Fulham snapped up Croatian international Mladen Petric after the striker was released by German club Hamburg.

Fulham coach Martin Jol is well aware of Petric's qualities, having worked with the 31-year-old during the Dutchman's time at Hamburg in 2008-09. Petric signed a one-year deal with the London club and leaves Hamburg after scoring 38 goals in a four-year spell.

"I like the Premier League and it has always been one of my wishes to come here," Petric told the Fulham's official website.

"I played with Hamburg against the club two years ago in the Europa League.

"It was very nice to play at Craven Cottage with a fantastic crowd and I have enjoyed a good relationship with every member of the club I have met since.

"I'm very happy to be part of what is happening at Fulham.

"The club is doing very well and that was why I decided to come here.

"I know the manager well and I know that he is always looking to strengthen his attacking options and I hope that we can do even better next season."

Meanwhile, Birmingham City have rejected a £6 million bid from Southampton for highly-rated goalkeeper Jack Butland.

Butland was called up to the England squad for Euro 2012 after John Ruddy was ruled out due to injury and is seen as one of the country's most promising goalkeepers.

Newly appointed Birmingham manager Lee Clarke said he is looking forward to working with Butland, who will be the Great Britain team's first-choice 'keeper at the Olympics, pointing to the fact that Birmingham plan to keep him for next season.

"I know how good Jack Butland is and I think he can push Joe Hart all the way to be the England No 1.

"It's a great kudos for the club for him to be going to the Olympics. We are all proud and hope he comes back super-confident.

"Playing at the Olympics will put him in the shop window, but you can't hide good players. It will have to be big numbers for us to even consider selling him. As far as I'm concerned, he will start the season here."

Wigan chief executive defended his club's decision to let go of their all-time Premier League goal-scorer Hugo Rodallega for free after deciding not to sell him in the January transfer window. Rodallega, who struggled last season with just two goals, was linked with moves to Arsenal and Liverpool last summer.

"For any transfer to take place, there has to be agreement with three parties," Jackson told the Wigan Evening Post.

"Both clubs and the player have to want the deal to happen, and we never achieved that with regards to Hugo.

"We moved on, and Hugo was our player for the rest of the season. At the time it was the right decision, and that remains the case."

Rodallega, this summer, has attracted the attention of the likes of Stoke City, Aston Villa and Celtic.