SAM Allardyce had a double cause for celebration after picking up the Manger of the Month award and then seeing his French connections producing the goods when Marseille defender Bruno Ngotty agreed to join Wanderers' Premiership bandwagon.

The former AC Milan centre-back, who has won six international caps with France, was expected to complete the switch, subject to a medical.

He joins the Reebok ranks initially on loan but with Wanderers having an option to buy him.

Having secured the deal after a week of hard negotiating with the French club, Allardyce immediately set his sights on another international - the Spanish striker Kiko, who arrived in Bolton on Wednesday and is understood to have been impressed by what he has seen.

Wanderers could face stiff competition for the 29-year-old front man, who recently looked set for a move to Lazio until the Romans surprisingly pulled out of the deal at the last minute.

Kiko's father and agent, Miguel Narvaez, says his son is "listening to several offers". He was also reported to have denied claims that he was in "negotiations" with Wanderers. That is clearly not the case. Talks might only be at the preliminary stage but Allardyce has spent time discussing the possibility of a deal with the player, who is available on a free transfer after being released by Athletico Madrid.

The manager is delighted, however, to have finally secured the quality defender he set his sights on after Wanderers won promotion in May.

He turned to 30-year-old Ngotty after three failed bids to lure Paris St Germain defender Sylvain Distin, who has since joined Newcastle United on loan.

Ngotty comes with an impressive pedigree. He made his name in eight seasons with Lyon - his home town club - before a dream move to Paris St Germain. Three years later, having helped PSG win the championship, he moved to Milan in an £8.5 million transfer.

After two seasons in Serie A, Marseille took him back to France in a £5 million deal just over a year ago but he became surplus to requirements when the club signed Frank Leboeuf from Chelsea in the summer.