THERE are mixed feelings at Charlton after clinching the signing of Morocco international Talal El Karkouri while on the same day bidding farewell to promising on-loan striker Carlton Cole.

Manager Alan Curbishley attempted to make up for a double retirement blow to his defence by snapping up El Karkouri. The Addicks lost Richard Rufus six weeks ago Gary Rowett was forced to call time on his career because of a knee injury last week.

So the signing of El Karkouri, who has 26 international caps, from Paris St Germain will be important as he vies for a starting berth with Mark Fish, Jonathan Fortune and Chris Perry.

“I spoke with Alan Curbishley and he gave me the confidence that Charlton would be a great club to join,” said the 28-year-old, who played nine times on loan at Sunderland in 2002/03.

“I had heard a lot of good things about him, and people in Europe know what he has done at the club. He has been here for 12 or 13 years and has achieved a lot with his players and I hope I will improve here.

“Charlton did well last season but unfortunately there were a few bad results towards the end. But if you ask any player here they will tell you that we want to play in the Champions League. I don’t see why we can’t finish at least in the top five.”

But after a long time with one of Europe’s major forces - former team-mates include Ronaldinho and Jay Jay Okocha, while he played alongside recent £6m Manchester United recruit Gabriel Heinze last season - he did not want to take a step down.

He added: “When you have played for Paris St Germain you have to play for another big club, and that’s what I’m doing."

Meanwhile, Cole ended weeks of speculation over his future by signing for Aston Villa in a season-long loan. He joined Charlton on a two-year loan as part of the deal that took Scott Parker to Chelsea.

Although the 20-year-old’s goals helped Charlton finish seventh, he found himself in trouble with the club through his poor time keeping for training and was fined.

Confirmation of Cole’s departure leaves Chelsea owing Charlton a player under the terms of the Parker deal. This will increase speculation that England midfielder Joe Cole could play a season on loan at The Valley.