Louis Saha signs with injury hit Lazio

French striker Louis Saha has joined Serie A club Lazio, as the former international provides cover for Miroslav Klose who is set to be out of action for two months with a knee injury, the club announced on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old, who enjoyed four years of success with Manchester United between 2004 and 2008, which led to his international call-up, was released by Premier League outfit Sunderland last month, meaning he is free to join a new club outside the transfer window which expired last week.

The team have reached the Italian Cup final and are currently third in Serie A as they cling to the final Champions League qualifying spot.

However they have since lost German star Klose, as well as 37-year-old veteran Cristian Brocchi who is out for the season with a broken toe.

The much-travelled Saha began his career with French side Metz before moving onto spells with Newcastle, Fulham, United, Everton, Tottenham and most recently Sunderland.

He was also in United's squad that defeated Chelsea on penalties in the 2008 Champions League final, although he made no appearance in the Moscow-hosted finale.

In a career that has been hit by a series of injuries, Saha scored four times in 20 matches for France and was in the squad that played at Euro 2004 before reaching the 2006 World Cup final where they were beaten on penalties by Italy in Berlin.