New Fulham signing Mickael Tavares has expressed his eagerness at linking up with Martin Jol at Craven Cottage.

The 29-year-old was signed on a short-term deal on Friday after being released by Hamburg in the summer and reconnects with the Dutchman after their brief spell working together at the German club.

Tavares, a Senegal international who plays as a defensive midfielder, featured for Fulham’s Under-21 side against Chelsea Under-21s on Friday in a bid to improve his match fitness ahead of the club’s next Premier League fixture at home to Aston Villa on October 20.

“My agent called me to say he’d spoken with the coach, with Martin Jol, who I worked with in Hamburg,” the midfielder said.

“After the injury to Mahamadou Diarra, Fulham needed another player in midfield so they called me and asked me to come for a few days to see if I was fit.

“I am looking forward to working with Martin Jol again. He brought me to Hamburg but he didn’t stay for long as he moved to Ajax, so I’m very happy to see him again and I want to thank him for giving me the chance to play in the Premier League and show everybody what I can do.

“I think it’s the dream for everybody to play in the Premier League. I was at Middlesbrough in the Championship and that was a good experience but the Premier League is something else so I’m very happy to be here.

“I’m on a short-term deal so while I’m here I want to put in some good performances to try and convince people that I deserve a longer contract.”