English Premier League strugglers Fulham are close to signing veteran Finnish playmaker Jari Litmanen, the Finnish Football Federation (FFF) said on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old Litmanen will undergo trials with the London club after being contacted by their new manager Roy Hodgson, formerly in charge of the Finland national side.

"Jari has been working hard lately and he is fighting fit," Hodgson was quoted as saying by the FFF website.

Litmanen, who termimated his contract with Swedish first division side Malmo in August of last year, is to arrive in the English capital on Wednesday. He has been capped 110 times for his country and has scored 28 goals.

He previously played in the Premier League for Liverpool havng joined from Ajax, with whom he won the UEFA Champions League in 1995.