Falkirk sign French midfielder Toufik Zerara

Published on Wednesday 9 December 2009 12:52

FALKIRK have finally completed the signing of French midfielder Toufik Zerara on a short-term deal.

• Toufik Zerara

The 23-year-old has signed a one-month contract after international clearance came through from the United Arab Emirates.

The former France Under-20 international has been at Falkirk for about a month following the expiry of his contract at Al Dhafra, who he joined after spells with Sochaux and Belgian side Germinal Beerschot.

Falkirk manager Eddie May told the club's official website: "This short-term agreement gives me the opportunity to assess Toufik further and decide whether or not to keep him at the club for a longer period.

"He has good defensive qualities in midfield and has impressed both the staff and the players with his training performances."

Confirmation of Zerara's signing comes after Falkirk secured a pre-contract deal with former Portsmouth and West Brom trainee Jack Compton.

The 21-year-old winger will join Falkirk in January from Blue Square South side Weston-super-Mare.

"We brought Jack in on trial after he came to the attention of our scouting team," May said.

"I was impressed with him immediately and feel that he could be an important player for us in the future.

"His delivery into the box is excellent and he has good pace.

"Jack plays in a position that I wanted to strengthen, Danijel Marceta will likely go back to Partizan Belgrade at the end of the season.

"However, had we waited until the end of the season, we would have lost out on Jack as there were a growing number of English clubs taking interest in him."