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Hoops to sign Kenyan midfielder Wanyama

June 30, 2011

Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic have announced the signing of Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama, subject to the player receiving his work permit and passing a medical. The Hoops had reached an agreement with Belgian outfit Germinal Beerschot for Wanyama’s transfer earlier this year and the player, the brother of Inter’s McDonald Mariga, has also agreed personal terms with the Glasgow outfit.

The transfer fee for Wanyama was not announced, but sources have it to be somewhere in the £900,000 range. Bitter rivals Rangers were also interested in securing Wanyama’s services and so were English Premier League side Aston Villa, but the Hoops stole a march over both the clubs and are now in a prime position to sign Wanyama, who made his international debut for the Kenyan national team at the tender age of 15.

Wanyama’s signing has to be approved by a panel as Kenya are not in the top 70 ranked FIFA nations in the world.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Transfers In

Sunderland sign Dong Ji Won

June 30, 2011

Sunderland have bolstered their forward line with the acquisition of South Korean striker Dong Ji Won from K-League outfit Chunnam Dragons. Ji has arrived for an undisclosed fee and the news of his signing comes barely 24 hours after the Black Cats pulled off a major coup by picking up highly rated starlet Connor Wickham from Ipswich Town. Ji has signed a three year contract with the Wearsiders.

Young Ji, who is nearly 6’2” tall, caught Sunderland’s attention with his sterling performances for South Korea in the Asian Cup in Qatar earlier this year. He netted four times in the tournament and was instrumental in helping the Koreans to a third placed finish.

Ji’s signing means that Sunderland now have two young and upcoming strikers to support Gyan Asamoah upfront.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Sunderland Transfer News, Rumours

Former Baggies boss Di Matteo appointed assistant to Villas-Boas

June 29, 2011

Chelsea FC have officially appointed former West Browich Albion manager Roberto di Matteo as assistant to new boss Andre Villas-Boas. The former Italian international was jobless after leaving Albion in early February this year. Di Matteo, 41, is a former Chelsea player- he represented the Blues for a six year period between 1996 and 2002, and made over 100 appearances for them.

It is believed that Villas-Boas’ first choice as assistant manager was Vitor Pereira, his former No.2 at Porto. Pereira however chose to stay at Porto and take over the vacant manager’s role at the Estadio do Dragao instead of following Villas-Boas north to London.

Prior to his stint at West Brom, Di Matteo also managed Milton Keynes Dons for a season. He lead them to the playoffs, where they lost to Scunthorpe on penalties.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Chelsea Transfer News | Chelsea Transfer Rumours

James signs new contract with Robins

June 29, 2011

Veteran keeper David James has signed a new one year contract with Bristol City that will keep him with the Robins till the end of the 2011/2012 season. James, 40, played in all but two club games for the Robins last season, thus making him eligible for a twelve month extension as per the terms of his initial contract.

Bristol wrre inconsistent and finished a poor 15th in the Championship last season but James is hopeful that the side can learn from last season’s mistakes and make a push for promotion to the Premier League this season.

James joined Bristol from Portsmouth last summer. He holds the Premier League record for most clean sheets and was also the league’s all time appearance maker until Ryan Giggs surpassed him in May.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Championship

Hurst signs for Saddlers

June 28, 2011

Walsall FC have completed the signing of Kevan Hurst on a free transfer. Hurst signed for the Saddlers after going out of contract at Carlisle United. The addition of Hurst, 25, comes barely 24 hours after the Saddlers added Watford defender Mat Sadler to their ranks.

Hurst’s versatility is one of his biggest assets. He can play anywhere in midfield or upfront, with his favoured position being the left winger’s position.

Hurst started his career with Sheffield United and had loan spells at Boston United, Stockport County and Chesterfield before moving to Scunthorpe United. He left the Iron in 2009 for £100K to Carlisle. He spent the latter half of the 10/11 season on loan at Morecambe before being released by Carlisle.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Championship

Five clubs ready to match Neymar activate clause- Santos

June 28, 2011

Five European clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester City, have agreed to trigger the €45m release clause in the contract of Santos starlet Neymar, according to the Brazilian club. Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro made the revelation in an interview to ESPN Brazil and added that the clubs had been given permission to talk to the player.

Oliveira Ribeiro refused to name the clubs citing confidentiality reasons, but it is widely believed that Chelsea, Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and little known Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala are the five parties interested in securing the signing of Neymar, who is being hailed as the next big thing in Brazilian football.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Football Rumours

Hartlepool fail to land LuaLua

June 28, 2011

Hartlepool United have failed in their bid to sign former Newcastle United striker Lomana LuaLua, it has emerged. Club manager Mick Wadsworth, who knows the Democratic Republic of Congo international well from their times together at Colchester and Newcastle, tried to lure the striker to Hartlepool but had his offer rejected by LuaLua. The forward is currently a free agent after being released by Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia.

If LuaLua had agreed to Wadsworth’s, it would have reunited him with former Newcastle team mate Nolberto Solano, who surprised one and all by signing for Pools this summer.

LuaLua last played for an English club in the form of Pompey in 2007 and is hopeful of continuing his adventure on the continent in the coming years.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under League One

Foxes swoop for Danns and Schmeichel

June 27, 2011

Leicester City have completed the double signing of Neil Danns and Kasper Schmeichel. Midfielder Danns moves to the Walker Stadium from Crystal Palace while goalkeeper Kasper, the son of legendary Man Utd stopper Peter, joins the Foxes from Championship rivals Leeds United.

Both Schmeichel and Danns have signed three year contracts with Leicester. In Dann’s case, Leicester beat off competition from several interested clubs, including both Rangers and Celtic, to secure the midfielder’s signing.

Schmeichel has been signed for a reported £1.5m. Current Foxes boss Sven Goran Eriksson knows him well, having worked with the Dane previously at Manchester City and Notts County.

Danns and Schmeichel thus become Leicester’s second and third signings of the summer window after Lee Peltier.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Championship

Arsenal target Matuidi wants Prem switch

June 26, 2011

Arsenal target Blaise Matuidi has said that he is open to a Premier League switch. The AS Saint-Etienne midfielder made the admission in an interview to the Daily Star, saying that the Premier League was the best league in the world and he wanted to be a part of it.

A stumbling block in Matuidi’s move to the Emirates Stadium is the fee St.Etienne want for his services. Arsenal are not prepared to give more than £10m, while St.Etienne are said to be holding out for a fee in the £13m range.

Newcastle United are also in the market for Matuidi and could add him to their recent list of French imports if Arsenal and St.Etienne cannot arrive upon an agreement for the former.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Arsenal Transfer News | Arsenal Transfer Rumours

Bale to leave White Hart Lane if Modric is sold

June 26, 2011

Tottenham Hotspur stand to lose more than just Luka Modric if they sell the Croatian playmaker this summer. According to news reports, star winger Gareth Bale will follow Modric out of White Hart Lane if Spurs do not keep their promise of not selling the latter.

Bale’s outstanding performances for Spurs last season, especially in the Champions League, lead to widespread speculation regarding his future but the 21 year old Welshman chose to douse the rumours by opting to stay at the Lane and added that he wanted the squad to be strengthened. However if Modric leaves the Lane for greener pastures, most likely to be Chelsea or Man Utd, Spurs’ chances of landing Champions League football will be severely affected, thus paving the way for Bale’s exit.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Tottenham Transfer News | Tottenham Transfer Rumours