Wolves complete signing of Comoros winger

Wolves have completed the signing of winger Rafiki Said.

The 26-year-old has agreed a three-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, and joins from Belgian side Standard Liege in a £7.7million deal.

The left winger moved to Belgium last year from French side Troyes and scored eight times last season, as he now makes the switch to the Championship.

Chairman Nathan Shi said: “We have been very clear about the areas in which we need to improve the squad. Adding more pace and attacking threat has been a priority, and strengthening our options on the wing has always been central to our plans.

“We are therefore very pleased to have completed the signing of Rafiki during the first week of pre-season. It was important for us that he could join the group immediately for the training camp in Portugal, giving him as much time as possible to settle, understand the demands of the coaching staff and integrate with his new team-mates.

“Both the coaching team and our technical department have a strong belief in Rafiki’s qualities. Our preparations for the new season are progressing steadily and according to plan, and we believe he is very well suited to Cesar’s playing model, while also reflecting the strategic direction in which we want to continue evolving the squad.”

The Wolves players returned to pre-season training at the beginning of this week and will soon leave for Portugal for a training camp.

Said will now join them on that trip after sealing his Wolves move.

Head coach Cesar Peixoto said: “I’m happy because Rafiki’s a good player and he can help us improve the team. He’s a fast player and one versus one running is a very important characteristic for us, so he’s one player more to help us build a big family and team to fight.

“He wanted to come as soon as possible. He’s a very humble player, very hardworking, and has the hunger to be a success at Wolves, to be a success in football. He has the mentality I want in the team, and it was important that he came to us.

“In terms of physicality, he’s a strong guy, he’s quick and athletic. He has the capacity, the quality and the mentality to adapt and help the team to improve, to win games and do things in the right way.”

Technical director Matt Jackson added: “Cesar had a clear idea from an early stage of the type of players he wanted, and we explored a number of options together. Rafiki quickly emerged as one of our priority targets, so I’m delighted we’ve been able to get the deal done.

“He should work really well for us, he’s got a big smile, very enthusiastic, and is a player that I've been aware of since I went to Grasshoppers. I’ve got a really good idea of how our team's going to operate, and Rafiki certainly fits the athletic and attacking profile that we require.

“We've still got very, very good players left here, and anybody that you can integrate as quickly as possible into that, the better, hence bringing Rafiki’s transfer forward to this point, before we go to Portugal.”