the 27-year-old Elmander.

He started in two of Sweden's three Euro 2008 group matches.

Megson has been tracking Elmander's progress since January, when he tried to sign him as a replacement for the Chelsea-bound Nicolas Anelka.

The former Brondby striker netted a hat-trick against Bordeaux in the final match of the 2007 season, guiding his side to third in France's Ligue 1 as well as clinching a Champions League qualifying slot.

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"I have a couple of Swedish friends who can't believe he has signed for us"
finlaymcdanger

But the 2008 season finished in complete contrast to the year before as Toulouse narrowly avoided relegation, finishing in 17th place.

Elmander made his Sweden debut in 2002 and has featured 38 times for his country, scoring 11 goals.

He becomes the second new signing at the Reebok Stadium after the £5m capture of Fabrice Muamba from Birmingham.

And Megson said he expected more new faces before the start of next season.

"I am still on the lookout for other players to boost the quality of our squad," he said.

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