Madjid "Magic" Bougherra was signed from Sheffield Wednesday in January 2007 after some protracted negotiations between Alan Pardew and whoever was in charge of Sheffield Wednesday at that time.
Born on 7 October 1982 – the day that Cats opened on Broadway – the 6' 2" central defender was born in France and plays his international football for Algeria.
A player of huge potential who will surely benefit from playing under Alan Pardew, Bougherra's skill on the ball and willingness to run the ball out of defence will provide Charlton with more attacking options.
Oh that's right, it was Brian Laws.
Madjid recently wrote in his website...
I will never thank enough my father for all that it did for me, it followed always me and was persuaded that I was going to succeed. I thank my mother, my brothers, my sisters, my wife for their support.
My pals Makan, Nasser, Mamadou, Gary, Abdel, Kamel... and all those which I forget of my district the Fountain of Ouche, of largest with smallest.I thank for the bottom of the heart, all Algerian, courageous people and demanding but indéfectibles supporteurs.
...you can stick your fishermen and trawlers, Monsieur Cantona.
And finally, if you want to know just how good this player is, click here.
Factoid: "Charlton Defender Bougherra" is an anagram of The Aged London Crab Fuhrer