The 24-year-old Algeria international brings a wealth of experience to Bloomfield Road, having joined Fulham for £3m from Watford two years ago.

He has signed on a one-year deal with the option of a further year.

Last season the Cottagers loaned him out to Charlton and Birmingham, and he played for both in Championship matches at Blackpool.

Ian Holloway will be delighted to snare a player he rates highly.

Bouazza is exactly the type of player Holloway wants – a winger who can add pace and skill on the flanks, and supply crosses for his frontmen.

Bouazza's recent history is slightly odd – he spent just five days at Turkish club Sivasspor last month before asking to leave and having his contract cancelled.

His only appearance for them was in the 3-0 defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League play-off round.

But there are no doubts about his quality, and he is of the right age too – Holloway has stated that he wants to sign players who are under 26 and have the potential to improve.

Bouazza, who can play on either flank but prefers to hug the left touchline, came through the ranks at Watford, scoring eight goals in 83 League appearances.

He has made 20 Premier League appearances for Fulham but was hit by a shoulder injury after a positive start.

Having signed a season-long loan deal at Charlton, he was recalled in January only to move on to Birmingham for the rest of the season.
Pool have been working hard on the deal for the past week and will seal it today.

Bouazza won't link up with his new team-mates until next week – he's heading off on international duty with Algeria, who play Zambia on Saturday.

Holloway will try and add another face, believed to be from Europe, to his squad ahead of today's 5pm deadline – but said that if he doesn't succeed it won't be for the want of trying.

"I've got loads of things in mind but I can't really share too many of them at this stage," said the boss.

"I have had so many irons in so many fires that I am sick of it. My blacksmith is going to retire.

"I am going to put my head in the bucket and steam will come off it, just like those hot irons. I'll be glad when it is over.

"But it doesn't affect us as badly as if affects the Premier League teams, who can't do any transfers after today.

"We can still do loans and that will become easier after today because the Premier League boys will know who they have got and who they are willing to loan out.

"But as I've said all along, I am very pleased with the group I've got here and have been ever since I arrived.

"I believe they are a special group. I believe what they have achieved in the past is very special, and I want to help them by adding to them to help them."

Bouazza will wear the number 16 shirt at Bloomfield Road.

Pool have remained in touch with Leicester about striker DJ Campbell but are very unlikely to bring last season's loan favourite back to Bloomfield Road.