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Boro clinch triple signing

January 15, 2010

Championship outfit Middlesbrough have raided Glasgow Celtic and have signed three players from Gordon Strachan’s former club. Barry Robson, Chris Killen and Willo Flood who were all on the fringes of Celtic’s first team have jumped at the opportunity to pair up with their former boss Strachan at Teeside.

Left Winger Robson has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the option of a further year. Robson has seven caps for Scotland against his name and has won a League title with the Glasgow club. Chris Killen is a New Zealand international who had considerable success with Oldham and Hibernian before transferring to Celtic. At Celtic, he could manage only two goals in 26 appearances. A move back to England would see him get some valuable playing time ahead of the World Cup.

Willo Flood started his career at Manchester City but never really made an impact at CoMS. The Ireland U-21 international will return to England after spells with Dundee United and Celtic. Central defender Gary Caldwell who initially was part of this giant deal chose to join Wigan at the last moment. The three players will directly go into Boro’s 18-man squad against Sheffield United.

Middlesbrough have also confirmed that Egytian midfielder Mohammad Shawky has joined Turkish club Kayserispor on a free transfer.

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Written by admin · Filed Under Championship

Dons sign winger Townsend on loan

January 14, 2010

League One side Milton Keynes Dons have signed young winger Andros Townsend on loan till the end of the season. The Leytonstone born 18 year old has arrived in Buckinghamshire from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

This is Townsend’s third loan stint. In March 2009, he went to Yeovil Town and made 10 appearances for the Somerset outfit. He, along with fellow Spurs youth product Jonathan Obika, were instrumental in helping the Glovers avoid relegation.

In August 2009, Leyton Orient signed him on a one month loan that was eventually extended till the end of the year. He made 22 league appearances for Orient and scored two goals for them.

Townsend is expected to go straight into the Dons squad to face Hartlepool United this weekend.

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Written by admin · Filed Under League One

Stoke boss confident of James signing

January 14, 2010

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has revealed that he is confident that Portsmouth keeper David James will be part of his squad in time for their clash with Liverpool on Saturday. A loan deal is being discussed by chief executives Peter Storrie and Tony Scholes.

Pulis said: “We’ll have to see if the two clubs (Stoke and Portsmouth) can come to a deal and we’re hoping it will be tied up for the weekend, but it will have to be right for us.

“If we can get him we’ll be absolutely delighted because if there’s a weakness (in the squad) it’s been between the sticks in respect of having competition and back-up.

“We lost Thomas (to injury) immediately before the Fulham game and if anything had happened to (deputy) Steve Simonsen, then we wouldn’t have had a goalkeeper.

“It would have been a tragedy for us, and it really opens up your eyes. So we’ve an opportunity to bring in a top-class goalkeeper because we have heard he might be available.”

Pulis is aware that David James is desperate to perform well in the next few months, as the 39 year-old is hoping to be Fabio Capello’s England number one at this summers World Cup.

The Potter’s boss added: “You are signing a goalkeeper of real quality, and if he comes here he has a few months’ football to play. Sorensen has done brilliantly, so they will both be fighting for that one spot, but he (James) has something to prove as well.

“He’ll want to be on that plane to South Africa, and that attracts me to him more than anything else. He is desperate to play for England in the World Cup. So if we can bring him in and give him the opportunity to prove he is the best goalkeeper in England, and he proves that, then we’ll be delighted.”

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Written by football writer · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

Laws new boss at Burnley

January 13, 2010

Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws has been confirmed as the new Burnley boss. The former Clarets star has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Turf Moor. Laws has never managed in the Premier League but believes he can be a big hit in the top flight.

The 48 year-old told Sky Sports News: “There’s still some people here that I played with and worked with so it’s almost like coming back home and I am relishing the challenge, I’m looking forward to it and I’m honoured that Burnley has asked me to be their manager.”

He continued: “I’ve been in the game a long time. Even though I’m 48 I’ve managed over 700 games and I’ve had two clubs in 14 years so I’ve had the experiences in all the divisions and the one that we’re all striving to get to is the Premier League and there are very few opportunities that come along.

“I think this is a perfect opportunity, not just for myself, but I think the combination, the way that Burnley want to play, the ethos of the football club, it is just we match each other on that.

“I want to be challenged with the best, just as much as the players and the supporters – just because it’s not on my CV and I haven’t worked in the Premiership doesn’t necessarily say I can’t do the job. I’m a manager and I manage football clubs.”

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Written by football writer · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

Neill close to Galatasaray switch

January 13, 2010

Premier League club Everton have confirmed that they are considering a bid reported to be around £750,000 for their Australian defender Lucas Neill from Turkish club Galatasaray. The 31-year old had signed a one-year contract with Everton after being released by West Ham United and the Toffees are already looking to offload the Australian.

Neill has made 15 appearances for David Moyes this season but none of them has been in Europe as he was not registered for the Europa League. Galatasaray have made it to the knockout stages of the competition and Neill’s experience may well prove handy for the Turkish outfit.

Neill had been unhappy with the length of his contract at Everton and a move to Turkey would help him command more first team football. The money gained from the transfer would also help Everton to reinvest in new players. A move to Galatasaray would also unite Neill with his Australian team mate Harry Kewell. Everton are targeting unsettled Arsenal defender Phillipe Senderos to replace Neill at Goodison Park.

The Turkish giants are also interested in pricing away Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham Hotspur. But a £10million price tag is proving to be a stumbling block for Galatasaray

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Written by admin · Filed Under Football Rumours, Premier League Transfers

Wigan sign Caldwell from Celtic

January 13, 2010

Wigan have swooped to sign Scottish defender Gary Caldwell from Glasgow Celtic. The fee is reported to be around £1m and the player will earn in the range of £20,000 a week. Caldwell has put pen to paper on a four and a half year deal.

The former Hibernian player was expected to transfer to Championship outfit Middlesbrough but Roberto Martinez swooped quickly for the 27-year old before he could join the Championship outfit. Caldwell is a product of the Newcastle youth system. He played for the Magpies at various junior levels but was not considered good enough to make a senior appearance.

Caldwell’s star had been on the rise since last year when he was voted 2009 Clydesdale Bank SPL Player of the Year as well as Scottish Football Writers Footballer of the Year. During his time with Glasgow Celtic, the defender won two League titles and two domestic Cups.

Caldwell becomes the third signing of the window for Wigan Athletic following the arrivals of Steven Gohouri and Vladimir Stojkovic. Caldwell is very versatile player who plays with equal ease at centre-back, right-back and as a defensive midfielder.

Caldwell sounded very upbeat about the move, “To play in the Premier League has always been an ambition of mine but I know how tough it’s going to be to get in the side and I need to focus on winning a place and doing the best I can for my new club. It’s a massive wrench for me to leave a club like Celtic but I want to thank the club and all the fans for the support they’ve given me in my time there. But I’m a Wigan Athletic player now and I can’t wait to get started in the Premier League.”

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Written by admin · Filed Under Football Rumours, Premier League Transfers

Wigan sign Ivorian defender

January 12, 2010

Premier League Wigan Athletic have signed Ivory Coast international defender Steven Gohouri on a free transfer. The 28 year-old impressed Latic’s boss Roberto Martinez during a trial at the DW Stadium and has signed a contract until the end of the season.

Gohouri left German Bundesliga team Borussia Moenchengladbach in December after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent. Latics boss Roberto Martinez thinks the defender will bring experience to his defence.

Martinez told the clubs official website: “Steven has a fantastic attitude and is desperate to play for Wigan Athletic,”

“He has good experience, having played in several European leagues and in what has been a very difficult period for clubs because of the weather interrupting the training routines, he has gone about his business very professionally and shown us he has the potential to play in the best league in the world.

“He is a tremendous athlete, very powerful in the air, strong in the tackle and technically excellent. He will add serious competition for places in the squad and I am delighted to welcome him into the Wigan Athletic family.”

Gohouri said: “I am so grateful that Wigan have given me a chance to prove myself and I am desperate to repay that faith and show the manager, the club, and the supporters that they have made a good choice.

“There is a lot of quality in the squad but it’s up to me now to force my way into the team and make an impression.”

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Written by football writer · Filed Under Football Rumours, Premier League Transfers

Okaka close to Fulham switch

January 12, 2010

Fulham have agreed a six month loan deal for Roma striker Stefano Okaka. The Cottagers also have an option to extend his contract by another year after the initial six month period. The deal has been finalised between the two clubs. The transfer of the Italy under-20 international will take place as soon as he agrees personal terms. Roma have agreed to the deal as Okaka has dropped down the pecking order at Stadio Olimpico after the arrival of Luca Toni from Bayern Munich.

Roy Hodgson lost his main target-man Bobby Zamora through injury in their last game against Stoke. Zamora who has dislocated his shoulder will take up to eight weeks to recover and Okaka is expected to play a major role in his absence.

Okaka has made 23 appearances for Roma since 2005 but has scored only once. He has achieved considerable success at loan spells away to Modena and Brescia. Okaka refused offers from Bari and Chievo to sign for Roy Hodgson. The Fulham manager is believed to be a big fan of the Italian and Roma’s sporting director Daniele Prade has also endorsed the deal, “He is 20 and the Premier League is the right tournament for him to prove his characteristics and potential.(Roy) Hodgson has already stated his full confidence in the player, the only thing missing is Stefano’s signature.”

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Written by admin · Filed Under Football Rumours, Premier League Transfers

Celtic sign Swedish defender

January 11, 2010

SPL side Celtic have signed Swedish defender Jos Hooiveld from Solna for £1.8million. The 26 year-old has signed a three and a half year contract at Parkhead. Hooiveld helped Solna to the Swedish title last season and will be hoping to repeat the trick in the SPL this season.

Hooiveld will go straight into the squad for the game against Falkirk this weekend. The defender is likely to take the place of Gary Caldwell, who could be leaving the Hoops this month with Championship Middlesbrough showing an interest in the Scottish international.

Hooiveld told the clubs official website: “I’m delighted to sign for a club of Celtic’s stature. Celtic has a magnificent history and is a club with great tradition and great supporters.

“Having visited the club and spoken to the manager, I feel this is the right place for me and I am very much looking forward to meeting up with my new team-mates and hopefully playing my part in bringing success to the club and our fans.”

Celtic boss Tony Mowbray said: “We are very pleased to welcome Jos to Celtic. He is a player who we believe can make an important contribution to the club and someone we look forward to working with.”

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Written by football writer · Filed Under Football Rumours

Dossena moves to Napoli, as Rodriguez moves closer to Anfield move

January 10, 2010

Italian full-back Andrea Dossena has completed his move from Liverpool to Napoli for £4million. The full-back has been linked with a move back to his homeland for awhile after failing to prove a success on Merseyside.

The 28 year-old joined the Reds from Udinese 2008 for £7million and big things were expected of the full-back. He spent 18 months at Anfield but couldn’t cement a regular first team spot in Rafa Benitez’s team.

The Italian international has signed a contract that will expire in 2014. Dossena told the clubs official website: “I’m happy to wear the jersey of Napoli,”

“I chose a prestigious club with an important project. I cannot wait to play in Sao Paolo stadium before an unbelievable crowd”.

Liverpool have used some of the Dossena clash to sign Argentina international Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid for £1.5million. Atletico accepted such a low bid because they would have lost the midfielder for nothing next summer when his contract at the Vicente Calderon expired.

Rodriguez was in demand interesting Boca Juniors in his homeland and also Italian giants Juventus. The 29 year-old is hoping for first team football at Anfield in a bid to aide his claim for a place in his nations squad for next years World Cup in South Africa.

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Written by football writer · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

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