Confirmed transfers 2012/13

[King Binny]

Shinji Kagawa - Manchester United (reportedly £16 million)

Manchester United announced earlier this month that an agreement with Borussia Dortmund had been reached for the transfer of Shinji Kagawa for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old Japanese midfielder has now passed a medical, obtained a UK work permit and has agreed a four-year contract commencing 1 July 2012.

Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted to be bringing the midfielder to Old Trafford. He told ManUtd.com: “Shinji is an exciting young midfielder with great skill, vision and a good eye for goal. I am delighted he has chosen to come to United. I believe he will make an impact upon the team very quickly as he is suited to United’s style of play. We are all looking forward to working with him."

Kagawa himself can't wait to get started as a Red. He told us: “This is a challenge I am really looking forward to. The Premier League is the best league in the world and Manchester United is such a massive club. This is a really exciting time for me and I can’t wait to meet the team and start playing."

 

[Fabio]

God what a smug cunt

Glad I never wanted him

 

[King Binny]

Sean Scannell - Huddersfield Town (undisclosed fee)

Simon Grayson has today agreed his first capture of the summer after tying up a three year deal for Crystal Palace winger Sean Scannell.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international will join the Terriers for an undisclosed fee subject to a medical.

The winger, who can also play upfront, made 141 appearances and scored 13 goals for the Eagles after graduating from their youth set-up in 2007.

Scannell, aged 21, qualifies to play for Ireland thanks to his father, who is from Co.Armagh. The 5'9" winger has played at every level for the Republic of Ireland from the under-17 setup to the B team. In 2007 he was awarded the Young Player of the Year award by the Football Association of Ireland.

Scannell was a key figure for Dougie Freedman's Championship team last season making 41 appearances and scoring four goals. During his time with the Eagles he won the Young Player of the Year award in 2008 and the Championship Apprentice of the Year accolade in the following season.

Town Manager Simon Grayson was pleased to secure his first signing of the summer:

"We are delighted to welcome Sean to the Club - he is a brilliant addition. We have been working hard on a number of targets and hopefully we will be able to get a few more tied up over the next couple of days," said Simon.

"He is an exciting, young, talented footballer who is very adaptable. He can play on either wing or just off the striker - he offers great options."

He added: "Despite his young age he brings bags of experience at both Championship and International level and hopefully he will be able to fulfil his potential with us. It wasn't that long ago that a lot of top class clubs were taking a look at him so we are delighted to now have him amongst our ranks."

Jordon Mutch - Cardiff City (undisclosed fee, reportedly £1 million)

Cardiff City FC are today pleased to announce the capture of highly rated midfielder Jordon Mutch from Birmingham City. A three year deal has been agreed and signed between both clubs, with paperwork also signed by Jordon this evening following his medical earlier this week.

England under 21 International Jordon, 20, was a former Derby County youth player before making the switch to St. Andrew's in 2007. Loan spells came with Hereford, Doncaster and Watford, where Jordon worked with and impressed Malky Mackay at Vicarage Road. Jordon's move to Cardiff City will reunite the pair, a deal that the 'City boss is glad to have sealed.

"I'm delighted that we've managed to bring Jordon in here at Cardiff City," Malky said. "He's a talented player who I know well, both from my time working with him back in Watford and from the progress he's made at Birmingham City.

"Jordon is a top player with great potential for a big career in the game, which we hope to see him fulfil with us here at Cardiff City. His record of playing right through from under 17s to under 21s for England is also impressive and Jordon will no doubt make a great addition to the squad that we are building here in South Wales."

New signing Jordon Mutch is looking forward to renewing his working relationship with 'City boss Malky Mackay in coming weeks. The former Birmingham City midfielder, highly regarded at St Andrew's spoke briefly of his new ambition with Cardiff City, citing Mackay as a main factor in his decision to make the move.

"Cardiff City are an ambitions club and I know Malky from my time at Watford," Jordon said to Cardiff City Player on Friday evening. "I enjoyed my time there and hopefully this season will be a good one for us. He can keep on progressing me as a player and I'm really excited by that. He's a great man and a great manager.

"I also know Don (Cowie), Tayls (Andrew Taylor) and David Kerslake here at Cardiff and I can't wait to get going. It'll be good to meet the other lads and from there have a good pre-season before we get started.

"We've got a very good stadium and I've seen on Sky Sports News the other things happening here. I'm an ambitious player and maybe after next season we can make the step up to the Premier League. It's where we want to be and where I want to play."

 

[King Binny]

Daniel Diaz - Atletico Madrid (€1 million)

Daniel Alberto 'Cata' Diaz passed a medical at the Society for Prevention FREMAP Clinic in Las Rozas on Tuesday 19th of June. The new Atletico player told the media at the door of the clinic that "I feel very happy to join a big and important club like Atletico Madrid." The defender pointed out that "the interest of Atletico comes at a good time and now I have to prove that I am ready and eager."

Regarding how Simeone was instrumental in bringing him to Atletico Madrid, 'Cata' Diaz said that "Simeone is a reference both as a coach now as hewas as a player. He is an Argentine and one I have always admired. Now I'm going to have him as a coach and I will try to use this experience to get everything he knows and learn a lot from him. His ambition and desire is contagious I also have that desire and hope everything works out well."

He comes to play his first game with Atletico Madrid, the European Super Cup. Diaz notes that "I come with a great felling and with high expectations, knowing that the squad is large and anyone can play. We must prove to the coach during training and at all times that we can play, but that's what the coach will decide."

At the medical examination, the new Atletico player completed a circuit program. Dr. Jose Maria Villalon, head of medical services of the club, accompanied the player in the tests that were performed under the supervision of Dr. Jesus Ottos, medical director of the circuit, who was accompanied by Dr. Carlos Rubio, a cardiologist. The evidence consisted of medical consultation, collection of clinical history, physical examination, abdominal ultrasound and prostate cardiology, analytical extraction, spirometry, audiometry air, genetic testing, ophthalmology, an echocardiogram and was also tested.

Dr. Villalon, head of the medical services of Club Atlético de Madrid, told the media present at the end of the medical evidence that "the player 'Cata' Diaz has passed the medical at the Society for Prevention FREMAP Clinic in Las Rozas and all tests have been very satisfactory. The player remains in very good shape, in an optimal weight. As we have seen, state-level health is excellent. He is a titan. Physically he is in very good condition. In a word, he is in full condition."

For his part, Dr. Ottos, who led the study, said that "everything went well and the player is in perfect shape."

 

[King Binny]

Cristian Rodriguez - Atletico Madrid (free transfer)

Cristian "Cebolla" Rodriguez spoke to the media at the Atletico Madrid Museum. There he saw the size of the club with the titles won over the 109 year history, including the European Super Cup, the first title he will be competing for with Atleti on the 31st of August in Monaco.

Christian recognizes that "Atletico Madrid is a big club. I had to play against them in the UEFA cup and Champions League with Porto. In Madrid and in Spain is very a nice place to play football, somewhere that anyone would like to play. The opportunity to play at Atletico Madrid came some time ago and at last I’ve completed the move. My agent had more offers but I wanted to come here and I'm very happy. "

On targets he has at Atletico Madrid, he is clear. "I would be happy to win every possible title. I know this year will be more difficult because we won the Europa League and the other teams will want to beat us because we are the champions," he said.

As for what his international team-mates from Atletico Madrid have told him, Diego Godin and Diego Forlan said that "the two Diegos spoke highly of the club. They explained how it was a great atmosphere to play in and the fans have a strong character and that I like. I hope I can get everything right."

The Uruguay international has already played alongside Radamel Falcao. "We had a good year with Falcao and won four championships. He's a great person and I am very happy to be back to play with him," he said.

The Uruguayan arrives at Atletico Madrid to add. "I consider myself a player with a great delivery, and I never give up a ball lost," he said.

On his coach, Diego Pablo Simeone, he said: "I don’t know him in person but I know Cholo spoke highly of me. I saw him as a player and he was excellent. And as a coach he has demonstrated his great ability to lead and I am very happy to work with him."

As for the red and white fans, he has already had the opportunity to see what they’re like because he signed his first autographs and took pictures with fans who were visiting the Museum. "I know the demands of the fans of Atletico Madrid because I played with Porto at the Calderon. Everyone I speak to tells me that the best thing about Atletico Madrid is the fans and I’m looking forward to experiencing that," he said.

His opinion about Spanish football is very positive because "Spain are the champions of the world and play a very competitive league, which is televised worldwide. I am very happy to be playing in this league."

 

[King Binny]

Emre Belozoglu - Atletico Madrid (free transfer)

The Turkish player passed a medical in FREMAP Clinic, Las Rozas then went to the Estadio Vicente Calderon to sign the contract that binds him to Atletico Madrid for the next two seasons. In the afternoon he will return to the concentration of his national side in Lisbon.

Emre attended the media just after he landed. He appeared with a red and white scarf around his neck and said "I am very happy to be here at Atletico Madrid, a great team. Hopefully next season the team will continue as the last did. I thank all who have made it possible to be here, the president, the coach and everyone involved. I am very happy to be at this club."

The Ottoman player said "I am very happy because it is very important for me to play in a league of high level like the Spanish league. I hope to have a good season and show a high level of football for my team and my fans. I have high expectations for the season."

As for his fellow countryman Arda Turan, Emre said: "Arda is my little brother. He is one of the top football players in recent years. Hopefully we can play together and we can close a good season with Atletico Madrid. "

In the medical the new Atletico player completed the circuit under Dr. Jose Maria Villalon, head of medical services of the club, accompanied the player in the tests that were performed under the supervision of Dr. Jesus Ottos, medical director of the circuit. The evidence consisted of medical consultation, collection of clinical history, physical examination, abdominal ultrasound and prostate cardiology clinic, analytical extraction, spirometry, audiometric air, and genetic study ophthalmology.

Dr. Villalon said at the conclusion of the study that the doctor had realised that "the player has reached its optimum level”.

For his part, Dr. Ottos, who led the study, said that "everything went well and the player is in perfect shape."

 

[Hansern]

Utds kit is horrendous

 

[King Binny]

Diego Colotto - Espanyol (free transfer)

Espanyol have made Diego Colotto their first signing of the summer, snapping the defender up on a free transfer from Deportivo La Coruna.

The 31-year-old made 77 Primera Liga appearances for Depor during his first three years with the club and was an important part of the side that secured the Segunda Division title last term.

The Argentine is, however, prepared to admit that the opportunity to work with fellow countryman Mauricio Pochettino, the manager at Espanyol, was too good to turn down.

Colotto told AS: "It has been a difficult decision for me because Deportivo is my home. They opened the door to Europe for me and I am very thankful, but then this possibility arose and I think I have done the right thing.

"It is important to have a winner as a coach and someone who is demanding of his players, someone that always wants more.

"I am coming here with the idea of growing as a player and improving an already-consolidated group. I want to fight for important goals this season."

 

[Frogfish]

God what a smug cunt

Glad I never wanted him

Que ? What did he say wrong ?

Or do to you, other than signing for those buggers of course.

 

[Fabio]

Que ? What did he say wrong ?

Or do to you, other than signing for those buggers of course.

Look at how smug he is.

Cunt.

 

[Frogfish]

Look at how smug he is.

Cunt.

Hahahaha !

 

[King Binny]

Moved to China: Anelka, Drogba, Barrios and now a 25 yr old Colombian international

Giovanni Moreno - Shanghai Shenhua (reportedly €4.7m)

Colombia midfielder Giovanni Moreno flew to China on Friday to become Shanghai Shenhua's latest recruit under former Argentina coach Sergio Batista.

The gifted 25-year-old will join Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and former France forward Nicolas Anelka at the ambitious Chinese side for a transfer fee that, according to media reports, is worth $9 million.

"There are opportunities that come about and you have to take them to see what happens," Moreno told TyC Sports television before boarding a plane for China.

"China is not a market that pleases many people but there's something about the players this team has that motivates me."

Moreno joined Racing from Atletico Nacional of Colombia in July 2010 and his silky skills had him widely regarded as the best player of the Apertura championship won by Estudiantes in the first half of Argentina's 2010/11 season.

However, in the opening match of the Clausura in February 2011 he damaged knee ligaments and was out for seven months, missing out on playing for his country at the Copa America in Argentina last July.

Moreno failed to recapture his best form this season and Racing have had a poor Clausura after finishing second to Boca Juniors in the Apertura in December.

Local media reports also said Batista had phoned Boca captain Juan Roman Riquelme to try to tempt him to join Shenhua.

"We're going to listen to the proposal. Roman has always said he's a Boca fan and wants to retire at the club although this will depend more on him," Boca president Daniel Angelici was quoted as saying.

 

[King Binny]

Danny Murphy - Blackburn Rovers (free transfer)

Danny Murphy has completed his free transfer move from Fulham to Blackburn after turning down a last-minute approach from Queens Park Rangers.

The 35-year-old midfielder has decided to drop down a division after being offered a two-year deal by Rovers, whose 11-year stay in the Premier League came to an end last season.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Good luck Spud

 

[King Binny]

Roger Schmidt - Red Bull Salzburg (Head Coach)

Ralf Rangnick - Red Bull Salzburg (Sports Director)

Gerard Houllier - Red Bull Salzburg (Global Sports Director)

Ralf Rangnick and Gerard Houllier have joined Salzburg, with Roger Schmidt appointed head coach of the Austrian champions.

Rangnick has been linked with several coaching vacancies across Europe, including West Brom, since quitting Schalke in September last year citing exhaustion.

He has now been named as Salzburg's sporting director, while former Liverpool and Aston Villa boss Houllier will serve as the club's global sports director.

Schmidt arrives from Germany 2 Bundesliga side Paderborn, having guided them to a surprising fifth place last year.

Schmidt replaces Ricardo Moniz, who unexpectedly left the club following their title success earlier this month.

Frenchman Gerard Houllier and highly-regarded German coach Ralf Rangnick have joined the management of Red Bull Salzburg, the Austrian double winners announced on Sunday.

The club, who are owned by the Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz and his Red Bull brand, have also unveiled a new coach in the shape of German Roger Schmidt.

Houllier, 64, who has previously coached the French national team and has also managed English sides Liverpool and Aston Villa, has been given the title of sporting director general in charge of football with Red Bull, the club announced in a statement.

After nine months out of the game, Rangnick, who turns 54 on June 29, will work as sporting director for Salzburg as well as for German fourth-tier side RB Leipzig, who also belong to the energy drink dynasty.

Rangnick blamed burn-out after choosing to quit German Bundesliga club Schalke 04 just six games into last season, and then turned down an offer to manage English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion earlier this month.

Last season he led Schalke to the German Cup and also took the Gelsenkirchen outfit to the semi-finals of the Champions League, while he has previously had spells in charge of Stuttgart, Hannover and Hoffenheim.

The 45-year-old Schmidt leaves his position as coach of German second tier side SC Paderborn to become coach of the Austrian side. Schmidt replaces the Dutchman Ricardo Moniz, who unexpectedly departed his post this month despite having a year remaining on his contract.

The newly-appointed trio will be unveiled at a press conference in Salzburg on Monday. Mateschitz bought out former UEFA Cup finalists SV Austria Salzburg in 2005 and rebranded the club.

The Red Bull sporting dynasty also includes two Formula One teams, a motorcycling team, the New York Red Bulls MLS football team, and an Austrian ice hockey side.

.

 

[King Binny]

Danny Murphy - Blackburn Rovers (free transfer)

Blackburn Rovers can confirm the signing of former England international Danny Murphy on a two-year deal.

The experienced midfielder - one of the top performers in the Premier League in recent seasons - joins from Fulham, where he skippered the side and played over 200 games.

Rovers beat off a number of other clubs to secure the signing of the 35-year-old former Liverpool, Charlton and Tottenham midfielder, who started his career with Crewe.

Manager Steve Kean said: "Being able to bring Danny on board is a massive boost for everyone and I couldn't be more delighted.

"His record is there for all to see. He is a model professional, who has a real hunger to keep on playing football and we are thrilled he has decided to commit his future to us. This as a pivotal signing for us."

Danny Murphy has cited the passion and desire of manager Steve Kean and the club's Indian owners as the major factor behind his switch to Blackburn Rovers.

The former Fulham and England midfielder completed his move to Ewood Park on Monday after agreeing a two-year deal.

The 35-year-old said: "I am absolutely delighted to be signing for Blackburn Rovers.

"When meeting Steve Kean I soon realised the passion, enthusiasm and ambition he has for the club and how much he wants the team to bounce straight back up to the Premier League.

"His desire to get me to the club was a huge factor in my decision to join. The owners were also very passionate about their desire to move Blackburn forward as a club and create a squad that is able to achieve promotion.

"I'm excited about my new challenge and can't wait to get started.

"I have enjoyed a fantastic five years at Fulham and I'd like to thank the club and the fans for all their support.

"Now, my new challenge is to help Blackburn get promoted and repay the manager's and the owners' faith in me."

 

[King Binny]

Roger Schmidt - Red Bull Salzburg (Head Coach)

Ralf Rangnick - Red Bull Salzburg (Sports Director)

Gerard Houllier - Red Bull Salzburg (Global Sports Director)

Having served Paderborn as a player and manager, Schmidt leaves with the board’s blessing and he extended his thanks to the club. “We [Paderborn] put together a team that managed to play good attacking football despite several departures. The offer from Salzburg came out of the blue and it's a very attractive role. I wish everyone involved with SC Paderborn all the best for the future."

 

[King Binny]

Oliver Giroud - Arsenal (reportedly £13 million)

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that France international Olivier Giroud has agreed to join the Club on a long-term contract.

The 25-year old striker completed a medical before agreeing terms at the Club’s training ground on Monday evening. The completion of the transfer is now just the subject of formal processes.

Giroud arrives from French champions Montpellier, where 21 goals in 36 league appearances made him the French league’s joint top goalscorer last season and also earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Giroud, who enjoyed a two-year spell at the Stade de la Mosson and broke into the national team in November 2011, flew to London after representing Les Bleus at the European Championship in Ukraine and Poland.

The Chambéry-born player spent his formative years in France's lower leagues, developing his game with Grenoble, on loan at FC Istres and then at Tours FC, where he played alongside Laurent Koscielny for a season before being awarded the Ligue 2 Player of the Year award in 2009/10.

Manager Arsène Wenger said: “We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud. He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic. We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season.

“He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier’s championship-winning side last season. We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt.”

Giroud, whose contract with Arsenal will officially commence on July 1, said: “I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football. It's a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it’s been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League.

“I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsène Wenger’s 'touch' at this club. I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I’m very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans.”

Giroud will join up with the Gunners for the Club’s pre-season preparations ahead of the new season.

 

[King Binny]

Michael Jacobs - Derby County (compensation package)

Derby County have made their first summer signing by swooping to sign talented Northampton Town midfielder Michael Jacobs.

The wideman, who is 20 and can perform on either flank, opted for Derby, despite strong interest from a number of npower Championship and Premier League clubs after rising through the ranks at Sixfields to become a regular member of their first-team squad.

He has put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal with Nigel Clough's side, starting from 1 July 2012, and although Jacobs is out of contract with Aidy Boothroyd's side this summer, as he is under the age of 24, the Rams will have to pay a compensation fee for his services and an undisclosed sum has been agreed between the two clubs.

Clough said: "We're delighted to secure Michael's signature as he's a player we indentified some time ago as someone who would be a very good addition to our squad, and over the last two years he's been one of the best players in the lower leagues.

"He's a young lad, but already he has plenty of first-team experience at Northampton behind him and we feel he has plenty of potential, which we believe he can fulfil it in a Derby County shirt.

"Michael fits in well with the sort of player we're looking to bring into the Club, and we're delighted he's chosen Derby County after hearing what we've had to say and having a look around the Club.

"We've had to be patient in getting this deal done, but we're very happy to get it over the line."

Jacobs, who turns 21 in November, is a product of Northampton's youth system and made his debut for the Club back in October 2009, in the side's 2-1 home victory over AFC Bournemouth in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. His first goal came at the start of the following season in Northampton's Carling Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Jacobs shot to prominence in the 2010-11 season at Sixfields after scoring at Anfield when the Cobblers overcame Premier League giants Liverpool in the Carling Cup Third Round on penalties after battling out a 2-2 draw.

He went on to score eight goals in 36 league and cup starts that season and emerged as a key performer; attracting the attention of the England under-21 scouts before picking up the Player of the Year Award.

The creative midfielder finished the 2011-12 campaign with seven goals and 10 assists to his name and was named the club's Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, beating off stiff competition from top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa and defender Kelvin Langmead.

In total he made exactly 100 appearances for the Cobblers, scoring on 15 occasions.

Jacobs will meet his new Derby County team-mates when the players report back for pre-season training on 12th July at Moor Farm Training Ground.

 

[King Binny]

Despite the instability of the club, the Huddersfield sacking hasn't been that bad.

Lee Clark - Birmingham City (Manager)

Birmingham City is delighted to announce the appointment of Lee Clark as the club's new manager.

The 39-year-old, one of Britain's brightest young managers, today agreed terms with Blues and takes charge immediately.

Clark will be assisted at St. Andrew's by Terry McDermott who will take up the role of assistant manager, while he also hopes to bring in Derek Fazackerley as first-team coach.

The new Blues boss carved out an impressive 16 year senior playing career as a midfielder with Newcastle United, Sunderland and Fulham, gaining international honours with England Under-21s.

Having honed his coaching skills at Newcastle and then Norwich City, Clark made his first steps into management with Huddersfield Town in December 2008. The Wallsend-born motivator turned the Terriers into a formidable force, losing just two home league games in his first season in charge, and guided the Yorkshire outfit into the 2009/10 npower League One play-offs, losing at the semi-final stage to Millwall.

Clark's side went one step further the following season only to fall at the final hurdle to Peterborough United after a third-place league finish.

He gained further managerial plaudits last season by guiding Huddersfield to a Football League record-breaking 43 game unbeaten run, eclipsing the 42 mark set by Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in 1978, before departing the Galpharm Stadium in February.

Speaking about the exciting appointment, acting chairman Peter Pannu said: "I was impressed by Lee's tenacity, zest and his ambition. He is enthused by the challenge ahead and is determined to make Birmingham City a real force in the npower Championship this season. Judging from his record at Huddersfield, I know he has the capability to do exactly that.

"The shortlist of four, out of the 22 applicants, that we put together meant that the appointment of Lee Clark was carefully studied and was a thorough and informed decision by the board.

"I now expect the fans to give him their full support. "

 

[King Binny]

Aritz Aduriz - Atletic Bilbao (€2.5 million)

Athletic Bilbao have reached an agreement with Valencia that will see former player Aritz Aduriz return to the club.

Aduriz, 31, came through the youth ranks at the San Mames, spending two seperate spells in the first-team at Athletic either side of time at Burgos and Real Valladolid.

Aduriz last left the club in 2008 to join Real Mallorca before joining Valencia two years later after impressing in his time at the Balearic club.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Athletic Bilbao and Valencia have reached an agreement for the transfer of Aritz Aduriz to our club. The player will remain at Athletic for the next three seasons.''

 

[King Binny]

Alvaro Dominguez - Borussia Monchengladbach (€8 million, could rise to €10 million)

Borussia Monchengladbach have signed Spanish defender Alvaro Dominguez from Atletico Madrid to replace Bayern Munich-bound Dante.

The 23-year-old Dominguez will pen a five-year contract after completing a medical this morning. "Alvaro Dominguez was the player we wanted as our left-sided central defender, which we needed to find following Dante's move to Bayern Munich," Gladbach director of sport Max Eberl said.

"He was a starting regular for Atletico Madrid, won the Europa League in 2010 and 2012 and recently broke into the Spain national team. We are proud that he has decided to join Borussia."

In addition to the 28 appearances he made in La Liga last season, Dominguez appeared 12 times in the UEFA Europa League, scoring one goal. Borussia Monchengladbach will embark on their first UEFA Champions League campaign in three decades next term.

Monchengladbach has made some interesting young signings with money from Dante and Reus' sales.

 

[King Binny]

Bruno Salto - Brighton and Hove Abion (free transfer)

Albion are delighted to announce the signing of Catalonian right-back Bruno Saltor, on a free transfer from Valencia, after he passed a medical at the Amex this afternoon.

The 31-year-old has agreed a two-year deal from 1st July and brings further top-flight experience to Gus Poyet's side.

Saltor made 17 appearances for the La Liga side last season, which included two appearances against Premier League side Stoke City during their Europa League contests in February.

Poyet said, "Bruno has a great amount of top-level experience in La Liga, the Champions League and the Europa League, and to bring a player of his quality is a coup for us.

"He will give us competition at right-back, along with Inigo Calderon, and the pair of them give us great options in that position."

Bruno graduated through Espanyol's youth system in his homeland but after featuring just once for the first team he moved to Lleida in 2003, where he accumulated over 100 appearances.

In 2006 he signed for Almeria and during his first season he helped the side win promotion into the Primera Liga of La Liga for the first time. Again, he racked up over 100 appearances before signing for Valencia on a three-year deal in 2009.

Bruno featured more than 60 times for the Mestalla side during three seasons, where he also played alongside Vicente Rodriguez.

Gus Poyet's latest signing, Bruno, revealed that he turned down the lure of more lucrative deals elsewhere, to sign for the Seagulls yesterday afternoon.

The Catalonian right-back joined up with the squad for the first time today and told seagulls.co.uk, "I had the idea to leave Spain and I had different offers.

"From the economic point of view there were places where I could have earned more, but that is not everything to me. It's more about the football.

"I was aware at the beginning of the summer that there was some interest from Brighton and we have been working together since then.

"Gus was very insistent and I like the project that is going on here. I was very happy to come and I'm very motivated to achieve here. It's nice that a manager is very insistent on me coming and he made me feel very wanted.

"I know about the Championship. I'm crazy about football so I follow all leagues, but obviously Brighton had Vicente so there was more of a focus there. I followed the whole Championship season, including the play-offs."

The former Valencia player admitted that the initial decision to leave his homeland was not taken lightly, but now he and his young family are excited by a new chapter.

"I feel at my best mentally. At 31 years of age I'm mature but I have the excitement of a very young player.

"My family will also be moving over. That is a big thing for me because we have got two children, but we are all very excited and looking forward to a new adventure.

"Vicente is a former team-mate of mine and a friend so it would mean a lot to me to play with him again, but it's not the most important thing, or the most fundamental part of my decision.

"I have seen Brighton games, because of Vicente, and the logical progression for this club is to move towards the Premier League. The squad is being built for promotion one day so that is my target now."

 

[Scotino]

Jordi Alba to Barcelona for €12m (possibly rising to €15m)

as.com/english/articulo/valencia-agree-to-sell-their/20120627dasdenspo_7/Ten

I'll leave the posting & formatting of the article's contents to the ever excellent Binny ;-)

 

[Ryan]

Wenger's record for buying out and out strikers has been extremely patchy.

He bought Henry as a left winger and got lucky, and that's about it. Actually, Adebayor worked out well I suppose.

Wiltord 12M
Eduardo 7.5M
Chamakh 7M
Suker 6M
Bendtner Whatever
Jeffers 8M
Gervinho 10M
Walcott 12M
Diawara 3M

 

[Fabio]

Walcott and gervinho aren't really out and out strikers

 

[Ryan]

Walcott was bought as one, and was shite at it so was stuck on the wing.

What is Gervinho then? He's a forward that doesn't score goals.

He reminds me of Diouf so much.

 

[Fabio]

Walcott was bought as one, and was shite at it so was stuck on the wing.

What is Gervinho then? He's a forward that doesn't score goals.

He reminds me of Diouf so much.

He's a winger who cuts in all the fucking time.

 

[mark1975]

Wenger's record for buying out and out strikers has been extremely patchy.

He bought Henry as a left winger and got lucky, and that's about it. Actually, Adebayor worked out well I suppose.

Wiltord 12M
Eduardo 7.5M
Chamakh 7M
Suker 6M
Bendtner Whatever
Jeffers 8M
Gervinho 10M
Walcott 12M
Diawara 3M

Yup, many of them ended up wide, even Wiltord who turned out not bad, but not great either. Suker was great for about 5 minutes at the end of his career. The rest, meh. Henry and Adebayor are about the only two, it probably stems from his fixation with wanting an ultimate pass and move team, I'd wager he can't stomach a real out and out goal getter, unless they are willing to be everywhere in their tippy tappy system, other than on the end of their 20th pass inside the box. Not that many of his wide men have been actual real out and out wide men either.

 

[Oncy]

Gervinho has only had one season. He could yet come good.

And Wenger has spent an awful lot of money on an awful lot of style over substance footballers through the years. Players who play the game well and can play neat tidy passes but little heart or fight in them.
Rosicky for example.
Hes spent years building a team full of fucking pussies who get rolled over by Stoke and Bolton every year.