Confirmed transfers 2012/13

[King Binny]

Ryan Nelsen - QPR (free transfer)

Queens Park Rangers Football Club can confirm it has reached agreement with defender Ryan Nelsen on an initial one-year deal.

The 34 year-old's contract will commence on July 1st following the conclusion of his contract with Tottenham Hotspur.

This is the second time Nelsen will have been signed by Mark Hughes, after the QPR Manager originally brought him to Blackburn Rovers in 2005.

Nelsen, who has made more than 170 Premier League appearances and will Captain New Zealand at this summer's London Olympics, told www.qpr.co.uk: "I am really pleased to be joining QPR.

"I have obviously got a lot of history with the Manager and that was a massive draw for me.

"I like his winning attitude. He and all his staff just have an absolute desire to win, and that's what the Premier League is all about.

"If you haven't got that, you won't be successful.

"The owners have got fantastic ambition and it's exciting to become a part of that. There's a real buzz about the place and it is a privilege to be here.

"I have got the Olympics coming up and that will be a good way for me to get prepared."

Hughes added: "I am delighted to bring Ryan to the Club. I know what he is all about and what he can offer us, both on and off the pitch.

"He hasn't played a lot of football in the past year or so but he is fit, raring to go, and looking forward to representing his country at the Olympics.

"Ryan has got great experience in the Premier League and that is something our squad is lacking a little bit at present.

"He's a fantastic professional with a great work ethic and it will benefit the younger lads in the group to see how he goes about his work."

Andrew Johnson - QPR (free transfer)

Queens Park Rangers Football Club is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with striker Andrew Johnson on a two-year deal.

The 31 year-old's contract will commence on July 1st following the conclusion of his current deal with West London neighbours Fulham.

The move to Loftus Road will reunite 'AJ' with former Cottagers boss Mark Hughes, as well as R's front-man Bobby Zamora, whom he enjoyed such a profitable partnership with at Craven Cottage.

Johnson has a proven track record in English football, having netted a remarkable 147 goals in all competitions, scoring at a rate of one goal in every three appearances throughout his career.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Johnson - who has eight England senior caps to his name - expressed his delight at joining the R's.

"I've worked closely with Mark before and there are also players here that I've played with previously, including Bobby Zamora and Shaun Derry," he said.

"Those were factors in me joining, but this is a big, big Club and I've spoken to the Chairman and Mark, who both have great ambition for QPR, and it's something that I wanted to be a part of."

Johnson added: "Mark was brilliant when I was at Fulham. I'd just come off the back of a rough spell with a knee injury and he guided and helped me through that period.

"He was great to play under. He's a top a Manager and has some fantastic staff around him.

"Being an ex-player, he knows what players want and expect. He's excellent with the players. He speaks to them and he's on the same level as them.

"He said it'd be great to team up again and that he was thrilled about the possibility of me joining QPR.

"He told me about the plans for a new training ground and how the Club wants to go forward. That really excited me."

 

[Modo]

So we're still window shopping?

 

[King Binny]

Steve Clarke - WBA (Manager)

Clarke has lifted the lid on his first full week in the job.

"One of the first things I did was have a meeting with all the scouts just to see which players the club have been looking at over the last six months to a year," he said.

"I've got lots of reports to read through and lots of DVDs to watch. I've been spending a lot of time going through them.

"There have been some long days already but it's all part of the job."

Clarke also believes his appointment is a good fit for both parties.

"One of the things that sold this job to me is that there is a fantastic structure already in place," he added.

"There are great coaches, a really strong medical setup and the sports science side is really good.

"The training facilities are also fantastic. Dan Ashworth has done a great job in putting that structure in place.

"For me coming in as a head coach, and my first role as a No.1, it is a real comfort to have that structure behind me."

STEVE Clarke is ready to adopt a ruthless streak as he prepares to embark on his first pre-season as Albion's head coach.

The 48-year-old, who will be officially unveiled to the media today, has enjoyed an illustrious coaching career with Newcastle, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool before being named Baggies boss ten days ago.

Clarke believes operating as a No.1 will be a different kettle of fish to assisting a manager or coaching - admitting there can be no more 'Mr Nice' guy.

However, he claims the ten years he has spent working in the Barclays Premier League alongside the likes of Jose Mourinho, Sir Bobby Robson and Kenny Dalglish means he is well versed for the extra responsibility.

"I think I will need to be a bit more selfish now I'm a head coach - I'll have to be very clear with my ideas," admitted Clarke, whose first competitive game in charge will be at home to previous employers Liverpool.

"I will also have to be a bit more ruthless.

"When you're the assistant, you can be nice to almost everybody.

"But as a head coach, even though you want to be nice to everybody, at the end of the day, you can only pick 11 players plus seven substitutes.

"There is always going to be a number of players who are not particularly happy that they're not in the team for whatever reason.

"That's something I'll have to deal with - but it's something I'm comfortable with and ready for."

The former Scotland international brings footballing principles into the job that are in sync with the Albion tradition.

"I think my philosophy at any team I've coached has always been to try and get the ball down and play good football," he said.

"You want to entertain the public as much as you can, so if we can add some really good attacking football to the solid defence we already have, that would be an ideal scenario.

"I've always tried to entertain the public and this job will be no exception."

Despite being appointed in the middle of the players' summer break, Clarke has managed to speak to '95 per cent' of his squad ahead of their return to pre-season training early next month.

"I've had a fantastic response from the players," he revealed.

"I've been respectful of trying not to interrupt them while they're on holiday, or working really hard for their countries in Poland and Ukraine, so I sent out a text message to introduce myself, asking if they would be free to talk for a couple of minutes.
"I've now spoken to almost everybody. It was really just a chat to say hello and to tell the lads I'm looking forward to seeing them at the start of pre-season training."

 

[King Binny]

Oliver Kirch - Borussia Dortmund (Reported 500k)

Borussia Dortmund have signed Oliver Kirch from Kaiserslautern on a two-year contract until the summer of 2014. The 29-year-old has made 125 appearances in the Bundesliga (four goals) for Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arminia Bielefeld and Kaiserslautern.

"We are very happy about this transfer. Oliver is versatile in both defence and midfield, has a lot of experience and a very positive character," said BVB sporting director Michael Zorc.

Oliver Kirch has become the third addition to the German double champions´ squad following the captures of Marco Reus from Borussia Mönchengladbach and Leonardo Bittencourt from Energie Cottbus.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

So we're still window shopping?

For the first time today, PATIENCE!!!

 

[SummerOnions]

SSN breaking news

Arsenal sign Giroud

Can't see anything anywhere Fabs, is it definite?

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Can't see anything anywhere Fabs, is it definite?

From Footy365.com:

The 25-year-old was the joint top-scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 21 goals and was instrumental in his side claim the league title.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would have also been impressed with his all-round play which led to him providing nine assists for his team-mates.

Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin had claimed earlier this year that it would take 50 or 60 million euros to prise the striker away.

However, his stance over the striker who is currently away on international duty with France at Euro 2012 appears to have relented.

Giroud will become Arsenal's second signing of the close season after Lukas Podolski once the deal is completed.

I think RvP is gone ...

 

[737Max]

It's on the ticker tape scroll at the bottom of the screen. If it's true they've got him for £12m then
A: It's a steal
B: Van Persie is definitely off

 

[Fabio]

Cheers lads


I was watching SSN when they said it.

 

[SummerOnions]

Ah cheers, i don't have SSN but there was nothing on the BBC so was hoping they were wrong!

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Ah cheers, i don't have SSN but there was nothing on the BBC so was hoping they were wrong!

Why? It probably signals RvP is moving on (which weakens them) and how good is Giroud? Will he, and Podolski, be able to replace what RvP bought the Gooners?

 

[SummerOnions]

I suspect it will be similar to them selling Henry and buying 4 good players or so in that respect, they have a good knack of selling their top striker and doing well in the process.

 

[Hansern]

Its his release clause, so hardly a steal. Good price for him but everyone would have gotten him for that price.

RVP is gone.

 

[King Binny]

I suspect it will be similar to them selling Henry and buying 4 good players or so in that respect, they have a good knack of selling their top striker and doing well in the process.

Yeah, if the goal burden gets shared, at least they won't fall prey to the one man club tag - which was very much the case last season. I'm surprised to find out that RvP's turning 29 too. Looks can be deceiving.

 

[King Binny]

Julio Velázquez - Villarreal (Manager)

Villarreal CF B manager who finished 12th out of 22 in Segunda Division for 2011/12.

 

[King Binny]

Adam Drury - Leeds United (free transfer)

Norwich City defender Adam Drury has agreed a deal to join Leeds United from July 1.

The experienced left back will join on a two-year contract next month after agreeing a deal to become Neil Warnock's second signing of the summer.

The 33-year-old, who was rewarded with a testimonial match against Celtic at Carrow Road in May, arrives with a wealth of experience, having made over 350 appearances for the Canaries.

Adam was a member of the Norwich side which won back to back promotions from League One to the Premier League and he made 16 appearances last term, the majority coming in the second half of the campaign.

Adam is out of contract at Norwich this summer and the United manager says he is delighted to welcome the left back to his squad.

"From July 1 he will be our player and he's a player I've looked at for many years," said the boss.

"He's a very good professional. I think he's a good defender, he's quick and I thought we needed a bit of experience in certain places, and that desire and will. And with Adam you know what you're going to get.

"I'm delighted to have him. He's got the experience we need. He played 16 times for Norwich last season and he's better than a lot of full backs in the Premier League.

"He's a good lad. That's half the battle as well. It gives us a good mix because we've got young Pearcey on that side as well so we can put that to bed now and move on to a different area.

"When you speak to him he's full of enthusiasm and when you get released from a club you want to prove people wrong.

"There's a few times I've wanted to kick him over the years! We've always had a rapport when my teams have played against him and I think he knows I've always respected him.

"I tried to sign him at Sheffield United a few years back and it wasn't to be, but I've kept my eye on him ever since. He'll love it here. You can't play with fear at Elland Road and I think Adam will enjoy that part."

Adam joins former Portsmouth captain Jason Pearce in becoming the club's second summer recruit.

Björn Sigurdarson - Wolves (reportedly £2.4million)

Wolves have reached agreement with Norwegian Premier League club Lillestrom to sign Icelandic international striker Björn Sigurdarson.

The four-year deal is subject to agreeing personal terms and Sigurdarson passing a medical after arriving at Molineux next month.

The 21-year-old striker will stay with Lillestrom for their next three fixtures, and is set to travel to Wolverhampton after the game with Tromso on July 13.

The fee agreed with the Norwegian Premier League Club will, in line with club policy, remain undisclosed.

"I am very pleased that an agreement has been reached for us to sign Björn," says boss Ståle Solbakken.

"He is an exciting young prospect who has the quality to help us achieve our aims both in the short and long term.

"We look forward to the deal being completed next month after which Björn will be able to join us as we prepare for the new season."

CEO Jez Moxey added: "We are pleased to have reached agreement with Lillestrom which will see Björn become a Wolves player, subject to agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

"Negotiations have been slightly more complex than usual due to the Norwegian League being halfway through the season, but as a result of extensive discussions we now have an agreement.

"Björn is a young and exciting striker and has been very keen to join us, particularly to work with our new manager Ståle Solbakken."

Sigurdarson has been viewed as an exciting talent on the Scandinavian football scene with plenty of potential, and has been in particularly good form in the first part of the Norwegian season, scoring seven goals in 11 appearances.

A half brother to former Wolves midfielder Joey Gudjonsson, Sigurdarson made his senior international debut for Iceland against Cyprus in September of last year.

 

[King Binny]

Sebastian Giovinco - Juventus (remaining 50% ownership, €11m)

Parma have confirmed the sale of their half of Sebastian Giovinco back to Juventus, for a fee of €11m.

Reports emerged today that the two clubs who co-owned the 25-year-old star had reached an agreement for the Gialloblu to hand over their 50 per cent, claims later backed up by the player’s agent.

The news is now official, as Parma released a statement via their official website, announcing the transfer.

It represents a return to Turin for Giovinco after two years with the Ducali. The attacking midfielder is a product of Juve’s youth system and has already made 37 appearances for the outfit. Giovinco netted 22 goals and assisted a further 14 in 64 League appearances for Parma.

Emanuele Giaccherini - Juventus (remaining 50% ownership, €4.25m)

Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that it has terminated in its favour the current player sharing agreement with Cesena S.p.A. (ex art. 102 bis N.O.I.F.) concerning the registration rights of the player Emanuele Giaccherini. The sum for the termination has been set at € 4.25 million that will be paid by Juventus in the next two football seasons.

The contract of employment signed by the player will last until 30 June 2015.

 

[irishred]

Italy's first team have a good base of players from Juventus which bodes well for the national side.

Buffon (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Bonucci (Juventus), Giaccherni (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Pirlo (Juventus), Thiago Motta (PSG), Maggio (Napoli), Cassano (AC MIlan), Balotelli (Man City).

Then Giovinco and Barzagli who have also came into the team, either as a substitute or in their game against Ireland.

 

[King Binny]

Tomasz Kuszczak - Brighton (free transfer)

Albion have signed goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak on a free transfer following his release from Manchester United - with the Polish international agreeing a deal with the Seagulls from 1st July.

The 30-year-old has agreed a two-year deal and brings to the Amex Stadium a wealth of experience following spells in the top-flight at both West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United, making over 60 appearances for the former Premier League champions.

Last season he enjoyed a fruitful spell in the Championship on loan at Watford and Albion boss Gus Poyet is delighted to have won the race for the in-demand Polish international.

He told seagulls.co.uk, "There were clubs in England and abroad interested in Tomasz, but it says a lot for the ambition of this club that he wanted to sign for Brighton.

"We had been tracking his progress for some time and he will provide real competition to both Casper Ankergren and Peter Brezovan for the goalkeeper's jersey this coming season - and that can only be a good thing for the team moving forward."

Kuszczak started his career as a youth player at Slask Wroclaw in his homeland before moving to lower league German outfit Uerdingen in 1999.

He then signed for Bundesliga outfit Hertha BSC two years later but having failed to make a single first-team appearance, he moved to The Hawthorns in 2004.

Catching the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson towards the end of his first season, Kuszczak moved to Manchester United for £2.1m in July 2007 after a season on loan at Old Trafford.

 

[localny]

Parma have confirmed the sale of their half of Sebastian Giovinco back to Juventus, for a fee of €11m.

Sold half of him?!

Also did Steve Clark smile?

 

[Jack D Rips]

RTE reporting Diame to West Ham and Drogba to somewhere in China

 

[Athens]

RTE reporting Diame to West Ham and Drogba to somewhere in China

Yes Drogba has went to China on a two and a half year contract.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has signed for Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Drogba, 34, said: "I considered all the offers I have received in the past few weeks, but feel Shanghai Shenhua is the right move for me at this time."

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Juve are buying some really good players this summer. They'll be very difficult to unseat in Serie A and one of the favorites for the CL.

 

[Hansern]

Can see them going for RVP aswell

 

[King Binny]

Gaetan Charbonnier - Montpellier

Daniel Congré - Montpellier

French champions Montpellier have moved to strengthen their squad ahead of their title defence by signing Toulouse defender Daniel Congre and Angers striker Gaetan Charbonnier on Wednesday.

Both players arrive under freedom of contract and have signed four-year deals, the club confirmed.

Centre-back Congre, 27, was the captain of Toulouse, where he started his career and went on to make 201 top-flight appearances.

Charbonnier, 23, scored 12 goals in the second tier for Angers last season and has yet to appear in the top flight.

The latter is likely to replace Olivier Giroud up front, with the France international expected to leave the Stade de la Mosson after Euro 2012.

 

[Modo]

Montpellier continues signing players from Ligue 2. Hopefully it'll work out like it did last time with Giroud.

 

[King Binny]

Marvin Martin - Lille (reportedly €10 million)

"I'm really happy. I wanted to sign for Lille because it is an ambitious club that has interested me for a long time.

"There is also the ambition to play in the next Champions League. I look forward to the play-offs because I have not had the chance to participate in this competition.

"Lille is a great team, arguably one of the best in the game. That is certainly what I thought when I've faced them in previous seasons.

"And I like them a lot because they practise a style of play focused on attack, which suits me. I hope to bring my expertise, but also to continue to learn."

 

[King Binny]

Sebastian Giovinco - Juventus (remaining 50% ownership, €11m)

Parma have retracted an earlier statement on their official website confirming the transfer of Sebastian Giovinco to Juventus.

Reports through the day have pointed to the expected completion today or tomorrow of Juve’s €11m purchase of Parma’s 50 per cent stake in the player, whilst the 25-year-old’s agent also confirmed that the deal is practically complete.

A statement on the Ducali’s official site looked to have rubberstamped the deal, but as a later statement confirmed, it was posted in error.

“Parma announce that contrary to what appeared for a few seconds on their official website, they have not reached an agreement with Juventus for their share of Sebastian Giovinco.

“Fcparma.com apologises for the incorrect statement.”

 

[King Binny]

Mohamed Diame - West Ham (free transfer)

West Ham United are delighted to confirm that the club have reached an agreement to sign Senegal international midfielder Mohamed Diame.

Diame has agreed terms on a three-year contract and will become a West Ham United player on 1 July after his contract with Wigan Athletic expires.

The 25-year-old dynamic midfielder is highly-rated and was being pursued by a number of clubs in the Premier League and abroad. He decided to move to the Boleyn Ground though after meeting manager Sam Allardyce in London this week.

Diame will meet up with his new team-mates at Chadwell Heath on 1 July for the Hammers' first day of pre-season training before flying out on the club's trip to Austria the following day. The 6'1" midfielder will compete with the likes of Kevin Nolan, Gary O'Neil, Jack Collison and reigning Hammer of the Year Mark Noble for a spot in Allardyce's midfield.

Diame began his career with Racing Club de Lens in France, before moving to CD Linares and then Rayo Vallenco in Spain. His big move to the Premier League followed in 2009 and he made an immediate impression with a strong performance on his debut against Manchester United just hours after signing.

Diame, who becomes West Ham's third summer signing after Stephen Henderson and Jussi Jaaskelainen, is eagerly anticipating the new challenge awaiting him in east London. He said: "I'm very happy and very excited to have joined the club and I'm looking forward to the start of the season.

"I know the fans here get behind the team all the time and I'm looking forward to showing everybody what I can do on the pitch."

Allardyce was understandably pleased to have secured a deal to bring Diame to the Boleyn Ground. He said: "His potential is really good and he's ready to go and compete in the first team straight away as he's had three years in the Premier League already.

"He's 25 and can only get better and I hope he can go on to prove that to me and all of the West Ham United fans. He will be a very exciting addition to the squad."

 

[Hansern]

Marvin Martin for 10 mill is a great deal