CHARLTON took their summer spending to £12 million with the signing of Senegal international central defender Souleymane Diawara for £3.7million from French Championnat club Sochaux.

The fee is a club record for a defender and the 27-year-old is expected to make his Premier League debut at Chelsea on Saturday, September 9.

After announcing the signing at yesterday’s press conference at Lingfield Park racecourse, Charlton plc chairman Richard Murray confirmed the club were still in the market for a midfielder and were hoping to clinch another signing before tonight’s closure of the transfer window.

Mr Murray refused to confirm or deny that the club had agreed a loan deal with Uruguay international midfielder Omar Pouso who scored a spectacular goal for his country against England at Anfield in March.

"This is the busiest and most expensive summer I’ve known in my time as chairman," said Mr Murray. "Iain Dowie, our manager, wanted a defender who fitted the description of being tall, fast, aggressive and experienced.

"We believe we have delivered that player to him in Souleyman, who has long wanted to play in the Premier League."

Diawara arrives at a time when Charlton are critically short of central defenders. Hermann Hreidarsson is about to start a three-match suspension following his dismissal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bolton, Gonzalo Sorondo has fractured a bone in his back while Jonathan Fortune is nursing a broken toe.

"Like all footballers in the world, I know that the Premiership is the best league. That is why I wanted to come here and test myself," said Diawara.

"I heard a rumour a few weeks ago that Charlton were interested and the next minute they made a move for me.

"I know Amady Faye well because we play international football for Senegal. I also know Djimi Traore, who speaks French, and other faces like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Darren Bent."

Asked about the prospect of making his debut at Chelsea, he added: "That’s one of the reasons I have come to England to play in big games like that. I’m not afraid, I’m looking forward to it."