Fulham close to Riise signing

Former Liverpool star John Arne Riise was close to sealing a return to the English Premier League on Thursday, with Fulham expected to agree a deal with Italian Serie A side Roma.

"He's coming for a medical. If that's okay we've got ourselves a very good player," said Fulham manager Martin Jol of the Norway left-back.

Riise's younger brother Bjorn Helge Riise is already on the books at Fulham and came off the bench in Thursday's Europa League first qualifying round, second leg goalless draw with NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands.

Fulham, who won the first leg 3-0, will meet the Crusaders from Northern Ireland next Thursday in the second qualifying round.