Confirmed Transfers (2015/16)

[Ryan]

Andreas Hirzel - Hamburg

[article=http://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/hamburg-sign-ekdal-and-Hirzel.jsp]Hamburger SV have completed the double signing of Swedish midfielder Albin Ekdal from Serie A side Cagliari Calcio and Swiss goalkeeper Andreas Hirzel from FC Vaduz.

Hamburg's latest recruits have inked four- and three-year deals respectively, and have already linked up with their new team-mates at their Harsewinkel training camp.

"I'm happy it's gone through, I'm looking forward to playing for Hamburg and in the Bundesliga," 25-year-old Ekdal told club website www.hsv.de. "After leaving Sweden, I played in Italy's Serie A. I'm sure that the game in Germany is quicker and more physical. I'll have to get used to that fast. I'm ready for the new challenge."

Ekdal started his professional career at Swedish club IF Brommapojkarna in 2007, before moving to Juventus FC after completing his school exams in summer 2008. The 17-time Sweden international was loaned out to Siena SSD for the 2009-10 campaign, establishing himself as a regular in the side. He left a similarly good impression during a fleeting spell at Bologna FC, before signing a permanent deal with Cagliari in 2011.

22-year-old Hirzel, who is a former Under-16, U-17 and U-18 Switzerland international, has represented a number of Swiss sides including FC Baden, Grasshopper Club Zürich II and Vaduz.[/article]

That's surely not his head? It can't be.

It's completely disproportionate to the rest of his body.

 

[King Binny]

Anthony Le Tallec - Atromitos (free transfer)

[article=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/sports/article/former-liverpool-stricker-anthony-le-tallec-opts-to-stay-in-greece#sthash.YIGrt5bw.dpuf]Former Liverpool striker Anthony Le Tallec has opted to continue his career in Greece, agreeing a two-year deal with Atromitos, the club announced yesterday.

The 30-year-old former France under-21 international was latterly playing in the French second tier with Valenciennes.

Now he has agreed to move to the club from the Athens suburbs after being tempted by the prospect of playing in this season’s Europa League.

“It is important to me that I play once again in Europe.

“There are many who say that I’m in the best phase of my career.

“I feel good, I showed it last season and I am now with Atromitos to take the team higher,” he told the club’s official website.

Le Tallec first emerged as a teenager at Le Havre and joined Liverpool along with Florent Sinama-Pongolle in 2002.

After being loaned out to numerous clubs, including Sunderland, he eventually left permanently to return to France with Le Mans in 2008 and was part of the Auxerre squad that featured in the Champions League in 2010.

After a spell in Major League Soccer with Chicago Fire, Sinama-Pongolle joined Swiss second-division side Lausanne earlier this year but suffered a serious knee injury shortly after signing.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

That's surely not his head? It can't be.

It's completely disproportionate to the rest of his body.

Angle of the shot I guess? 😛

 

[doctor_mac]

Patrick Roberts - Man City (reportedly £2million, rising to £8m with add-ons)

Wow. This guy makes Aspas look like Mr Universe.

 

[King Binny]

Jordan Houghton - Gillingham (6 mth loan)

[article=http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/article/gillingham-fc-have-signed-jordan-houghton-on-loan-from-chelsea-2558860.aspx#pGMHEh0x8Hkpfx1l.99]Gillingham have clinched the signing of Chelsea midfielder Jordan Houghton on loan until January 3.

The 19-year-old won the FA Youth Cup with the Blues during the 2013/14 season, scoring in the second leg of the Final against Fulham in a 5-3 win which helped the team secure a 7-6 aggregate victory.

Last season Jordan was handed the armband to Captain the U21 side, and again scored against Fulham in October in a season which saw Chelsea finish third in the Barclays U21 Premier League behind Liverpool and Manchester United.

He has yet to make his debut for the first team; however he has represented England at U16, U17 and U20 level.

On capturing his signature Justin Edinburgh said: “I’m really pleased Jordan has chosen to join us until January.

“He chose us over a number of other clubs and I’m pleased to have secured the signing.

“He is a very hungry young player who has had an excellent grounding at Chelsea; he won the Youth Cup the season before last, playing an integral part in the process, and has represented his country at three different age groups.

“He is a terrific addition to our squad and I look forward to working with him.” [/article]

 

[King Binny]

Ivan Piris - Udinese (undisclosed fee)

[article]Paraguay international Ivan Piris has joined Udinese on a permanent basis from Deportivo Maldonado.

The wing-back was at the Stadio Friuli last season on loan.

The Friulani made the transfer for an undisclosed fee this evening.

They released a picture of 26-year-old Piris putting pen to paper on a five-year contract.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Jefferson Farfan - Al Jazira (reportedly €10 million)

[article]German Bundesliga side Schalke have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sell their Peruvian winger Jefferson Farfan to Arabian Gulf League outfit Al Jazira.

The club’s sporting director Horst Heldt told the German football magazine Kicker on Monday that: “Schalke and Al Jazira have reached an agreement in principle.”

The Kicker report added that the transfer fee for the 30-year-old, who moved to Schalke from PSV Eindhoven in 2008, would be just under €10m.

It also claimed Farfan, whose contract is due to expire next June, could earn €10 million (Dh39.76 million) per year if he moves to Abu Dhabi.

Farfan’s arrival is expected to lead to the departure of Burkinabe international Jonathan Pitroipa, while the club’s Argentinian midfielder Manuel Lanzini has been in talks with West Ham.

Al Jazira had been interested in Brazil star Robinho, but he joined the Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande last Thursday.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Martyn Waghorn and James Tavernier - Rangers (reportedly £200k each)

[article=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/9657?utm_content=bufferd861e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer]RANGERS can confirm the signing of Wigan duo Martyn Waghorn and James Tavernier on three year deals, subject to international clearance.

Waghorn was born in South Shields and the 25 year-old striker began his career not too far away in Sunderland, where he made eight appearances before being loaned out to Charlton Athletic and Leicester City.

Tavernier joins Mark Warburton’s side primarily as a right-back but he can also play in, and is comfortable in, several different positions across the back line and has also featured in midfield.

Although the defender is signing from Wigan, his most recent football came with Bristol City where he spent the second half of last season on loan.

Both players arrived at Murray Park this morning to meet Warburton and to be taken on a tour of the facilities before meeting their teammates.

As a 17-year-old, Waghorn made his Sunderland debut on Boxing Day 2007 in a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, and despite the disappointing scoreline, then Black Cats boss Roy Keane reserved praise for the performance of his young attacker.

His first senior goal arrived when on loan at the Valley for Charlton in December 2008 as he struck in a 2-2 draw with Derby County. A season-long loan for the 2009/10 season then followed at Leicester, and he played a total of 47 games, scoring 12 goals in the process.

His form there earned him a permanent move at a cost of £3million on transfer deadline day in August 2010, and at the King Power Stadium, he made a further 59 appearances in total, scoring eight more goals in the process.

Loan spells at Hull City and Milwall followed before he moved permanently to Wigan Athletic on January 31 2014.

There, he played 41 times in total and scored eight times before moving north to Rangers. Waghorn has international honours at youth level, representing England’s under-19s twice and also the under-21s twice.

In his two appearances at under-21 level against Azerbaijan and Isreal, he scored in both matches.

Tavernier made 12 appearances for Bristol City last season, scoring three goals in the process and he was instrumental in their double swoop as The Robins won League One with 99 points and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy

City hadn't won a league title for 60 years and they topped it off with an 8-2 demolition of Walsall on the final day of the season.

Born in Bradford, he started his career with Leeds United as an academy player and he spent seven years at Elland road before he joined Newcastle United in 2008.

He signed pro with the Premier League club in 2009 and despite being a Magpies player until 2014, he only ever made two appearances for the first team.

Newcastle chose to loan him out to six clubs during his time on Tyneside – Gateshead, Carlisle, Sheffield Wednesday, Milton Keynes Dons, Shrewsbury Town and Rotherham United.

And at Rotherham he enjoyed his first major success as a senior player, making 27 appearances, scoring five goals and helping them to promotion to the Championship via the play-offs in the 2013/14 season.

He caught the eye of Wigan during that season with The Millers and Uwe Rosler snapped him up for an undisclosed fee to take him to the DW Stadium in June 2014.

He made seven appearances for the club before he moved to Bristol City in January for the remainder of the season.

Whilst coming through the ranks at Newcastle, Tavernier played alongside last season’s loan star Haris Vuckic and the other four Toon players, who made the trip north for the second half of the campaign. [/article]

 

[King Binny]

Ivan Ramis - Eibar (free transfer)

[article]Eibar have announced the signing of defender Ivan Ramis from Levante on a one-year deal.

The Basques’ official website and Twitter account have both confirmed the 30-year-old passed a medical on Monday and subsequently began training with his new teammates.

Although there is no mention of whether the transfer was a loan or permanent arrangement, Ramis’ contract with Levante expired on July 1, according to Transfermarkt.

Ramis possesses plenty of top-flight experience, having played for the likes of Real Valladolid, Mallorca and Wigan Athletic before the Valencians.[/article]

Stefan Savic - Atlético de Madrid (reportedly €12 million)

[article=http://en.clubatleticodemadrid.com/noticias/agreement-with-fiorentina-for-the-transfer-of-stefan-savic]Atlético de Madrid and the Italian club Fiorentina have reached an agreement for the transfer of Stefan Savic to our club. The player arrived this Monday in Madrid, underwent the medical examination at the FREMAP Clinic of Las Rozas and Majadahonda and in the evening signed his contract for five seasons and joined the team’s concentration in Los Ángeles de San Rafael.

Under-21 international with the national team of Montenegro, Stefan Savic (Mojkovac, Montenegro, 16/8/1991) is a young promise who has great prospects. He started his football career in Serbia, with BSK Borca, a club with which he won the Serbian First Division in the 2008/09 season. He later signed with Belgrad’s Partizan, where he won the Super League and the Serbian Cup in the 2010/11 season.

He was signed by Manchester City to play the 2011/12 season, a club with which he won the Premier League and the Community Shield that season. From there, he went to Italy to play with Fiorentina in the 2012/13 season, the club he comes from.

He is a centre-field who can play on the right wing. In Fiorentina, he has uncovered as one of Calcio’s most important defenders.

Jose Luis Perez Caminero, Sporting Director of the club, believes this to be a great reinforcement: "We are very pleased by the agreement reached with Fiorentina, because Stefan is a player with huge prospects and a great future ahead. He is a quick and potent defender, with experience despite his youth due to having played in the top leagues of Serbia, England and Italy. I am convinced that he will contribute greatly to the team."[/article]

Emiliano Sala - Nantes (reportedly €1 million)

[article]Argentinian striker Emiliano Sala has swapped Bordeaux for their Ligue 1 rivals Nantes as the Canaries move to further strengthen an attack that lacked firepower last season.

The eight-time French champions announced that Sala, 24, had signed a five-year contract at the Stade de la Beaujoire after agreeing to move from their Atlantic derby rivals for a fee of around one million euros (£696,000, $1.08m).

Sala never managed to make the breakthrough at Bordeaux and spent the second half of last season on loan at Caen.

His arrival follows that of Icelandic international Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who joined from Ajax on a five-year deal earlier this month.

Nantes had the worst attack in Ligue 1 last season, scoring just 29 goals in 38 games.[/article]

Michel Dussuyer - Ivory Coast (Head Coach)

[article]Frenchman Michel Dussuyer has been appointed as the new coach of African champions Ivory Coast, according to the country's football federation (FIF).

56 year old Dussuyer has signed a two-year deal with the option to extend the contract.

He was on a final shortlist of two names along with compatriot Frederic Antonetti, after a third shortlisted candidate - Poland's Henry Kasperczak - withdrew to take over the vacant Tunisia coaching position.

Dussuyer replaces Herve Renard who won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast in Equatorial Guinea in February.

Renard resigned as coach of The Elephants to become a club coach with French side Lille.

Dussuyer has considerable experience of coaching in Africa.

He had three stints as coach of Guinea, and most recently took the Syli Nationale to the quarter-finals of the 2015 Nations Cup, where they eventually lost to runners-up Ghana.

He also coached Benin between 2008 and 2010 and before that, he worked as an assistant to Henri Michel with Ivory Coast.

His first competitive match in charge of Ivory Coast will be their 2017 Nations Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone in September.[/article]

Stéphane Besle - Lens

[article]RC Lens have signed defender Stéphane Besle on a three-year contract from St Gallen.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Bill Tuiloma - Marseille (Professional contract)

[article]All Whites midfielder Bill Tuiloma has signed a three-year professional deal with French club Olympique Marseille.

Tuiloma, who captained New Zealand at the recent under-20 FIFA World Cup, arrived at the club in 2013 and has now signed his first professional contact.

"I'm very happy to be here," he told Marseille's website.

"I think it's a good signing for me for three years and I'm proud to be here.

"My ambition is obviously to be in the starting eleven and be in the team for the important games."

Tuiloma arrived back at Marseille training last week and underwent a medical before signing his new deal.

The 20-year-old made his first team debut with the Ligue 1 side in February to become the first Kiwi to play in the top division of French football. Tuiloma made two appearances for the side last season.

Tuiloma, who can play fullback on both sides of the field and as a holding midfielder, made his senior All Whites debut in 2013.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Benjamin Stambouli - PSG (reportedly €8 million)

[article=http://www.psg.fr/en/News/003001/Article/71683/Benjamin-Stambouli-signs-until-2020]Aged 24, this former member of France U21 participated in the conquest of the Ligue 1 title in 2011-2012 (26 appearances) with Montpellier Hérault SC, where he was formed. After an experience in England, Benjamin Stambouli, who already completed 112 Ligue 1 games since his professional debuts, decided to come back to France to contribute to both Paris Saint-Germain national and European ambitions.

“I am delighted and very proud to become a member of the Paris Saint-Germain family. I wasn’t necessarily planning to leave the Premier League after one year but when a club with the dimension of Paris Saint-Germain calls you, it makes your choice a lot easier! That’s the moment when you can experience the power of attraction surrounding this club. I will now focus on my preparation. It will be important to take advantage of the friendly games that we still have to play in the US to find my marks on the pitch.”

“It is with a great pleasure that I welcome Benjamin Stambouli in our club, reacted Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain. He is a French player who already proved the impact that he can bring to a midfield both athletically and technically. France is going to rediscover a player that was full of promises when he was playing in Ligue 1. During our summer tour in North America, Benjamin will have the opportunity to get integrated to the squad and learn to work with our technical staff.”[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Aleksandar Mitrović - Newcastle (reportedly £13 million)

[article=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20150721/mitrovic-becomes-a-magpie_2281670_4877540]Newcastle United have completed the signing of striker Aleksandar Mitrović, subject to the player receiving the appropriate visa.

The 20-year-old Serbian international arrives from Anderlecht and has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at St. James' Park, which is the fourth biggest transfer in the Club's history.

Mitrović came through the ranks at Partizan Belgrade before making his debut for their affiliated side Teleoptik.

The summer of 2012 saw the front man sign his first professional contract with Partizan and he made a goalscoring bow in a Champions League qualifier against Maltese side Valletta, a competition in which he has gained extensive experience over the past three seasons.

Mitrović finished the 2012/13 campaign as Partizan's top scorer, helping his team to the Serbian SuperLiga title.

In August 2013, he moved to Belgium to join Anderlecht and scored 44 goals in 90 appearances across two seasons at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

Mitrović's performances for Serbia in the 2013 UEFA Under-19 Championships inspired his country to victory and earned him the Player of the Tournament award. The forward has now earned thirteen senior caps for his country.

Speaking of his arrival on Tyneside, he said: "I am so happy to have signed for Newcastle.

"I visited the stadium and it is amazing. I have played in a lot of impressive stadiums in my career but St. James' Park is so big, I can't wait to play my first game here.

"I know how passionate the fans are. This is a club with a very big history and the fans are a big part of that. There will be pressure here, for sure, but I like pressure.

"I also know about the famous players who have played for Newcastle United, like Alan Shearer, who is a hero of mine. I hope I can play like him for this Club. It will be an honour."

Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren added: "This is a fantastic signing for us. We have fought off a lot of competition to secure a top young talent in Europe.

"Aleksandar is someone who can develop with the team and someone who will help us to get to where we want to go.

"As a Board we have worked hard to make it happen. It is another demonstration that we are wanting to push on."[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Piotr Trochowski - Augsburg (free transfer)

[article]Augsburg have given former Hamburg midfielder Piotr Trochowski a one-year contract after he impressed during a trial with the Bavarians.

Trochowski, 31, was a free agent after being released by Sevilla at the end of last season and he has spent the last week training with Augsburg.

The contract offer includes the option of a second season.

"Piotr didn't only make a good impression in training and in a friendly match, but he has also made it very clear in his talks with us how motivated he is to take on the challenge of playing for Augsburg this season," Augsburg director of sport Stefan Reuter told the club's official website.

Trochowski added: "The two days of training last week and the friendly match were extremely positive and only strengthened my desire to move to Augsburg.

"That's why I'm so pleased it has worked out and that I have the chance with Augsburg to play in the Bundesliga again."

The former Bayern Munich player, who has 35 caps for Germany, has already made a big impression on his future teammates.

"I've rarely seen a player who was so convincing on trial," Augsburg midfielder Tobias Werner told kicker. "It's no coincidence that he's played so many international matches and played at top clubs in Europe."

Trochowski spent the past four seasons with Sevilla, winning the Europa League twice with the Spanish side, although he only appeared a total of 59 times in the Primera Division.[/article]

 

[Oncy]

Ivan Ramis - Eibar (free transfer)

[article]Eibar have announced the signing of defender Ivan Ramis from Levante on a one-year deal.

The Basques’ official website and Twitter account have both confirmed the 30-year-old passed a medical on Monday and subsequently began training with his new teammates.

Although there is no mention of whether the transfer was a loan or permanent arrangement, Ramis’ contract with Levante expired on July 1, according to Transfermarkt.

Ramis possesses plenty of top-flight experience, having played for the likes of Real Valladolid, Mallorca and Wigan Athletic before the Valencians.[/article]

He looks proper different since his Ghostbuster days.

 

[King Binny]

Tjaronn Chery - QPR (reportedly £1.7 million)

[article=http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/qpr-sign-tjaronn-chery-groningen-2559372.aspx#cXYpqHG5yYGbUlso.99]QPR have completed the signing of highly-rated Dutch ace Tjaronn Chery.

The 27 year-old has signed a three year deal at Loftus Road, after Rangers activated an undisclosed release clause with FC Groningen for the attacker’s services.

Chery becomes QPR’s sixth signing of the summer and his arrival represents a significant coup for the R’s, who beat off stiff competition from a number of other clubs to clinch his signature.

Director of Football, Les Ferdinand, told www.qpr.co.uk: “We’ve been trying to get this one over the line for a while now, so we’re delighted it’s finalised.

“There were a lot of clubs in for him, including some from the Premier League, so it’s pleasing that he’s decided to come here.

“He had offers to earn much more money elsewhere, but he’s chosen QPR because he feels he can progress here as a player and that’s fantastic.

“You hear a lot these days about players being versatile and we’ve certainly got that going forward now. Tjaronn is another one that fits in that mould. He can rotate across that front-line and is very effective in a central or wide role.”

An attacking midfielder with an impressive goalscoring record, last season was the most prolific of Chery’s career to date, scoring 15 goals in 34 appearances in the Eredivisie.

He is now looking forward to the next chapter of his career in West London, adding: “I am very happy to be here and looking forward to playing for QPR.

“Playing in England has always been a dream of mine and having spoken to Leroy (Fer), he said that QPR is a good fit for me.

“I know the passion of the English fans and how they like to see football played and I can’t wait to show what I can do here. It’s a really exciting move for me in the best years of my career.”

R’s Head Coach, Chris Ramsey, is relishing the opportunity to work with the former ADO Den Haag playmaker, adding: “Tjaronn is a very good technician, a fine player.

“He can play in a variety of positions in the top half of the field and will bring more pace to our squad, which is something I knew we needed after last season.

“We’ve had him watched at length and we’re really happy we’ve got him on board with a few weeks to go until the start of the season.”[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Nolan Roux - St Etienne (reportedly €2 million)

[article]St Etienne have completed their fourth summer signing, bringing in Lille forward Nolan Roux on a three-year deal.

Roux, who scored 10 goals in all competitions for Les Dogues last term, joins fellow new recruits Vincent Pajot, Kevin Theophile-Catherine and Benoit Assou-Ekotto at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

St Etienne chairman Roland Romeyer is delighted to secure the 27-year-old's services.

He told the club's official website: "Nolan Roux fits the profile of our club. He knows Ligue 1 well and has European experience.

"He is a complete striker who works hard."[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Paul Trollope- Wales (National Team Coach)

[article]Cardiff City head coach Paul Trollope has been appointed Wales national team coach.

Trollope replaces Fulham manager Kit Symons in the role who stepped down to concentrate on his role as Cottagers boss.

The 43-year-old, who joined Cardiff in February, will carry out his Wales role on a part-time basis.

Osian Roberts has been promoted to assistant manager to Chris Coleman.

Former Wales midfielder Trollope, previously managed Bristol Rovers and was also first-team coach at Birmingham City and Norwich City.

During five years as manager of Bristol Rovers, he guided the club to promotion to League One in 2007.

As a player he played with Wales manager Coleman, who is delighted to have him on board.

"On both a personal and professional level, we are very sad to lose Kit, but I fully understand the reasons behind his decision and wish him the very best of luck at Fulham," said Coleman.

"I am however, delighted to welcome on board another former team-mate of mine, Paul Trollope, who is a young and highly thought of coach.

"Paul will be a great team member and will fit in perfectly with the staff."

Bluebirds chief executive Ken Choo says Trollope has their backing to take on the extra workload.

"As a club we are proud and pleased to see Paul recognised by the FAW," said Choo.

"Whilst his primary focus remains on the task at hand here at Cardiff City, we are happy for the national side to use Paul's talent to their benefit, at agreed junctures, as they pursue a place in the European Championships.

"It goes without saying that they have our full backing during this exciting time."[/article]

 

[Hansern]

@PetterVeland: Offisielt: Valencia har kjøpt den 23 år gamle keeperen Mathew Ryan fra Club Brugge for €7M, og signert en 6-årskontrakt med ham. #cmore

Matt Ryan to Valencia

 

[King Binny]

Sacha Petshi - Blackburn (free transfer)

[article=http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/sacha-petshi-new-signing-blackburn-rovers-2561123.aspx#4Mt1TXbV4QGoLPkQ.99]Rovers have completed their first signing of the summer with the arrival of French midfielder Sacha Petshi.

The 23-year-old has put pen-to-paper a one-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, following a successful trial at the club.

“I’m very happy to sign for Blackburn," he said. "It is a good club, with good facilities and a good team.

“It has always been my goal to play in England. I love English football and I think my physique will suit the English game.

“I’m here to play, to learn and to help the team win lots of games.”

A combative central midfielder, Petshi began his footballing education with Troyes, before joining fellow French outfit Orléans on loan.

After a short spell in Serbia, with Sloboda Užice, Petshi returned to his homeland last season, featuring regularly for Corsican club CA Bastia.

Having linked up with Rovers earlier this summer, the 6'4" Frenchman impressed in the pre-season victory against Accrington Stanley and on the warm weather training camp in Portugal, and had no hesitation in committing his immediate future to the club.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Jonathan Kodjia - Bristol City (reportedly €3 million)

[article=http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/kodjia-becomes-first-summer-signing-2559782.aspx#2lsx4kzr0tQiz3DV.99]City have completed the signing of Angers SCO forward Jonathan Kodjia for €3m.

The 25-year-old has penned a three-year contract, with a further year club option, during the club’s pre-season tour of Portugal.

Kodjia was one of the leading scorers in the French Ligue 2 last season, helping his side Angers to promotion.

Manager Steve Cotterill told bcfc.co.uk of his new recruit: “We’re very pleased Jonathan has decided to join us because there has been lots of interest in him in the past year.

“He was voted Player of the Year in the French second division last season and has an excellent goals-to-game ratio (15 in 29 appearances in 2014/15).

“He’s a good age, has great pace, has scored some fantastic goals, and more importantly will fit into the young group we already have. We’ve kept an eye on him for the last 12 months, so it’s great we’ve been able to get him on board.

“When you look at the striker market out there now some of the prices quoted are completely out of our reach and unrealistic, so to get Jonathan at the price we have we feel is good business.

“Attack is an area we’re light in, especially with the injury to Kieran Agard, so now we have signed another striker that allows us to concentrate on strengthening other areas of the team.”

Kodjia began his career with Reims and enjoyed loan spells with Cherbourg, Amiens and Caen before switching to Angers in 2014.

The forward followed in the footsteps of Oliver Giroud and Diafra Sakho by collecting Ligue 2’s Player of the Year award last season, and is now looking forward to challenging himself in England. [/article]

 

[King Binny]

@PetterVeland: Offisielt: Valencia har kjøpt den 23 år gamle keeperen Mathew Ryan fra Club Brugge for €7M, og signert en 6-årskontrakt med ham. #cmore

Matt Ryan to Valencia

[article]Valencia Football Club have reached an agreement with Belgian side Club Brugge KV to sign Australian international goalkeeper Mathew Ryan on a six-year deal.

After passing a mandatory medical today, the 23-year old goalkeeper is immediately available to manager Nuno Espírito Santo for training with his new teammates later this afternoon.

Ryan has been named the best goalkeeper in the Belgian League for the last two seasons, and in the most recent campaign won the Belgian Cup with Club Brugge KV. He played 68 games last season, consisting of a total of 58 official matches for his former club, plus a further 10 with the Australian national team.

After signing his contract and visiting Mestalla Stadium, Ryan expressed his joy with the move, saying that he is “very happy and excited to be joining as big a club as Valencia CF. I know that the club is a very important institution in the world of football and that this move is a big step in my professional career.” The goalkeeper added that: “Of course, I was following Valencia CF in La Liga last season. They are a side with fantastic players, who had a great campaign and took fourth place in the league. Our main objective now is to qualify for the Champions League.”

Valencia CF Chairwoman, LayHoon Chan, spoke about the new reinforcement for the squad: "It has not been an easy task looking for a Champions League-level goalkeeper. Mathew may be young, but he is ambitious and a player with huge potential. Furthermore, he has experience in Europe and at international level, including the 2014 World Cup. We believe he will make a major impact at Valencia CF.”

Mathew Ryan, born on April 8th, 1992, has been a full international on 18 occasions for Australia and was called up to the ‘Socceroos’ squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The new Valencia CF signing was named Best Goalkeeper in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, a tournament won by his country on January 31st of this year.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Raul Albentosa - Malaga (loan with option to buy)

[article=http://www.malagacf.com/en/new/first-team/malaga-cf-incorporates-albentosa-after-loan-agreement-for-one-season-with-derby-county-fc/241/73178]Málaga Club de Fútbol and Derby County Football Club have reached an agreement for Raúl Albentosa Redal (Alzira, Valencia, 07/09/1988) to join the Martiricos Club on loan for 2015/16, with an option to buy at the end of the year. Albentosa, who has already passed the medical, is a central defender known as one of the most reliable in the Spanish competition with SD Eibar, the team with whom he gained First Division promotion in 2013/14. The player will shortly be officially presented, although a date has not yet been set.

Raúl Albentosa Redal (Alzira, Valencia, 07/09/1988) began his footballing career with Elche CF, making his official first team debut in the last match of the 2007/08 season in the Second Division. The central defender played more matches and gained a great deal of experience with Third Division side, Murcia Imperial, and also in Second Division B with teams including Caravaca CF, San Roque de Lepe and Cádiz CF.

Albentosa signed to Sociedad Deportiva Eibar in 2013/14, and was a credit to the team, becoming a key player in their promotion to the BBVA League, taking part in 33 matches and scoring two goals. Last season he made his debut in the top flight of Spanish football with SD Eibar, and again proved his worth in defence. He played 17 games, and true to his good background on the attack, scored two goals. His progression sparked the interest of Championship side, Derby County, where he was signed in the winter transfer market after they paid his buyout clause. Following a period of adapting with the English team, he took part in nine official matches.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Patrick Bamford - Crystal Palace (loan)

[article=http://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/article/crystal-palace-are-delighted-to-announce-the-signing-of-chelseas-patrick-bamford-on-a-season-long-loan-2561387.aspx#oxQdFh37d4wtDO2r.99]Crystal Palace are pleased to announce the signing of England under-21 international Patrick Bamford from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old striker arrives from the Blues having starred at Middlesbrough last season where he scored 17 times in the Championship and named the division’s Player of the Year.

Bamford becomes the Club’s second summer signing after the arrival of Yohan Cabaye earlier this month.

Commenting on his signing, Bamford said, “I was quite keen to stay close to London this time and Palace were actually my first choice, but I didn't realise they were keen to start with. Then, when I met with the manager, he put forward his plans and it was an easy decision."

The England under-21 added, “I like to get in behind the defence. I'd say I'm deceptively quick, but I'm sure they'll make their own minds up! I do like to score goals, so hopefully I'll be able to do that a lot here. I want to try to establish myself in a Premier League team and if I can do that here then it would be great for me and great for the club.”

Eagles manager Alan Pardew was delighted by the young forward’s decision to join the club for the season.

“It’s a coup for Crystal Palace ahead of a host of rivals,” he said. “I’m so pleased he chose us over others to help develop his game. Hopefully he will be a star for us, Chelsea and – of course – England.

“Patrick is one of England’s brightest prospects and I will liaise with Jose [Mourinho], Gareth [Southgate] and Dan Ashworth on his progress during this important year in his career.”

Bamford began his career at Nottingham Forest where he progressed through their Academy and played twice for the first-team before being signed by Chelsea for £1.5 million in January 2012. He then enjoyed a couple of loan spells with MK Dons between 2012 and 2014, where he scored 21 goals in 44 games in League One and more recently in the Championship for Derby County where he played the second half of 2013/14, as the Rams narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

Last season saw him move to Teeside where he was an instant success, scoring 19 times in all competitions including once against Manchester City in the FA Cup where Boro pulled off an upset win at the Etihad Stadium.

As well as representing his country at under-21 level, he has also played for the Three Lions at under-18 and under-20 levels. He was included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the UEFA Under-21 Championships this summer but missed out on the tournament through injury.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Allan - Napoli (reportedly €12 million)

[article]Napoli have officially completed the signing of Udinese midfielder Allan, after a drawn-out transfer saga.

The clubs had been in negotiations for weeks regarding the Brazilian midfielder, and a deal appeared to be drawing close when the player arrived in Naples last night.

The Partenopei have now officially confirmed the transfer in a brief statement on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of Allan signing his contract alongside club President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The 24-year-old become’s the Vesuviani’s third major signing of the season, following Mirko Valdifiori and Pepe Reina.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Mauodo Diallo - Roma

[article=http://www.sport-english.com/en/noticias/italia/roma-complete-signing-teenager-mauodo-diallo-from-barcelona-4375329]Despite the criticism of FC Barcelona's academy, it continues to be rated highly across the world. A sign of that is that important clubs from across Europe are regularly interested in players with a La Masia background.

In some cases, transfers end up being done, in others, there isn't so much activity, but the moves for the players are constant.

The most recent confirmed move is that of Mauodo Diallo, who is now a Roma player. Born in Senegal 15 years ago, he has been at Barça for the last four seasons.

He's a defender who has played to a good level, but he spent last season injured, halting his development at the Catalan club and leading to him missing minutes when he did return.

That prompted his agent, Nunzio Marchione, to look for a new club. And the chosen destination, from a range of offers, has been Roma.

Diallo has signed for three years with the Italian club and will play in the club's Primavera team.

At Roma, he will join another former Barça player, the Paraguayan Tony Sanabria, who is now 19.[/article]

 

[Ryan]

[article]Valencia Football Club have reached an agreement with Belgian side Club Brugge KV to sign Australian international goalkeeper Mathew Ryan on a six-year deal.

After passing a mandatory medical today, the 23-year old goalkeeper is immediately available to manager Nuno Espírito Santo for training with his new teammates later this afternoon.

Ryan has been named the best goalkeeper in the Belgian League for the last two seasons, and in the most recent campaign won the Belgian Cup with Club Brugge KV. He played 68 games last season, consisting of a total of 58 official matches for his former club, plus a further 10 with the Australian national team.

After signing his contract and visiting Mestalla Stadium, Ryan expressed his joy with the move, saying that he is “very happy and excited to be joining as big a club as Valencia CF. I know that the club is a very important institution in the world of football and that this move is a big step in my professional career.” The goalkeeper added that: “Of course, I was following Valencia CF in La Liga last season. They are a side with fantastic players, who had a great campaign and took fourth place in the league. Our main objective now is to qualify for the Champions League.”

Valencia CF Chairwoman, LayHoon Chan, spoke about the new reinforcement for the squad: "It has not been an easy task looking for a Champions League-level goalkeeper. Mathew may be young, but he is ambitious and a player with huge potential. Furthermore, he has experience in Europe and at international level, including the 2014 World Cup. We believe he will make a major impact at Valencia CF.”

Mathew Ryan, born on April 8th, 1992, has been a full international on 18 occasions for Australia and was called up to the ‘Socceroos’ squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The new Valencia CF signing was named Best Goalkeeper in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, a tournament won by his country on January 31st of this year.[/article]

Good move for him. He's a real talent this kid, if he carries on the way he's going he'll be at a European heavyweight in a few years.

 

[King Binny]

Reece James - Wigan (reportedy £1 million)

[article=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/reece-james-signs-for-wigan-athletic-from-manchester-united-2559636.aspx#y43K7p8udP0umrtD.99]Wigan Athletic can confirm the signing of Manchester United full back Reece James for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year-deal at the DW Stadium and has joined up with the rest of the Latics squad as they travel to Scotland for a training camp this week.

Gary Caldwell, Latics manager said, “Reece is a young player with a bright future. He has been schooled by one of the best academies around and has impressed both at Under 21 level and whilst on loan.

“He is another who will strengthen competition on that left side, and has played as a full-back, or in a wing back role. Once again, there were clubs after him so we’re delighted to add him to the squad.”

Bacup-born James has been a professional with the Manchester United Development squad since 2012, making one appearance for the first team in a competitive match. He also scored twice on his first team debut in a pre-season match at LA Galaxy in the summer of 2014

He enjoyed two separate loan spells at Championship clubs last season, starting with Rotherham United, then at Huddersfield Town. He also had a short spell at Carlisle United in 2013-14.

He joins David Perkins, Richard O’Donnell, Craig Morgan, Donervon Daniels, Sanmi Odelusi, Max Power, Craig Davies and Will Grigg as the new arrivals at the DW Stadium this summer.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Miguel Britos - Watford (undisclosed fee)

[article=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/150721-miguel-britos-signs-for-watford-fc-from-napoli-2561465.aspx#f6KZkoHXKR3cdsVU.99]WATFORD have strengthened their squad further with the permanent signing of experienced Uruguayan defender Miguel Britos.

The 30-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Vicarage Road.

Britos joins the Hornets from Italian Serie A side Napoli, where the central defender played more than 100 times between 2011 and 2015.

During that time he played his part in Napoli’s second-place Serie A finish in 2012/13, also winning the Coppa Italia twice and the Super Cup once.

After beginning his professional career at Uruguayan outfits Centro Atletico Fenix, Juventud de Las Piedras and Montevideo Wanderers, Britos secured a move to Italy with Bologna in 2008.

The 6ft 2in defender made 71 appearances for ‘I Rossoblu’, before completing a €9million transfer to Napoli ahead of the 2011/12 season.[/article]

Moryké Fofana - Lorient (undisclosed fee)

[article]Norwegian side Lillestrøm have confirmed a fee agreement is in place for the transfer of striker Moryké Fofana to Ligue 1 side FC Lorient.

Fofana is due in France imminently to finalise a contract with Les Merlus and to undergo a medical. Fofana is an Ivorian attacker who at the age of 23 has scored only 13 times in 71 matches.[/article]

OptaJean ‏@OptaJean
22 - Moryke Fofana has been involved in 22 goals in Tippeligaen since 2014, more than any other Lillestrøm player (13g., 9 assists). Merlu.

Duvan Zapata - Udinese (2 year loan)

[article]Napoli striker Duvan Zapata has officially joined Udinese on a two-year loan, as part of the Allan deal.


Brazilian midfielder Allan officially completed his move to the Partenopei yesterday, and as expected the Colombian forward has moved in the other direction.

“Udinese Calcio announces that it has acquired Duvan Zapata on a two-year loan from SSC Napoli,” a statement on the Zebrette’s website confirmed.

“Zapata will remain in Udine until June 30, 2017. The player has already joined up with the rest of the team, and is in the squad for tonight’s friendly with Panathinaikos.”[/article]

Ricardo Quaresma - Besiktas

[article]Despite the fan club's official cancelation of his airport greeting, Ricardo Quaresma, aka Q7, touched down in İstanbul amid the chants of thousands of fans ecstatic at his potential return to Beşiktaş.

The Portuguese striker landed at İstanbul Atatürk Airport at 6:05 p.m. on Tuesday to continue talks with the Black Eagles and attend his physical on Wednesday morning. Beşiktaş supporters flooded the airport and chanted “Quaresma, Quaresma, Ole Ole Ole” as he made his way through the airport.
“It is a joy for me to play for Beşiktaş. Everyone knows the ties I have with the Beşiktaş fans. I am very happy to be here,” the forward told Beşiktaş's BJK TV on Tuesday evening.

He came from Lisbon, where he played as forward for FC Porto. He is midfielder for the Portugal national team.

The club's major fan group Çarşı announced that they would not greet Quaresma at the airport out of respect for the 32 youth activists who were killed in an apparent Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) suicide attack in the southeastern Turkish town of Suruç on Monday. He was heartily received nonetheless.

Beşiktaş is currently training for the new season in Austria. Quaresma will probably join the training camp when he is finished with business in İstanbul.
Striker woes

Compared to rivals Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, Beşiktaş has done little with the summer transfer window. Fenerbahçe secured a string of world-class players, culminating in the purchase of high-flying Netherlands striker Robin van Persie from Manchester United. Galatasaray acquired Germany striker Lukas Podolski.

The Black Eagles let go of their top scorer and more after failing to secure the Super League championship yet again, despite leading the standings for most of the season. The last-minute meltdown, while characteristic of Beşiktaş in recent years, is not acceptable and reform has begun at the club. Croatian coach Slaven Bilic has been replaced with Şenol Güneş.

The problem with needing reform is that Beşiktaş lacks the funds of its competitors. That makes buying top-notch attacking power a difficult proposition. Instead, the Black Eagles are content to revert to the tried and true, despite the fact that it did not help them win championships in the past.

The club will be in trouble if it does not replace outgoing striker Demba Ba, who came in second as most prolific striker in the Super League last season.
Eagles' return

Quaresma was a fan favorite in 2010-12, his first stint at the Black Eagles, which started the year after Beşiktaş's most recent championship. The club has not won a title since 2009. The Portuguese star did lead the club to a 2011 Ziraat Turkish Cup win, even though he failed to help them win the league championship.

Quaresma left Beşiktaş on poor terms with then-coach Carlos Carvalhal after several months of being left off the team. The two had had a spat, when the Portuguese coach subbed him off prematurely, something that Quaresma took offense to.

He later joined Dubai's Al Ahli in 2013 and moved home to Porto in 2014. Quaresma earlier played with Porto in 2004-08. He has also played for Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea on loan, in addition to Sporting CP, his youth club. He moved up to their professional team in 2001.

“I want to win even more at Beşiktaş than the honors I won with Porto,” Quaresma said. In Portugal, he has three Premeira Liga trophies, a Taça de Portugal, a Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira and an Intercontinental Cup.

“I cannot forget the Turkish Cup I won with Beşiktaş. I think I put out good work here. I want to continue the good matches and win the championship,” he said. “Beşiktaş could have been champion last year, but we need to forget last season. We have a good team and coach. We need to look ahead. We must gather together to become the champion,” he added.

Quaresma may have learned just enough to help him carry the Eagles to victory in his second coming. But in the end, he is just one striker. If Beşiktaş wants to win a title, it will have to cultivate an entire team that gets ahead like last year, but does not choke when getting down to the wire.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Manuel Lanzini - West Ham (loan with option to buy)

[article=http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/July/22-July/Hammers-snatch-%E2%80%98The-Jewel%E2%80%99#QQ8mY6qcA1b77zrg.99]West Ham United have unearthed a gem after completing the loan signing of Argentine playmaker Manuel ‘The Jewel’ Lanzini.

The 22-year-old has joined the Hammers on a season-long deal, with an option to make it permanent, from UAE Arabian Gulf League club Al-Jazira after passing his medical at Spire Roding Hospital, West Ham United’s official private hospital.

Lanzini, who came through the same River Plate youth system that produced the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Ariel Ortega and former Hammer Javier Mascherano, is an exciting attacking midfielder who can both create and score goals.

Having sealed his summer switch to the Boleyn Ground, Lanzini spoke of a massive step in his still young career.

“This is very emotional because it is one of the best teams I have ever signed for," he told West Ham TV. "It is a very important step for my career and for my future.

“I am looking forward to what is a new era for me. I’m very happy and I look forward to meeting my new teammates.

“This is a new challenge for me and that can only help in the future. It will test my ability in one of the best leagues in the world, so I am looking forward to getting started.

“I am someone who always gives 100 per cent. I’m an attacking player, I can change the game’s tempo and I hope to give my maximum for the fans to appreciate me."

Born in the Ituzaingó Partido of the Greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area to Italian ancestry, Lanzini joined River Plate at the age of nine in 2002.

At 17, he made his professional debut in a 1-0 home win over Tigre on 8 August 2010, and went on to make 22 league appearances for River in is debut season.

Summer 2011 saw Lanzini loaned to Brazilian giants Fluminense, where he impressed by scoring twice in 22 appearances as a teenager, helping the club to win the Serie A title.

With that experience under his belt, the player returned to River, where he was handed the coveted No10 shirt, helping the club to reach the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals and scoring a career-high eight goals in 26 league appearances in 2012/13.

A packed 2013/14 saw Lanzini play 41 times in all competitions for River, helping the Buenos Aires club to reach the last-eight of the Copa Sudamericana and attracting the attention of clubs all over the world.

It was Al-Jazira who moved for the exciting talent, securing Lanzini’s path to Abu Dhabi, where he became the youngest foreign player to appear in the UAE Arabian Gulf League at the age of 21.

Again wearing the No10 shirt, Lanzini teamed up with Montenego and ex-Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic and Burkina Faso and former Hamburg midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa to score eight goals in 24 league appearances to help Al-Jazira to finish as league runners-up last season.

At international level, the creative South American has been capped four times by Argentina at U20 level and will hope to make the step up to the senior squad if he can impress in Claret and Blue.

Lanzini becomes West Ham’s seventh summer signing following the arrivals of Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, Pedro Obiang, Carl Jenkinson, Stephen Hendrie and Darren Randolph.[/article]

OptaJavier ‏@OptaJavier https://twitter.com/OptaJavier/status/623865705314799617
678 - In his last tournament with River, Manuel Lanzini (@whufc_official) made a league-high 678 successful passes in the opp. half. Hammer

 

[King Binny]

Martin Cranie - Huddersfield (free transfer)

[article=http://www.htafc.com/news/article/huddersfield-town-martin-cranie-transfer-signing-2563899.aspx#tA3L1U7suQ1yidtY.99]Manager Chris Powell has today made Martin Cranie his fifth signing for Huddersfield Town’s First Team in the summer 2015 transfer window.

The 28 year-old defender, who has been on trial with the Club for almost three weeks, has signed a one year contract running until 30 June 2016, with Town having the option of a further season.

The Yeovil-born defender, who was a free agent after leaving Barnsley at the conclusion of last season, has played 223 games in the Sky Bet Championship for the likes of Southampton, Coventry City and the Tykes. In Town’s current squad, only Mark Hudson, Dean Whitehead, Sean Scannell and Adam Hammill have played more games in England’s top two divisions than Cranie.

Huddersfield Town Manager Chris Powell explained:

“I’m very happy that Martin has joined the Club for the 2015/16 season.

“When I learned Martin was available to come in on trial with us, I wanted us to take up the opportunity and he subsequently was part of the week-long pre-season training camp in Spain and played 45 minutes in the friendlies against Guiseley, Leyton Orient and Grimsby Town.

“He has fitted into the group very well in terms of his personality and ability and came into pre-season in fantastic shape; he’s a good professional and very motivated.

“I think he fits the bill for us, as he has great know-how of the division and can play all across the back four, with his strongest position being centre back. He will strengthen our defensive options and add real depth for the defensive positions in my team.

“We have a good balance in our signings of Dean Whitehead, Jason Davidson, Kyle Dempsey, Jordy Hiwula and now Martin, so I’m really pleased with how the squad is taking shape ahead of the start of the Sky Bet Championship season at Hull City on 8 August.”

Cranie, a former England Under-21 international, graduated from the Southampton Academy and went onto play 25 games for the Saints in the top two divisions, whilst furthering his senior experience through loan spells at AFC Bournemouth and Yeovil Town.

He made a permanent move to Portsmouth in 2007, although his two seasons at Pompey included further spells on loan at Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic.

His transfer to Championship Coventry City in 2009 brought regular First Team football; he played 120 games over the course of three seasons.

Martin moved on to fellow Championship side Barnsley in the summer of 2012, where he played another 122 games – mostly as Captain – before leaving Oakwell in June 2015. [/article]