Liverpool Snap Up Chelsea’s Victor Moses On A Season Long Loan

Moses joins Liverpool on a season long loan after being pushed down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, making the winger desperate for a move out of the club.

Liverpool have completed the signing of Chelsea winger Victor Moses on a season long loan as Brendan Rodgers makes it his 3rd signing of the day, following defenders Mamadou Sakho & Tiago Ilori. The winger was spotted yesterday during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory against fierce rivals Manchester United as he watched from the stands alongside his fellow new team-mates. Moses has been extremely out-favoured at the Bridge as the likes of Hazard, Schurrle, De Bruyne and Oscar have pushed the Nigerian way down the pecking order.

The 22 year old began his career with Crystal Palace in which he made his way up the club’s youth ranks, going on to be another future talent alongside Wilfreid Zaha. After showing much potential as a winger, Moses took his place in the starting 11 as he went on to make a total of 69 appearances for the Eagles, netting 11 times. His impressive run of form and rapid development saw him move to former Premier League side Wigan Atheltic in which he really exposed his potential. Moses went on to make a 80 appearances for the Latics in which he caught the eye of high flying Chelsea, completing a switch back to London in 2012. The 22 year old made an average impact at the club as he experienced regular first team football under Di Matteo, falling down the pecking order under inermim boss Rafael Benitez. The additions of high profile players to Chelsea summoned Moses to much time on the sidelines as he grew desperate for a move away from the club as Liverpool look to play the winger in their starting 11.

Overall this is a fantastic signing by Brendan Rodgers as Moses offers trickory, blistering pace and even an eye for goal. A player who Liverpool have lacked over recent years will surely make a positive impact at the club as a young exciting talent will be certainly one for the fans. A player who can also deliver into the box will be looking to assist high flying Daniel Sturridge as the pairing will certainly be looking to make a statement throughout this year’s campaign. A top transfer by the Reds boss as this move could even turn out to be a permanent one if Moses lives up to his expectations.

Chilean International Gary Medel Joins Cardiff City For A Club Record Fee Of 11.2 Million Pounds

Medel completes Cardiff switch as he becomes the Bluebirds’ most expensive signing.

Cardiff City have smashed their transfer fee record by completing the signing of Chilean international Gary Medel on a 4 year deal. The Chilean becomes the Bluebirds’ most expensive signing as his initial fee (11.2M) overtook big Dane striker Andreas Cornelius and 8 million pound defender Steven Caulker. Malkay Mackay was thrilled to be able to make this deal happen as a player with key attributes will be looking to make his mark in the Premier League. Mackay stated on saturday following the completion of the deal:

“We’re delighted to have secured the services of Gary – a tenacious and intelligent international midfielder. Having had two seasons of regular football in La Liga with 60 odd international caps to his name and three appearances at a World Cup, his experience will be an invaluable asset to our squad. ”

He’s played in a number of Boca v River Plate derbies in Argentina – one of the world’s biggest derby matches – and I’ve no doubt that his background and pedigree will complement our midfield group in the Barclays Premier League.”

The Chilean began his career with home side Universidad Catolica in which he made his debut for the club in 2006 at the age of 18. Working up the ranks from the club’s youth system, Medel made 70 league appearances and even scored 10 times until sealing a dream switch to Argentinian giants Boca Juniors. After an impressive 2 seasons in Argentina, the 26 year old was dubbed the “Chilean Gatusso” due to his playing style and fiery personality. This saw Sevilla come calling for the defensive midfielder’s services in 2011 in which he made 76 league appearances for the Spanish outfit, netting 7 times. Medel is also by far one of Chile’s most valuable international players as he has served his nation over 50 times during his playing career, most noticeably during the 2010 World cup.

Overall, Cardiff fans will be ecstatic over this signing as Medel will look to take his role in defensive midfield. The 26 year old can also play as a versatile centerback which offers flexibility to Mackay’s squad. A player who posesses strength, willpower, aggression and a good pass rate will be highly depended on to impress this season as his defensive attributes will be key in helping Cardiff to stay in the top flight. A fantastic signing that should not struggle with the pace of the Premier League as Sevilla suffer a double blow as the exit of top striker Alvaro Negredo to Manchester City was completed last month.

Done Deal: Soldado Finalizes Move To Tottenham Hotspur For A Fee Of 26 Million Pounds

Soldado pens a long term contract at White Hart Lane as he joins Paulinho and Nacer Chadli ahead of the new Premier League season.

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Spanish international Roberto Soldado from Valencia on a long term contract. Soldado completed his medical during the lunch hours of monday as the deal reached a fee of 26 million pounds, breaking Spurs’ transfer record fee. The Spaniard is expected to take his role in attack against Espanyol on the 10th of August, Tottenham’s final pre-season friendly before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

As the future of Emmanuel Adebayor is set for Turkey, AVB has been adamant in bringing a world class replacement as the landing of Soldado looks to fit Spurs’ bill perfectly. The striker began his career with Real Madrid’s B team in which he completed an impressive 64 league goal tally during 120 appearances for the club. In 2005 Soldado was called up to the main squad in which he failed to break into the starting 11, only managing to make 16 appearances at the Bernabeu. This resulted in the talented frontman to go on search for regular first team football, signing for Getafe in 2008 for a fee of 4 million euros. After another impressive spell in Spain, Soldado netted 29 times in the La Liga during 2 seasons at the club which saw him move to his hometown Valencia in 2010 for a fee of 10 million euros. As David Villa was heading to the Camp Nou, Valencia decided that Soldado was a suitable replacement for his fellow Spaniard as he certainly made his presence known at the club.

During a 3 year spell with Valencia, Soldado scored 81 goals in 141 appearances as Spurs fans will be ecstatic over this signing as he holds a proven track record. The striker posesses lethal finishing abilities as Tottenham will be looking to exploit this as a lack of taken chances played a part in falling short of a Champions League place last season. Soldado will most likely take the role upfront alongside Jermaine Defoe as the likes of Adebayor are due to leave the club. A fantastic signing by AVB as Spurs have broken their transfer record twice this summer. The purchase of several big players is definitely a wise move by the Spurs boss as he looks to keep stability throughout the squad as the addition of too many players will unsettle the team’s chemistry. Soldado joins Belgian forward Chadli and defensive midfielder Paulinho to White Hart Lane as Spurs will be looking for a centerback to round off their summer transfer business due to the departures of Khumalot (loan) and promising defender Steven Caulker to Cardiff.

Forest Snap Up Algerian Winger Djamel Abdoun From Olympiakos For 1.5 Million Pounds

Abdoun pens a 3 year deal with Forest as he leaves Greek champions Olympiakos for 1.5 million pounds.

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Algerian winger Djamel Abdoun from Greek champions Olympiakos for a fee of 1.5 million pounds. The 27 year old stated earlier this week following his move that he turned down opportunities from the Premier League and abroad clubs in order to join financially stable Forest. Chairman Fawaz Al Hawasi played a big part in this transfer as he persuaded the Algerian to be part of the club’s new project: gaining promotion to the top flight.

Adoun began his career with French side Ajaccio in which he spent 5 years at the club, making 12 league appearances and experiencing 2 loan spells at Manchester City and Sedan. After impressing during his time with Sedan, fellow French side Nantes snapped up the Algerian on a 3 year contract, making 50 league appearances and even scoring 3 times. After seeing out his contract in France, Abdoun completed a switch to Greece in which he signed for Kavala, making 26 appearances and finishing as the league’s top assister. However after only spending 1 season with Kavala, Greek champions Olympiakos snapped up Abdoun’s services on a free transfer due to the club plummeting to the 4th division as the financial crisis hit hard in Greece. This saw him make 50 league appearances for the red stripes as he bares both Champions League and Europa League experience.

Overall, Abdoun is certaintly an exciting player that Forest fans will be looking forward to see in action as he bares dribbling and high work rate attributes. He joins fellow Algerian Adlene Guedioura at the City Ground as he also played his part on influencing the winger to join the squad. A great signing for Forest as a player with much European experience will be extremely welcomed by the team as they are rapidly improving their chances of Premier League football.

Arsenal’s Joel Campbell Joins Greek Champions Olympiakos On A Season Long Loan

Campell joins Olympiakos after failing to make any appearances for the Gunners.

Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell has joined Greek giants Olympiakos Pireaus from parent club Arsenal on a season long loan. The 21 year old has not made a single appearance for the Gunners since signing from home club Saprissa in 2011, condemning the agile forward to spend 2 seasons abroad on loan.

Campbell began his professional career with Saprissa in which he only managed to make 3 league appearances for the Costa Rican outfit, seeing him being sent on loan in 2011 to Puntarenas. After only starting 5 times for the club Campbell saw his career take a huge step forward as he signed for the Gunners in 2011, rejecting a move to Spanish outfit Sevilla. However, the 21 year old experienced major problems while applying for a work visa which was later rejected, leaving the Costa Rican not being able to play in the United Kingdom. This saw Arsenal send the youngester out on loan to French side Lorient in which he made 25 appearances, netting 3 times. After a succesful loan season in France, Campbell still had no access to a work visa which saw him being sent on loan for a second succesive season with Spanish side Real Betis. After making 32 league appearances, Campbell scored 2 goals during his stay at Betis which saw him return to the Emirates in hope of a chance of English football.

As Arsene Wenger has made it quite clear that the Costa Rican is not in his future plans, this loan move could potentially be his last as an Arsenal member as he faces the axe from the side, in regards to failing a work permit anda  lack of general development. Olympiakos will be looking to test the young forward’s ability in the Greek Super League as Campbell will be looking forward to working alongside new signing Javier Saviola as the pair look ready to bring the championship back to the Karaiskaki Stadium. As recent reviews state, Joel is a good player but not good enough for the Premier League. A player that holds 25 caps for his country could well impress in Greece as a lower standard of football could help him find key form this season, potentially leading on to a permanent move.

Ipswich Town Snap Up Ex-Wolves Defender Christophe Berra On A 2 Year Deal

Berra seals a 2 year deal at Portman road, reuniting himself with old boss Mick McCarthy.

Ipswich Town have completed the signing of Christophe Berra on a 2 year deal following his release from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 28 year old completed his medical yesterday evening which will see him at Portman Road until 2015. Berra was one of several Wolves players that were heavily linked to many Champaionship clubs as Mick McCarthy played a vital role in landing his former player.

Wolves experienced their worst 2 seasons in the club’s history as they plummeted from the Premier League all the way down to Sky Bet’s League 1 as they went through a devestating spell of back to back relegations. This left new Wolves boss Kenny Jackett to allow big name players such as Christophe Berra, Rodger Johnson, Kevin Doyle and Jamie O’hara to leave the club.

Mick McCarthy stated yesterday:

“I’m delighted, it’s a fantastic signing, he helped us get promoted at Wolves and keep us in the Premier League for two seasons.I’m surprised he hasn’t got a club sooner and delighted we’ve got him. It’s terrific for us.”

As the Tractor Boys looked set to seal a deal for Premier League veteran Titus Bramble earlier this week, the club stated that a deal will not be offered to the center back due to unknown reasons which was most probably due to the arrival of Berra to Portman Road, being preferred to Bramble at the back. The Scottish international began his career with Hearts in which he enjoyed a successful 6 year stay at the club, making 123 league appearances. In 2009 Berra moved to England in which he signed for Wolves for a fee in the region of 2.5 million pounds, making 141 appearances for the club and establishing himself as a regular first team player. The 28 year old has also made 27 appearances for his country, netting in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia in an internatonal friendly last spring.

Overall Berra holds much experience at the back as he is not short of first team football in the championship. A player who possesses Premier League experience will be welcomed at Portman Road as he is set to take his spot in the starting 11 as Mick McCarthy will be looking for a much more positive goal for the new championship campaign.

Tranmere Sign Veteran Striker Akpo Sodje On A 1 Year Deal

Sodje makes yet another move in his career as he pens a 1 year deal with Tranmere.

Tranmere Rovers have snapped up free agent Akpo Sodje on a 1 year deal after the player was released by former club Scunthorpe following their relegation to League 2. The 33 year old holds vast experience on the pitch as he boasts a record for playing of a total of 16 different clubs including the likes of Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End.

Rovers boss Ronnie Moore stated earlier today on the club’s official website:

“He’s a big, powerful centre forward who leads the line well and can score goals. With Akpo joining Ryan Lowe, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Cole Stockton at the club we have four good striking options available now and they all offer us something slightly different.”

Sodje’s contract is under the terms of a possible option of a 1 year extension as the forward will offer strength and much needed experience for the new football league campaign. the London born striker began he career with Queens Park Rangers in 2001 which saw him move to a host of clubs on 1-2 year deals or season loans for the majority of his career. With a total of 350 club appearances and 92 goals, Sodje’s main attribute is his physical presence and the sheer amount of experience the player has. Definitely a player that offers stability, Rovers fans will be happy on obtaining his services on a free deal.

Notts County Swoop For Free Agent Danny Haynes

Haynes signs 2 year contract at Meadow Lane with option of a 3rd year deal.

Notts County have snapped up free agent Danny Haynes on a 2 year deal with the option of a further 1 year extension. The 25 year old striker was released by Charlton at the end of the 2012/2013 campaign as he joined a host of Championship players on  the free agent list. With the deal being close to completion earlier in the week, the deal has now been finalized as Haynes will be set to enter County’s starting 11.

Notts County Keeper and personal friend of Haynes Chris Kimowya stated earlier today to the club’s official webiste:

“I know Danny well, having seen him play at the very start of his career and I think he’s the perfect fit for Notts County, he’s a player that has the ability to excite the fans and we’re looking forward to seeing him in action. I think everyone was aware that one of our top priorities this summer was adding extra firepower to the squad and I knew very early on that Danny was the man that I wanted to bring in.”

As Haynes is not known for his prolific goalscoring record, the 25 year old occasionally operates as a right midfielder which will bring versatility into the squad which could give chances for less favoured strikers or youth talent within the squad. Haynes began his career with the Tractor Boys in 2005 in which he spent 4 years at the club, making 115 league appearances. This later sealed him a deal to Ashton Gate as the striker opted for a move to Bristol City where he failed to make an impact. Due to a poor 2 seasons with the Bristolian club, Haynes moved to Barnsley in 2011 in which he scored 6 league goals in 32 appearances, signing for Charlton a year later. Notts County will be thrilled with this signing as Haynes offers experience and versatility as he is most likely to take on the role as a right forward due to his low key scoring record. An overall good player that should quickly settle at Meadow Lane as County fans will be satisified with this deal.

Malaga Complete The Signing Of Former Manchester City Striker Roque Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz completes switch to Spanish outfit Malaga after a season long loan at the club.

Former Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz joins Champions League quarter-finalists Malaga on a 3 year deal. The Spanish outfit decided to take the striker on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell at the club in which he joins on a free transfer. The Paraguayan signed for Manchester City back in 2009 for a hefty fee of 18 million pounds, another one of Mark Hughes’ controversial signings in which he was highly criticized for after a poor spell at the club.

The 31 year old began his career with Paraguayan outfit Olimpia which saw him net 13 goals in 24 appearances, leading him to later sign for German champions Bayern Munich in 1999. Santa Cruz spent 8 years with the Champions League winners in which he made 155 league appearances scoring 31 times. This saw English side Blackburn Rovers call for the Paraguayan’s services as he finalized a deal which bought him to England for 3.4 million pounds in 2007, spending 2 years at the club and scoring an impressive 19 goals in his first season at Ewood Park. The Paraguayan left Rovers in 2009 for former league champions Manchester City in which he experienced a miserable spell at the club, netting only 3 times. This saw the big striker move back to Blackburn on a season long loan, followed by another loan spell at Real Betis in 2011 and Malaga in the previous campaign.

Overall, fans in England will know the qualities that Santa Cruz posesses as many were also skeptical of his inconsistency and frequently occuring injuries. This move to Spain could potentially knock the striker back into form as a slower paced game will suit the Paraguayan’s style of play. Manchester City fans will not be too concerned by his departure as the striker failed to make any sort of impact at the Ettihad, nevertheless a top quality striker who bares vast experience and world class attacking attributes.

Eintracht Braunschweig Sign Former Norwich Striker Simeon Jackson In Surpise Move

Simeon Jackson relishes new German challege with newly promoted Braunschweig.

Former Norwich striker Simeon Jackson has completed a suprise move to newly promoted German side Eintracht Braunschweig on a 2 year deal. The Canadian international was released by Norwich at the end of the season as a host of championship clubs were keen on obtaining the striker’s signature. Jackson spoke exclusively to the club and stated:

“I am happy to be joining Eintracht Braunschweig and I am clearly looking forward to testing myself in Bundesliga 1.”

The 26 year old made 73 league appearances for the Canaries in which he netted 17 times. Jackson fell down the pecking order in the previous campaign as the likes of Grant Holt, Lucciano Bechhio and Leeds Loanee Steve Morison were much more prefered by Chris Hughton. The former Canadian Player of the year (2009) will now look to open a new champter of his footballing career which will test his versatility by playing in the Bundesliga. A fast paced attacking league should surely suit Jackson’s game as he will provide pace, stamina and movement within Braunschweig’s final third.