Aimen Belaïd joins the Millers...
Rotherham United have completed the signing of Tunisian international Aïmen Belaïd from Bulgarian side Levski Sofia.
The central defender has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Millers and becomes the second arrival during the January transfer window following the loan signing of Shay Facey from Manchester City.
The Paris-born defender has made his name in Bulgaria after spells with Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Levski Sofia, making over 50 appearances for the latter.
“Aïmen is certainly a talented individual,” Rotherham United manager Neil Redfearn told www.themillers.co.uk
“He has a good pedigree, after playing for one or two clubs across Europe, and he also has fantastic athleticism which is something that will help us.
“He is technically a very good footballer, he is good on the ball and he can play at centre-back, left-back and in midfield.
“He will add to some really strong competition for the first-team and he is someone who comes in at a time when we need strengthening.”
The 27-year-old has experience of playing right across Europe after spells in Czech Republic, France and Bulgaria.
He made his international debut for Tunisia in 2012.
Redfearn continued:
“He has played international football so he has appeared at the highest level.
“His game management and temperament is going to be good, you don’t become an international footballer if you cannot handle that environment.
“From our point of view he is someone who is more than capable of going in and making an impact straight away.”
The addition of both Facey and Belaïd has bolstered Redfearn’s defensive options which have been hit by injuries in recent weeks.
The Millers manager is pleased with how his backline is now shaping up, as he wastes no time in strengthening his hand in the January transfer window.
“We have got good competition now at the back, and what it does is give us some more balance and pace,” he added.
“Both Aïmen and Shay are quick which is obviously something that is going to help us going forward, and we are looking to strengthen in other areas as well.”