REUTERS — Fulham has acted quickly to replace Louis Saha by signing United States striker Brian McBride, the English premier league club said Tuesday.

McBride agreed to a two-and-a-half year contract with the London club, which is eager to replace Saha, the French striker who is expected to complete a move to Manchester United later this week.

Fulham manager Chris Coleman believes McBride, who has played in English football during loan spells at Everton and Preston North End, will be able to cover for the loss of Saha.

“Brian is a great talent who can combine assisting attacking play as well as getting his fair share of goals,” Coleman told the Fulham website.

“He has superb aerial ability and has already proved he can perform each week at the highest level. His experience of the Premiership will also prove a valuable asset to us in the coming months.”

McBride, who chose Fulham over premier league rivals Blackburn Rovers, said in a statement, “This has been a difficult two weeks and a very tough decision. Over the past four years, there has been a lot of talk of me leaving. I felt it was the right opportunity.”

McBride spent eight years with Columbus, scoring 62 goals, and has earned 67 international caps.

He has appeared in two World Cups with the national team, scoring twice as the U.S. reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 tournament.