Confirmed Transfers 2014/2015

[King Binny]

Hull City - Tom Ince (compensation fee to be negotiated)

[article=http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/1415-ince-signing-1721043.aspx]Hull City have completed the signing of Tom Ince.

The 22-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with the Tigers.

Ince had attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs this summer as well as Italian giants Inter Milan but has opted to become part of Steve Bruce’s squad after holding talks at the KC Stadium earlier today.

The pacy and direct winger came through the youth ranks at Liverpool but, after a short loan spell at Notts County in 2010/11, joined Blackpool on a permanent basis in August 2011.

He made his debut for the club in a League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday later that month, scoring his first professional goals in the 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers that October.

Ince had another impressive season during the 2012/13 campaign, scoring 18 Championship goals from a wide position – a tally that helped him scoop Blackpool’s Player of the Year award and secure a place in the Championship Team of the Year.

After bagging seven goals in 23 matches for the Tangerines in the first half of last season, Ince joined Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the campaign where he scored once in eight appearances for Tony Pulis’ side.

The son of former England skipper Paul, Ince has represented his country at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level and currently has 14 caps and three goals to his name for the U21 side.

Due to the player’s age, negotiations between the Tigers and Ince’s former club Blackpool over a compensation fee continue. Should the two clubs fail to come to an agreement, the fee will be determined by a tribunal.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Man City - Willy Caballero (£6 million)

[article=http://www.mcfc.com/News/Team-news/2014/July/Willy-Caballero-signs-for-City]City are delighted to announce the signing of Argentinian goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

The 32-year-old has joined the club from Malaga on a 3 year deal and will bring a wealth of experience as he joins fellow keepers Joe Hart and Richard Wright.

He is the Club's third signing of the summer, with Fernando and Bacary Sagna also joining City in the past month.

Caballero exclusively told mcfc.co.uk: “I am very happy, and really looking forward to the start of pre-season and performing well to help the team.

“This is a new challenge and a new league for me. I have been doing well in the previous years and my goal is to go on and hopefully perform at the same level for City.

“I know I am coming to a big club with a very good goalkeeper. City already have a great goalkeeper in Joe Hart, but I will try and compete for the no.1 spot. I will do my best in the training sessions.”

Caballero began his career in his homeland with Boca Juniors, where he won the Argentine Primera League, Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 2003.

He moved to Spain in 2004 and spent seven years with Elche, before linking up with Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga.

The stopper entered the club’s record books by going 480 consecutive minutes without conceding, and gained valuable Champions League experience during his time with the La Liga side.

He revealed: “The most beautiful moments of my career were under Manuel Pellegrini in Malaga, where we achieved big things and we made Malaga’s name known around Europe.

“As for my new team-mates, I have a very good relationship with Martin Demichelis, but I’ve never met Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero. It’s something I’m looking forward to. For me it is very good to have people from Argentina in the squad because I think it will be very helpful.

“I spoke to Roque Santa Cruz and Demichelis, and they told me that Manchester is a very beautiful city and very welcoming, so that will be great for my family and I can’t wait to enjoy it.”

Caballero won the u20 FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2001, and was part of the squad that triumphed at the 2004 Summer Olympics as a 22-year-old, but the Premier League represents a new challenge for the Santa Elena-born stopper.

“I’ve always loved the Premier League, I watched it as a child and I always liked the style of play here,” he said. “When I was 19 I came to play a friendly against England and I really liked how they played and how passionate the fans are. It’s a big step in my career and a dream realised to play in the Premier League.

"Hopefully we can have many happy times together.”[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Fulham - Ross McCormack (undisclosed fee, reportedly £11 million)

[article=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/08/whites-seal-mccormack-deal]Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Ross McCormack from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee.

The Scotland international, last season’s top scorer in the Sky Bet Championship, has penned a four-year deal with the Whites, with the option of a further 12 months, potentially keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2019.

McCormack started his career at Rangers, before spells at Motherwell and Cardiff City prior to his switch to Leeds in 2010.

Capped 11 times by Scotland, the Glasgow-born striker has scored twice for his country.

He becomes Fulham’s fifth summer signing following the captures of Tim Hoogland, Adam Taggart, Kay Voser and Shaun Hutchinson.

Fulham Manager Felix Magath said: "I'm very happy with the signing of Ross McCormack who will be an important player for our squad. Ross was not only the top scorer in the Championship last season, but also made a lot of assists, so has a proven pedigree at this level which can only be an asset to us.

"I'm glad for our fans that we've signed an experienced and exciting player, a Scotland international, with a great attitude and presence who can be a leader that our young and ambitious squad can learn from. There was a lot of interest in him over the summer months so securing his signature is good for Fulham, and I again thank our Chairman for his investment and commitment."[/article]

 

[SummerOnions]

That's mental that is.

Championship clubs throwing about £11m

 

[King Binny]

Especially after slashing 29 jobs last week

That said, if he scores the goals to take them up, it'll be worthwhile. Will be very surprised if Konstantinos Mitroglou stays though. Could form a very prolific strikeforce.

 

[Pesam]

2 seasons ago Ross McCormack was available for under £1m; he couldn't get a regular game for Leeds, wouldn't sign a new contract and had only 6 months left on his existing deal. I suggested we signed him because he actually could be a rough diamond but even if he wasn't good enough for us his sell-on value would be considerably higher. NOBODY even put in a bid for him and now after one* prolific season....£11m.

Fulham will have a great player on their hands if they pair him with a genuine goalscorer and treat McCormack as a Dalglish-type player i.e. don't expect him to score 30 goals but tell him you expect 20 but a shitload of assists too. They've got Mitroglu and Berbatov too so I'd suggest McCormack & Berba because I reckon they could hit 50 between 'em if the midfield can provide suitable ammunition.

*He had a prolific season about 4 or 5 seasons ago but bizarrely they then went a bought 2 useless forwards (Becchio & Paynter) played them up front and shunted McCormack wide left! #managersareidiots

 

[King Binny]

2 seasons ago Ross McCormack was available for under £1m; he couldn't get a regular game for Leeds, wouldn't sign a new contract and had only 6 months left on his existing deal. I suggested we signed him because he actually could be a rough diamond but even if he wasn't good enough for us his sell-on value would be considerably higher. NOBODY even put in a bid for him and now after one* prolific season....£11m.

Fulham will have a great player on their hands if they pair him with a genuine goalscorer and treat McCormack as a Dalglish-type player i.e. don't expect him to score 30 goals but tell him you expect 20 but a shitload of assists too. They've got Mitroglu and Berbatov too so I'd suggest McCormack & Berba because I reckon they could hit 50 between 'em if the midfield can provide suitable ammunition.

*He had a prolific season about 4 or 5 seasons ago but bizarrely they then went a bought 2 useless forwards (Becchio & Paynter) played them up front and shunted McCormack wide left! #managersareidiots

Berbatov has signed on with Monaco, @Pesam. Just read this transfer makes McCormack the third most expensive Scottish player of all time.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

<p></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Especially after <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-slash-29-jobs-following-3803408" target="_blank" class="externalLink" rel="nofollow">slashing 29 jobs last week</a></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>That said, if he scores the goals to take them up, it'll be worthwhile. Will be very surprised if Konstantinos Mitroglou stays though. Could form a very prolific strikeforce.</p>
<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsAmKI1IAAAs4Fx.png" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="

Screenshot this folks. A rare Binny machine malfunction event. Years from now you can tell your grandkids you saw it, live.

 

[Frogfish]

Southampton have now confirmed the arrival of Dusan Tadic fromFC Twente on a deal until 2018.

 

[Frogfish]

Gazzetta claiming that Rubin Kazan midfielder Yann M'Vila and Roma left-back Dodoare undergoing medicals with Inter Milan. The two players could be confirmed as Inter signings later today. M'Vila has three years left on his Rubin contract and could join Inter on loan with a view to a permanent €8million (£6.4m) deal.

 

[Fabio]

Southampton have now confirmed the arrival of Dusan Tadic (green goose) fromFC Twente on a deal until 2018.

Fixed

@cloggypop, you've got another player to champion like bony now

 

[King Binny]

West Ham - Diego Poyet (undisclosed compensation fee)

[article=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20140708/poyet-pens-hammers-deal_2236884_3974060]West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of teenage midfielder Diego Poyet.

The 19-year-old joins the Hammers on a four-year deal following the expiry of his contract at Charlton Athletic, after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed compensation fee for his services.

Poyet burst into the Charlton first team in January 2014, making 23 impressive appearances during the second half of last season to earn the club's Player of the Year award.

The youngster has joined his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp on the French-Swiss border and is looking forward to starting life as a West Ham player.

"I'm very happy to be here. It took me by surprise a little bit and it all happened very quickly," said Poyet. "It's a great Club to be at and I know a few of the boys here already.

"It was a no brainer to sign, I wanted to come out here to the training camp as soon as I could and I'm grateful that they've had me here.

"It's massive to come to a Premier League club. It's what I wanted to do - I wanted a new challenge and soon as I heard there was a chance of stepping up I had to take it.

"I played quite a few games last season with Charlton and I just want to push on now. Like any young player, the first thing you want to do is get into the first team. I need to show the staff, players and the gaffer what I'm capable of doing and maybe pushing my way in.

"West Ham is a great Club with a lot of tradition, moving to a new stadium and everything, it was a no brainer for me because you never know if you're going to get that kind of chance again."

Poyet was born in Zaragoza, Spain, where his father Gus was playing for the city's Primera Division club, in April 1995.

At the age of two, he moved to London when Gus signed for Chelsea, and he has spent the vast majority of his life living in England.

An industrious and tenacious midfielder blessed with an impressive range of passing, Poyet signed for Charlton as an eleven-year-old before coming through the Academy ranks at The Valley.

The youngster's promise was recognised at international level as early as October 2010, when he was handed an England U16 debut in a Victory Shield meeting with Wales - a match which saw him captained by new West Ham team-mate Leo Chambers.

The following year, he lined up alongside Manchester United and England left-back Luke Shaw as the Young Lions won the Montaigu Tournament in France.

After being capped six times by England at U17 level, Poyet made his first-team breakthrough at Charlton in January 2014, appearing as a substitute in an FA Cup third-round victory over Oxford United.

The teenager made his full league debut a fortnight later at Wigan Athletic and became a mainstay in the Charlton side for the remainder of the campaign, contributing to the Addicks' successful battle against relegation with a series of Man of the Match performances.

Poyet becomes West Ham's fourth summer signing following the arrival of Argentine striker Mauro Zarate from Velez Sarsfield, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate from RSC Anderlecht and left-back Aaron Cresswell from Ipswich Town.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Southampton have now confirmed the arrival of Dusan Tadic fromFC Twente on a deal until 2018.

Reportedly £8.7 million

[article=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/08072014-statement-southampton-football-club-signs-dusan-tadic-1727227.aspx#uoOQR8JtWitzTmy2.99]Southampton has today completed the signing of Serbian playmaker Dušan Tadić, the club is pleased to confirm.

25-year-old Tadić has penned a four-year contract and moves from Dutch side FC Twente for an undisclosed fee.

He becomes Ronald Koeman’s first signing as Southampton manager, as the club begins the process of building a team for the future in keeping with the Southampton philosophy of attractive, attacking football.

The attacking midfielder finished top of the Eredivisie’s assists table with 14 season, and his 16 goals made him the fourth-highest scorer in the division.

Tadić has 25 caps for his country and has been playing in Holland since 2010, having initially moved from his homeland to FC Groningen – the former club of Ronald and Erwin Koeman.

Dušan Tadić said: “It is a really nice feeling to sign. This is a really nice club of which I have heard a lot of good things about.

“I have already seen the beautiful training centre and there are lots of nice people that work here including the coaches so I am really happy to be here.

“I watched a lot of [Southampton’s] games last season and saw that the club plays really nice football which will suit me because I like to play in the same way.

“The manager obviously knows me from the Dutch league so, when he called me and told me his plan, it was an easy decision to make.

“I know the manager well because he is one of the biggest Dutch legends in football – everyone knows him.

“He is a really good coach and you can always expect his teams to play well because he is leading them and because he is so good tactically. I am really excited to start playing for the club.”

First Team Manager Ronald Koeman added: “It was very important to get this signing done – not only for me, but for the rest of the squad and for our fans. It’s fantastic news.

“We’ve lost some good players but we want to continue the ambition and philosophy of the club, so it’s a great signal to have brought in our first player.

“He’s a great player. I know him very well from Holland, where he had a great season last year.

“We now look forward to bringing in more players because we want to continue and maybe even better what Southampton did last season.”[/article]

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Everton - Gareth Barry (free)

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28221518

[article]Gareth Barry: Everton sign midfielder on three-year deal

Everton have signed midfielder Gareth Barry on a three-year contract.

The 33-year-old spent last season at Goodison Park on loan from Manchester City, helping Roberto Martinez's side finish fifth in the Premier League.

Barry, whose contract with City expired at the end of June, is Martinez's first signing of the summer.

"I'm delighted now that everything is signed and I'm going to be spending the next few years at Everton," the midfielder said.

"When you are on loan, it is never the same as being a signed player. I was really settled last year - but now I am an official Everton player and it feels really good."

Everton boss Martinez said: "We all know the type of footballer that Gareth is and the type of person that he is. He will fit perfectly well into what we are at Everton. It is a great way to start pre-season."

The midfielder, who has 53 England caps, played 37 times in all competitions for Everton during his loan spell.

Barry began his career at Aston Villa, moving to Manchester City in a £12m deal in June 2009.

He was one of three players to join Everton on transfer deadline day in September 2013, along with midfielder James McCarthy - signed from Wigan for £13m - and striker Romelu Lukaku, brought in on a season's loan from Chelsea.

Later that month, he became only the 10th player to make 500 Premier League appearances.

He added: "From the moment I signed last year, I settled in straight away.

"There is a fantastic history here and it was brilliant working with the manager."[/article]

3-year contract at 33 years old. That's a pretty long contract for someone his age but I suppose he didn't have much pace to start with so he's got nothing to lose there. I suppose he has looked after himself well enough and been lucky with injuries as well over the seasons to have a long career. Pretty impressive that he's had 12 consecutive seasons of 30+ league games and also played in 30+ league games in 15 out of his last 16 seasons.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Everton - Gareth Barry (free)

.

Soccernet reporting that although the deal was a free transfer, City still get 2m from this deal under the terms of the loan agreement last season.

http://www.espnfc.com/barclays-premier-league/story/1940674/gareth-barry-move-nets-city-£2m

[article]But although he was out of contract, the terms of the loan agreement struck last summer meant City would receive a fee rising from one million pounds if he joined Everton on a one-year deal to two million pounds for the three-year contract he has signed.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Fulham - Konstantinos Stafylidis (loan with option to buy)

[article=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/09/stafylidis-signs]Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce the season-long loan signing of Konstantinos Stafylidis from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

The Club have an option to sign the player permanently at the end of the loan agreement.

The 20-year-old left-back moved to Germany in 2012 from Greek side PAOK where he started his career.

He has one international cap for Greece and has represented his country more than 30 times at youth level. Stafylidis was part of the Greece Under-19s side that suffered a 1-0 defeat in the Final of U19 European Championship against Spain in 2012.

He spent the 2012/13 season back at PAOK, making 24 appearances on loan and helping the team to the 2013 Greece Super League title.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Olympiakos - Pajtim Kasami (undisclosed fee)

[article]Greek champions Olympiakos Piraeus continued their summer rebuilding by signing Swiss midfielder Pajtim Kasami on a three-year deal from English side Fulham, they announced on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old international, who did not make Switzerland's World Cup squad, signed for an undisclosed fee from the Londoners, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.

"The fact that Olympiakos has ambitious goals and is one of Europe's big clubs playing in the Champions League was significant for me," said the attacking midfielder, who joined Fulham in 2011 from Palermo.

Kasami's arrival follows that of Eric Abidal, the former France defender who joined from Monaco four days ago.[/article]

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Chelsea sign 19-year-old Croatia U21 international Mario Pasalic from Hadjuk Split

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

West Ham - Diego Poyet (undisclosed compensation fee)

Isn't he supposed to be highly-rated? Waste of talent and probably going to have all his creativity squeezed out of him with this move to play under Fat Sham.

 

[RedZeppelin III]

"Atlético de Madrid and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of Mario Mandžukić. The Croatian striker successfully underwent the medical examination in Madrid before signing a contract for four years with our Club."

costa's replacement , interesting to see how much of their team they keep and what they do next season .

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Confirmed: Villa complete signing of Kieran Richardson
Keiran Richardson signs on two-year-deal.

Villa are stockpiling mediocre / average veterans like a newly-promoted Championship teams used to do. Joe Cole, Senderos, now Richardson. They're preparing to play in the Championship in the 2015/2016 season I suppose. Benteke must be itching to get out.

 

[Markeh]

Tom Inces agents must be exhausting from pimping him about for the last 7 months

 

[King Binny]

Guang Zhou Evergrande FC - Alberto Gilardino (€5 million)

[article]The giant of Chinese soccer has attracted another big Italian name. The recently rebranded Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC said Friday it signed Alberto Gilardino for €5 million ($6.8 million).

The club, which is champion of China and Asia, said Gilardino has signed a two-and-a-half year contract and will join the team in Guangzhou after completing a medical on Saturday. The club’s website carries a picture of the Italian, with the words “Welcome to Guangzhou Alberto Gilardino” along with his number, 38.

Gilardino has played 57 times for Italy, scoring 19 goals. He was part of the Italian squad that won the 2006 World Cup, appearing as a substitute in the semifinal against Germany as well as starting matches earlier in the tournament. He wasn’t selected for this year’s World Cup in Brazil, where Italy crashed out in the opening round.

In Guangzhou, Gilardino will reunite with Marcello Lippi, the coach of Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning team and now head of Guangzhou Evergrande. He will also join compatriot Alessandro Diamanti, who signed for the Chinese club earlier this year. Like Gilardino, Diamanti has played for Italy, scoring the decisive goal to knock England out of Euro 2012 in a penalty shootout.

Gilardino moves to China after spending his entire club career in Italy, most recently with Genoa. He joins a team that is leading the charge in revolutionizing soccer in China and Asia. In June, Chinese company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. bought a 50% stake Guangzhou Evergrande for 1.2 billion yuan ($192 million). Alibaba owns online shopping site Taobao, hence the addition to the Guangzhou Evergrande name.

The club said it expects Gilardino to enhance its attack and bring technical and tactical expertise to the team. His arrival comes at an opportune time given that Brazilian player Muriqui, Guangzhou Evergrande’s top scorer, is reportedly leaving for Qatar after four years with the club.

Guangzhou Evergrande’s next match is on Tuesday against Guangdong Rizhiquan in the Chinese FA Cup. In the Chinese Super League, Guangzhou Evergrande is top of the table with 35 points from 15 matches. Beijing Guoan is in second place with 31 points and a game in hand.

The club from the Chinese capital, like all the others in the region, will find it increasingly difficult to keep up with the Italian infused Guangzhou Evergrande.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Charlton - Tal Ben Haim (free transfer)

[article=http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140711-tal-ben-haim-signs-1710157.aspx#332YCrdaEGicBvzx.99]Charlton have signed Israel international Tal Ben Haim on a one-year contract, the club announced on Friday morning.

The central defender, who made 110 appearances for Bolton Wanderers during a three-year spell with the club, arrives from Standard Liège.

His arrival will bring competition to the centre of Charlton's defence, following the signing André Bikey-Amougou and Michael Morrison signing a new two-year contract.

After coming through Maccabi Tel Aviv’s academy Ben Haim was snapped up by then Bolton manager Sam Allardyce in 2004.

The defender has made seven career appearances against Charlton, winning four of them, losing twice and drawing once.

He enjoyed three successful years at the Reebok Stadium before being snapped up by Chelsea following the expiration of his contract in June 2007.

Ben Haim made his Blues debut at Wembley in a closely fought Community Shield defeat against Manchester United.

The Israeli went on to make 23 appearances during his one and only season at Stamford Bridge before moving to Manchester City for around £5m in July 2008.

After 15 appearances for Mark Hughes’ men the defender joined Sunderland on loan where he played five times.

The Israeli joined Portsmouth in 2009 where he played 57 times and, following a loan spell at West Ham United, Ben Haim joined Queens Park Rangers before moving to Liège in July 2013.

The 32-year-old picked up 2007/08 League Cup and Champions League runners-up medals with Chelsea and a 2009/10 FA Cup runners-up medal with Portsmouth.

Ben Haim becomes Charlton’s fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Zak Ansah, Yoni Buyens, Igor Vetokele and Bikey-Amougou. [/article]

Charlton - Johann Berg Gudmundsson (free transfer)

[article=http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140711-johan-gudmundsson-signs-1744773.aspx#W4P2OTpjYv7Wza5f.99]Charlton have signed Johann Berg Gudmundsson on a two-year contract, the club announced on Friday afternoon.

The highly-rated winger arrives at The Valley as a free agent after parting ways with Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar following the expiration of his contract.

The 23-year-old made 145 appearances over four seasons for the Dutch club, scoring 13 times as he gained a reputation for scoring spectacular goals.

Gudmundsson has won 32 caps for Iceland's national team and made headlines last September when he scored a sensational hat-trick against Switzerland during a World Cup qualifier – with his 90th-minute curler sealing a point in a 4-4 draw.

Speaking to www.cafc.co.uk after completing the formalities of his move at Sparrows Lane, Gudmundsson said he was eager to focus on playing football for his new club.

“I’m excited to be here," he said.

"It’s a new challenge for me and I can’t wait to start training with the lads.

“I heard of the interest a few weeks ago and obviously I’m on a free transfer so there were a lot of things happening, but in the end I decided to go with Charlton.

“It’s a great club with a good history and I think we are building something good here.”

In addition to his experience in the Dutch top division, the left-footer has vast experience in European football having made 30 appearances in the Europa League.

Gudmundsson was a pivotal member of the AZ Alkmaar side which reached the quarter-finals of the competition last season, finding the net on three occasions including goals both home and away against Israeli outfit Maccabi Haifa, before losing out in the final eight to eventual runners-up Benfica.

The tricky wide man previously spent time with both Fulham and Chelsea as a teenager when his parents relocated to England, before he returned to Iceland to embark on his senior career with Breiðablik at the age of 18.

Gudmundsson becomes Charlton Head Coach Bob Peeters’ sixth summer signing and the second to put pen to paper on Friday in SE7 following the arrival of experienced central defender Tal Ben Haim.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Blackburn - Alex Baptiste (loan)

[article=http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/rovers-seal-defender-deal-1745223.aspx#SmftijVhf0dIEuWA.99]Blackburn Rovers have reinforced their defensive ranks with the arrival of Alex Baptiste from Bolton Wanderers.

He becomes the third player to sign on a busy day of transfer activity at Ewood Park, joining on a season long loan deal.

Equally comfortable at full back or in the centre of defence, Baptiste started his professional career with Mansfield Town where he made almost 200 appearances in a six-year spell with the Stags.

A move to Lancashire followed, signing for Blackpool in the summer of 2008, and he played a pivotal role as the Ian Holloway's side clinched promotion to the Premier League at Wembley in 2010.

After 190 appearances for Blackpool, the 28-year-old made the switch to Bolton Wanderers last summer, featuring 43 times for the Trotters, scoring on four occasions including the consolation goal as Rovers defeated Bolton at Ewood Park in a 4-1 win last August.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Roma - Urby Emanuelson (free transfer)

[article]Former Fulham midfielder Urby Emanuelson has joined Ashley Cole at Italian giants Roma.

The ex-Dutch international arrives in the Italian capital on a free transfer following his release from AC Milan at the end of last season.
Emanuelson has agreed a one-year deal with the Champions League qualifiers, although there is an option to extend the contract for another year.

He spent six months on loan at Fulham in 2013, playing 13 times and scoring once.

The 28-year-old was also capped 16 times for Holland between 2006 and 2012.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

AC Milan - Adil Rami (€4.25 million)

[article]The Adil Rami saga is over, as he has now officially completed the transfer from Valencia to Milan.

Just 24 hours ago the entire move had seemed to collapse, but overnight negotiations continued and Valencia accepted the €4.25m spread over three instalments.

Milan released a statement this morning confirming Rami is now their player on a permanent basis, signing a contract until June 30 2017.

Adriano Galliani confirmed the French defender took a pay cut of €0.5m to help the move go through, as Milan were only prepared to pay €3.75m.

He arrived at San Siro in January and his original buy-out clause was worth €7m.

Rami also helped push the transfer via rants against Valencia President Amadeo Salvo on Twitter.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

West Brom - Sebastien Pocognoli (undisclosed fee, reportedly £1.5 million)

[article=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/pocognoli-seals-albion-move-1748755.aspx#L05TfvbxHW1dAXZF.99]ALBION have today completed the signing of Belgium international defender Sébastien Pocognoli from Hannover 96 for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old left-back has become the Baggies’ fourth summer signing. He penned a three-year deal, plus a year’s option in the club’s favour, after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

Pocognoli, who has 12 Belgium caps, narrowly missed out on a place in his country’s Brazil-bound World Cup squad after injury saw him miss the final six weeks of last season.

The 6ft player has top-flight experience in Belgium, Holland and Germany following spells with Genk, AZ Alkmaar, Standard Liege and Hannover.

In 2008/09, Pocognoli played a prominent role as Alkmaar – then managed by Holland boss Louis van Gaal – won the Dutch Eredivisie title.

Head coach Alan Irvine said: “Sébastien is an experienced left-back who has played at a high level for many years.

“After being named in Belgium’s provisional World Cup squad, he just missed out on Brazil, mainly because he hadn’t played enough games towards the end of the season.

“But he’s joined us with a real hunger to prove himself at Albion and get back into the international set-up.

“We’ve done our due diligence on Sébastien in terms of people who have worked with him, including Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas.

“You make your own mind up about a player’s ability from watching him play but you put these calls in to find out about their personality. The feedback on Sébastien was very positive.”

Pocognoli will meet his new team-mates for the first time when he reports for pre-season training on Monday.

Technical director Terry Burton added: “Sébastien is a player the club has been watching for a while and we’re delighted to have him on board.

“He’s a competitive left-back who knows his position very well.”

Pocognoli began his career at Standard Liege before joining Genk in 2003.

He was capped by his country at every youth level from under-16s upwards prior to making his full international debut against Italy in May 2008.

After four successive top-five finishes in the Belgian Jupiler League, he crossed the border to join Dutch outfit Alkmaar.

During the 2008/09 season, he made 27 appearances as AZ were crowned Dutch champions for only the second time in their history.

Pocognoli returned to Standard Liege in 2010 and, in his first full season back at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, he helped them to a domestic cup triumph and second-place finish.

He joined German outfit Hannover in January 2013 and made 30 Bundesliga appearances before joining the Baggies.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

PSV Eindhoven - Luuk de Jong (reportedly £4.4 million)

[article]PSV Eindhoven have recruited Luuk de Jong from Borussia Monchengladbach on a five-year contract.

The forward spent the second half of last season in the Premier League, on loan at Newcastle United, but failed to score once during a disappointing four-month spell at St. James’ Park.

Nonetheless, it had been rumoured that De Jong could join elder brother Siem in sealing a permanent switch to Tyneside this summer - but the 23-year-old has now joined PSV for a reported €5.5 million.

"I want to get back on the field and show my qualities," the striker told his new club’s official television channel.

"The talks with PSV were very positive and I'm looking forward to playing here."

The Swiss-born attacker has played seven times for World Cup semi-finalists Netherlands, scoring one goal.

However, he netted just eight times after joining Gladbach from Twente in 2012 for €15m.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Leeds Utd - Tommaso Bianchi (undisclosed fee)