Ali Al Habsi Bio Send To Friend  

Signed as an understudy to the club's first choice keeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Al Habsi has had little first team experience aside from as an unused substitute.

However, with Jaaskelainen turning down the offer of a contract ahead of the 2007/08 season extension the highly-rated Al Habsi could be set to take the starting place between the sticks.

Al Habsi enjoyed a successful period in Norway after joining Lyn in 2002, quickly establishing himself as a goalkeeper of quality and even landed the Norwegian league's Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2004.

Also in 2004 the Oman international, considered to be the best 'keeper in Asian football', was named Arab Goalkeeper of the Year.

By signing his three-and-a-half-year contract with Bolton, Al Habsi became the first Oman international to join a Premiership club.

He had to wait some time for his Bolton debut but, after playing against Fulham in the Carling Cup, he came against no less than Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup and put up quite a display, such that when Jaaskelainen was injured, Al Habsi played 16 times during the 2007/8 season. He was linked with a move to Galatasaray after some fine showings but chose to stay with Bolton.