The chief executive of Shakhtar Dontesk, Sergei Palkin, has confirmed that the Ukrainian club’s Israeli winger Manor Solomon is now a Fulham player – although the 22 year-old can’t formally sign for the Premier League newcomers until August 1st under FIFA’s new rules.

Fulham and Shakhtar Donetsk had agreed a £6m deal for the outstanding Israeli international before a FIFA ruling allowed Solomon to cancel his contract with the Ukrainian outfit until the end of June 2023.

Palkin told the Athletic’s Adam Crafton:

“We had almost exchanged contracts and agreed everything but when FIFA issued this decision, they (Fulham) sent us an email to say that because of the FIFA decision, we are withdrawing our contracts and conditions and everything and we will take this player. There is completely nothing we can do to stop that. He signed a contract with them and is a Fulham player.”

Solomon was pictured watching Fulham’s Algarve Trophy victory over Nice in Faro on Saturday evening but he cannot formally be registered at present until just a few days before the start of the Premier League campaign. Palkin confirmed that Shakhtar are gearing up for a £42m legal battle with FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport as they feel the rules introduced by the game’s governing body have left them severely out of pocket.