FC Twente have signed Iraq midfielder Nashat Akram on a three-year contract. The 24-year-old, who already has 75 caps to his name, joins as a free agent from Al-Gharafa of Qatar and will officially become a Twente player after the Confederations Cup in June.

Akram, who had a trial with Manchester City last season, told the Twente website: "This is a dream come true, to play in Europe. FC Twente is a good club with a big coach.

"I want to develop further at FC Twente and grow together with the club."

Coach Steve McClaren added: "We've been following Nashat for a year. He's a young and very talented player, who has bags of experience given his age."