Babel joins Fulham from Besiktas

Fulham have completed the signing of former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel from Besiktas.

The 32-year-old Netherlands international, who made 146 appearances during his three-and-a-half year spell at Anfield, has signed a deal until the end of the season.

The Cottagers are second bottom of the Premier League after Claudio Ranieri's side lost 2-1 at fellow relegation-battlers Burnley on Saturday.

The Dutch forward is relishing the challenges ahead at Craven Cottage.

"My first impressions are good and I'm very excited," he told fulhamfctv.

"I definitely have faith that Fulham can stay up. That's one of the reasons that I'm here, to try and help that to happen. I'm ready to go, I'm excited and I can't wait."

Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan said: "Ryan has excelled at playing attacking football on both the club and international stage, and we welcome that experience as we build our squad for a strong second-half push."

Babel, who has 54 international caps to his credit has also played for Ajax, Hoffenheim, Kasimpasa, Al Ain and Deportivo de La Coruna.