Cottagers swoop for Dacourt

Fulham have signed France midfielder Olivier Dacourt on loan from Inter Milan until the end of the season.

Dacourt, who is already familiar with English football from spells at Everton and Leeds, has found himself out of favour since the arrival of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at the San Siro.

That led to speculation about a possible third stint in the Barclays Premier League, and former Inter boss Roy Hodgson has moved quickly to tie up a short-term deal for the 34-year-old.

It has been five years since Dacourt left England, where he earned a reputation as a hard-tackling midfielder.

The club have also agreed a contract extension with skipper Danny Murphy on a busy deadline day at Craven Cottage.

The former Liverpool midfielder, whose goal on the final day of last season ensured the Cottagers retained their Premier League status, is now tied to the club until the end of next summer.

The Cottagers have also agreed a deal to keep Coventry winger Julian Gray at the club until the end of the season.

Gray, a former Crystal Palace and Birmingham player, initially joined the club in September and made his Cottagers debut in the FA Cup third-round victory over Sheffield Wednesday on January 3.

The 29-year-old has yet to feature in the top flight but will now get the chance to feature for Roy Hodgson's side in their Barclays Premier League run-in.

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