Returning Genoa striker Diego Milito has admitted that he turned down Tottenham Hotspur to secure a move back to his old club...

Genoa recently completed the recapture of Diego Milito from Real Zaragoza in Spain. The prolific Argentinian had a very successful two year spell with the Rossoblu before his transfer to Spain, scoring 33 goals in 59 matches.

Milito, before boarding a plane that will take him to Italy where he is due to complete a medical for Genoa, has revealed that he turned down a move to London with Tottenham Hotspur in order to move to the Rossoblu. “Zaragoza was putting pressure on me to sign for Tottenham, but then Genoa came along and I jumped at the chance,” said Milito, adding, “I wanted the Rossoblu shirt at all costs.”

The Argentinian player is happy to be back in the Rossoblu colours saying, “This is my city; I'm coming home.” The player went on to provide more evidence of his happiness regarding his return to his former club in Italy. “I feel an immense joy and my family is also happy to be back to Genoa, where I have always done well and hoped to return to one day,” said the striker.

Milito gave the Genoa faithful cause for celebration saying, “To the people of Genoa, I say this, I will give my all for this shirt, because here I feel at home.” That must be music to the ears of Rossoblu fans.

Peter Pedroncelli

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Manchester United have completed the signing of Dimitar Berbatov for £30.75 million, with Fraizer Campbell going the other way on a season-long loan...

The Bulgarian has been a long-term target of the double-winners, who had an approach rebuffed last season. They reignited their interest this summer, as they looked to complete their striking options up front.

Spurs were greatly opposed to their approach for their star player and reported Manchester United to the Football Association accusing them of an illegal approach for the 27-year-old. Nevertheless, they remained at the front of the queue to land their man despite fleeting interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Local rivals Manchester City emerged as final day fighters for his signature, having had a bid in excess of £30 million accepted by Tottenham. United, despite having officially been denied permission by Spurs to talk to Berbatov, arranged a medical in Manchester this evening and the player then arrived at Old Trafford as the deadline drew nearer.

Negotiations were ongoing in the stadium for a couple of intense hours before the player emerged and left the ground, shortly after which Spurs announced the deal as official on their website.

United had put an empty Berbatov profile up on their website hours before the deal had been concluded, which very much proved a sign of things to come, unlike Chelsea's faux-pas when they began selling Robinho shirts online.

The Red Devils have had to sacrifice youngster Fraizer Campbell - but only for a season - as he is loaned to the Lilywhites for the forthcoming season as part of the deal. The agreement will spare United potential blushes, as Spurs have agreed not to follow up their initial complaint over an illegal approach from the champions for the Bulgarian.

Campbell, who impressed last season on loan at Hull City, who he helped gain promotion, has been touted as a hot prospect by Sir Alex Ferguson, who is eager to hold onto the young goal-getter in the long-term future.

"The Club can announce that it has reached agreement with Manchester United for the permanent transfer of Dimitar Berbatov for a fee of £30.75m," announced Tottenham on their website. "As part of the settlement the Club has agreed not to pursue its official complaint to the Premier League.

"The deal sees Fraizer Campbell coming the other way on a season long loan. Campbell, 20, spent last season on loan at Hull City where his goals played a pivotal role in the Tiger's promotion to the Premier League."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson lavished praise on his new signing.

"This is a key signing," he said. "Dimitar Berbatov is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football."

Berbatov himself, already being dubbed by fans as the new Eric Cantona, was overjoyed with the move.

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," he said.

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

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Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has confirmed that the club have sold Robinho to Manchester City and that they may try to make a big signing in January...

Chelsea have been chasing the Brazilian for a number of weeks now, with new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari having made it clear that the Real Madrid star, along with Deco, were his two transfer targets upon being appointed as Blues boss.

The 24-year-old finished the season happy with the Spanish champions, but became unsettled when murmurs in the press emerged that he could be used as a makeweight in Madrid's pursuit of Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, as that move collapsed, Robinho remained open to leaving Madrid, despite their best efforts to keep the player. Coach Bernd Schuster is thought to have always wanted the former Santos star to stay at the club, but higher-ups within the club were willing to let him leave if Cristiano Ronaldo were to arrive.

Chelsea have pursued Robinho very much in the same manner that Madrid chased Ronaldo earlier in the summer, and despite Madrid's disappointment with the Blues' behaviour, the player himself has remained adamant that he wants to leave the club, even arranging a press conference on Sunday to push for a move to Chelsea.

Madrid have remained adamant that no players would be leaving or arriving in the remaining days of the transfer window, but now appear to have changed their tune as City, who were taken over by Abu Dhabi Group for Development and Investment today, now have even more money than they did under Thaksin Shinawatra, who sold the club today after just over a year in charge. The Citizens will now sign Robinho for a reported British record transfer fee of €42 million - despite missing out on Dimitar Berbatov to rivals Manchester United - and offer the forward a staggering €6 million per year, after tax.

"We have sold Robinho for reasons of human nature," Calderon told Canal Veo TV. "The fact is that we have accepted an offer for Manchester City, and that he is not going for sporting reasons.

"I can't rule out a new signing in December, now that [without Robinho] we have a free slot. But right now there's nobody in the market that we can move for."

The club have also officially announced the deal on their official website: "Real Madrid Football Club has finally decided this evening to transfer their player, Robson da Souza 'Robinho', to Manchester City."

Tears

It is being reported that Robinho was in tears at the thought of not being allowed to leave the club and threatened to go to Brazil and not return until he was sold.

"Manchester City have made a dramatic late deadline-day swoop for Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Robinho," read a statement on City's website.

"The deal to bring the 24-year-old was completed shortly before the midnight cut-off point, and he has signed a four-year contract."

One of the best in the world

City boss Mark Hughes could not hide his delight after a successful summer during his first few months at the club. “I am absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent like Robinho," he told the club's website.

"I have said that in order to compete with the best teams in the Premier League we have to be in the market for players of this calibre, and Robinho is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.

“I am really looking forward to introducing him to the rest of the squad, and to the City fans at the earliest opportunity. This is a real statement of intent as to the ambitions of Manchester City Football Club.”

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

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Liverpool have officially completed the signing of winger Albert Riera from Espanyol on a four-year contract.

The 26-year-old, who has previously played in England for Manchester City on loan, has been purchased for an undisclosed fee and will wear the number 11 shirt at Anfield this season.

According to Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, the club were able to seal the deal despite a number of other Premier League sides expressing an interest in the player.

Benitez added that the left-sided Riera is the ideal player for his system and feels that settling back into England should not be a major issue for a man who can already speak the language.

"Riera has the qualities we were looking for," a pleased Benitez told the club’s official website.

"He is a left footer who normally plays on the left wing, he's good in the air, strong, powerful and a good crosser of the ball.

"He's the kind of player we have been talking about. He can beat players and get good deliveries into the area for our strikers. We've known about him for a long time, since he was at Mallorca and then through his career with Bordeaux, Manchester City and Espanyol.

"He can talk English and of course he knows the Premier League, which is a big bonus. Usually foreign players need time when they go to a new country, but Riera already knows the league and the style of football.

"He also had offers from other English clubs but he said no to them because he wanted to come and play for us. That means a lot to me because it shows the commitment he has to play for Liverpool."

Riera had reportedly been on the verge of sealing his move to Merseyside for the last week, although minor details prevented an earlier announcement. His arrival comes on the same day as full-back Steve Finnan moved in the opposite direction to Espanyol, in what was officially unconnected to the winger’s arrival at Anfield.

Chris Myson, Goal.com

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Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced an eleventh hour transfer coup of Manchester City right back Vedran Corluka...

After weeks of speculation Croatian defender Vedran Corluka has joined Juande Ramos' ranks at White Hart Lane for an undisclosed fee.

Corluka only spent one year at Eastlands, despite initially signing a longer deal. The transfer had often been speculated about in the media over the summer, with the uncertain future of the ownership of the club cited as a possible reason for the sale. The 22-year old right back will now link up with fellow international Luka Modric.

A statement from Tottenham Hotspurs' official website read: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Vedran Corluka to the Club."

Regarding the move that will see him swapping Manchester for London, Corluka said: "I am delighted to be here because I am coming to a big club with great players, great ambition and also my best friend [Luka Modric] is here. It is a very happy day for me."

Manchester City were quick to thank Corluka for his service, a statement from www.mcfc.co.uk read: "Everyone at the Club would like to thank Vedran for his efforts and we wish him all the very best for the future."

Corluka is a recognised international and has 24 caps to his name. One of the first meetings he will have with his new team-mates will be ironically, when he plays for Croatia against England in Zagreb in the second round of World Cup qualification.

Alan Dawson

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The official word is out! Inter Milan have finally captured Portuguese international, Ricardo Quaresma for €18 million from Porto.

According to the Porto official website, the transfer saga involving Ricardo Quaresma has come to an end after it was confirmed that he has joined Jose Mourinho at Inter.

Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to bring Quaresma to the San Siro and after the draw against Sampdoria, it seemed very unlikely the winger would arrive as Inter president, Massimo Moratti stated the club do not require his services.

The Special One was clearly disappointed by this, but apparently he has convinced Moratti to open his bank account once more to sign Quaresma.

The financial details of the deal were also released and it stipulates one of Inter's players going in the opposite direction. The Nerrazzuri will pay Porto €18.6 million, plus another €6 million in performance-based bonuses, while also including young Portuguese midfielder, Vitor Hugo Pélé, with the 20 year old going to Porto on a permanent transfer.

Pélé, considered a bright prospect and budding talent, is valued at about €6 million meaning that the total valuation for Quaresma stands at €30.6 million.

It now seems that Mourinho has all the pieces to his Inter puzzle after bringing in Amatino Mancini, Sulley Muntari, and now Ricardo Quaresma in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Porto have lost one of their stars and it is not yet known if they have lined up a replacement for him before the transfer market closes.

Adam Scime

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Every Monday until the first week of September, Goal.com will list of the top twenty transfers of the summer. In this edition, we considered all moves officially concluded by the start of Monday, 25 August 2008...

The factors taken into account are

(a) form over the last 12 months,
(b) potential, and
(c) transfer fee involved.

The extension from ten to twenty was compiled by taking into account previous editions.

This week Mirko Vucinic, Martin Cáceres and Tomáš Ujfaluši were knocked out of the top 20 in favour of three new editions. Find out who below...

20. Giovani Dos Santos (Barcelona to Tottenham)
Last week: 17

A rather opportunistic and clever signing by Juande Ramos, but he is a gamble nonetheless. There is a good reason Barcelona got rid of him on the cheap. His attitude had been a subject of concern for eighteen months, which saw young Bojan Krkić leap ahead of him in the pecking order. His impact on the dressing room had not made positive news either. Spurs fans must hope that was the exception and not the rule.

19. Hatem Ben Arfa (Lyon to Marseille)
Last Week: 16

Marseille have lost Samir Nasri to Arsenal, but have managed to land the perfect replacement in the man Arsene Wenger had his sights on to start with. What is more, they can keep him for a year or two, and make a cool 8-10 million profit.

18. Alberto Gilardino (Milan to Fiorentina)
Last Week: 15

On the face of it, it looks like the Viola have signed an unhappy, out-of-form striker. However, that was just what Adrian Mutu's move from Juventus looked like not so long ago. The fans will help him forget Milan in a hurry, and rediscover the striker that wowed Calcio when at Parma. The partnership with Mutu can be backed to produce some special moments in the Champions League.

17. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea to AC Milan)
New Entry

After two seasons of mediocrity at Chelsea, the Ukrainian is back at his spiritual home. Nonetheless this is a considerable gamble for the rossoneri: with a full complement of fit strikers, a Shevchenko who cannot hit form may warm the bench. On the other hand his return - even as a 30-year-old - could signal a goalscoring comeback unseen in Serie A since... well, since Andriy Shevchenko.

16. Julio Baptista (Real Madrid to AS Roma)
New Entry

The Beast, The Tank - you'd be as well calling him The Happy Wanderer, for the Brazilian has now experienced three countries in as many seasons. The 26-year-old has only seldom repeated the form that saw him shine at Sevilla four seasons ago, but he began the last campaign well enough with Madrid. Part of the problem is that he's been kept out of position for so long in order to accommodate more prestigious players: if Roma can build a system around him, instead of slotting him in wherever there happens to be a space, they could have a real superstar on their hands.

15. Seydou Keita (Sevilla to Barcelona)
Last Week: 14

At the time of his arrival he was the best signing Barcelona had made this season, particularly in light of the way their soft underbelly was exposed on the road last year. With him partnering Yaya Touré in the middle, it will ensure that the likes of Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi do not get bullied, and also get the full license to thrill. 15 million euros worth their value.

14. Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander to Real Madrid)
Last Week: 13

What a capture! Barcelona seemed to have him in the bag, but hesitated a little too much as they waited for Frank Rijkaard to leave and a new coach to take charge. Madrid managed to snatch Sergio Ramos a few years ago, and what a signing that has turned out to be. This one may be no different.

13. Deco (Barcelona to Chelsea)
Last Week: 12

On the wrong side of 30, a first look suggests that he is past it, but nothing could be further from the truth. There is a fire that burns in him as we saw during Euro 2008, and he has a lot more to give to football. He is not what Frank Lampard is, as he will never score as many goals. But then, he is also everything Lampard is not. Superb creativity, a great eye for the game, and an ability to run the show that has seen him win the Champions League with two different clubs. Finally, Chelsea have a player who can orchestrate the pleasing football their owner wants. With Ballack and Essien set to play around him, it will be an ominous midfield.

12. Amantino Mancini (Roma to Inter)
Last Week: 11

Jose Mourinho does not quite promote exciting football, but he does like a fast, aggressive winger forward at least on one flank. That is just what he has found in Mancini, who will be handed the license to thrill just as Arjen Robben was during the glory years at Chelsea. Tends to blow hot and cold, though, as Roma found out last season. Lack of consistency will not go down well with the 'Special One', so he does need to focus a lot more.

11. David Bentley (Blackburn to Tottenham)
Last Week: 10

A great way for Spurs to show their ambition - by winning the race for the talented Blackburn winger, and in the process signing a former Arsenal youngster. Given what Juande Ramos did with Jesus Navas - a very similar player - this one has success written all over it. He has the potential form a formidable attacking midfield along with Giovani Dos Santos and Luka Modric.

10. Robbie Keane (Tottenham to Liverpool)
Last Week: 9

Make no mistake, I rate him very highly. That said, the Reds paid a few millions too many. He will still score the 15-20 goals needed to complement Fernando Torres' 25-30, so Rafa might just have splashed the extra cash with good reason. Their draw happy start to the season destroyed their title challenge last time around, so goals is what they need, and that is what they will get.

9. Amauri (Palermo to Juventus)
Last Week: 8

The Brazilian-Italian striker made it to number three after earning himself a long overdue move to a top four club, but now slips down to nine. He has already shown his potential with Palermo, and the prospect of him getting some top quality service from the Juve midfield is simply mouth-watering. Champions League, here he comes.

8. Vincent Kompany (Hamburg SV to Manchester City)
New Entry

The former Hamburg man left Germany under something of a cloud in order to affect a very quick transfer to City, but for all the "shotgun wedding" nature of the move it seems to have been the Mancunians' best of the summer. Put it this way: just one game into his tenure he put in a confident, mature showing in what is thought to be the world's fastest and most furious league, then said afterwards with characteristic nonchalance that he learned his new teammates' names on the pitch. Imagine what he'll be like once he's settled in and has a bit more experience.

7. Daniel Alves (Sevilla to Barcelona)
Last Week: 7

Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United – these are just some of the clubs that have queued up for him over the last 18 months or so. However, it is Barcelona who land him after some difficult negotiations with Sevilla. Perhaps a touch overpriced at 30 million euros (he would have been number one on this list at 20m), but then again, he is the best attacking full-back this world has seen since Roberto Carlos.

6. Samir Nasri (Marseille to Arsenal)
Last Week: 6

The highly rated French international is the latest to join the clan of young Gunners. Many view him as a replacement for Aliaksandr Hleb, while others go a step further and call him the next Zidane. He has had some problems with injuries, but let's hope those were exceptions as opposed to the rule. The prodigous playmaker is at number five.

5. Ronaldinho (Barcelona to Milan)
Last Week: 5

A gamble? Yes. But given the chance, would you sign one of the all time greats of football for a third of his market price last summer? You bet you would. At 28, he is far from over. Some diet planning and some tough training, and he will give at least three or four good years to the Rossoneri. A gamble nonetheless, or he would definitely have been number one. Number four for the Gaucho.

4. Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb to Tottenham)
Last Week: 4

The hottest young Croatian was snapped up by Spurs despite the interest of clubs such as Barcelona and Chelsea, and what a signing it has already turned out to be. Looks set to become the jewel in Juande Ramos' midfield next season. He remains at the sharp end of our list.

3. Aliaksandr Hleb (Arsenal to Barcelona)
Last Week: 3

A very shrewd buy, and what could very well turn out to be a stroke of genius from Barcelona. With Lionel Messi expected to run the show, what they needed was not a Ronaldinho, but a tireless, no-nosense attacking midfielder to offer support from the other flank - without hogging possession or the limelight. And they got him on the cheap too. A true critics' player in that while fans rave about others, he runs away with the technical plaudits.

2. Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal to Milan)
Last Week: 2

The underrated Frenchman was one of Arsenal's best players last season, and Milan's signing was nothing less than a coup. That it was a free transfer makes it even better. Has been the smartest transfer this summer for a while, now, but drops down to number two, finally.

1. Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg to Real Madrid)
Last Week: 1

A lifelong Barcelona fan and one of the best playmakers in the world today, how Madrid managed to sign him for nine million euros I don't know. What is even more baffling is how Hamburg let him go at that price (even if clauses could raise it to 13m). I would probably have put him up here even if he had cost 15 million. A downright steal, and just the kind of person who will add to Bernd Schuster's team without destroying it (get the hint?).

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Real Madrid have agreed to sell Robinho to Chelsea for €35m and will spend the transfer fee on signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Diego Capel before the transfer window closes.

Los Merengues have decided to accept the Blues' offer after meetings on Monday saw the Spanish giants decide to use the money immediately to sign two players that coach Bernd Schuster wants, according to AS.

Robinho's transfer will be made official later this week, while Madrid will lodge bids for both Huntelaar and Capel as quickly as possible in order to open talks.

Negotiations with Sevilla will be swift as Madrid's offer of €15m matches Capel's buy-out clause and all that will have to be decided is whether or not the player wants to move.

The 20-year-old has stated in the past that the only club that he would leave the Andalucian outfit for is Madrid and now that will be tested with an official offer.

Huntelaar has been linked with several clubs, but Schuster's insistence that he have another striker before the start of the new campaign has pushed the board to make their move now.

Valencia are refusing to accept any offer for David Villa, so Madrid will press for the Ajax striker to join them in the next few days in a move which will delight the German trainer.

An initial offer of around €25m should see the Dutch club willing to open talks and the Bernabéu outfit will hope that the Netherlands contingent already in their ranks will help smooth the deal through.

Schuster has been keen to sort out the Robinho saga and add to his squad after becoming infuriated that the club's summer became focussed solely on the unsuccessful chase for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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The Robinho transfer soap opera could finally come to a close as his move to Chelsea could be completed within the next few hours.

Spanish daily Marca have speculated that the Brazilian winger could be on his way out of the Spanish capital headed for the English capital in a matter of hours.

According to the reports from the Madrid-based newspaper, Robinho last week rejected club president Ramón Calderón’s latest contract offer, which is believed to be roughly the same amount as what Chelsea were prepared to offer him. This has convinced Calderón to concede that no amount of money will be able to tempt the 24 year old to remain at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Despite coach Bernd Schuster’s optimism that the playmaker will stay on with the blancos squad, his exit has been made all the more imminent after events at the weekend.

Firstly, Robinho was heckled and jeered by a group of fans before the squad left for the game against Valencia. And just before the start of the match, he was whistled at when his name was read out on the stadium’s PA system. The most obvious sign, ofcourse, was his muted celebrations with the rest of the team in the background, away from the spotlight when Madrid eventually beat Los Ché for the Supercopa.

The question of how he will leave and for how much is a different matter altogether.

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Former Milan star Zvonimir Boban has criticised the club for bringing back Andriy Shevchenko, and says that he “does not like soups re-heated.”

Shevchenko rejoined Milan last weekend following a miserable two years at Chelsea, and the wisdom of his signing has split critics.

The Ukrainian striker was among the most exciting players in the world when he arrived in London for an English-record fee of £30million. However, he then slipped into obscurity, managing just nine goals and 47 Premier League appearances.

Many have questioned whether the 31-year-old can recapture the form that saw him named European Footballer of the Year in 2004, with some suggesting he will never recover from his Chelsea ordeal.

"I think Sheva will feel good at Milan,” Boban is quoted as saying by SKY.

“He has always done well at San Siro.

“However, I do not agree with Milan’s purchase. I don’t like soups re-heated."

Boban is well respected at San Siro, following a superb nine years spent there from 1992 to 2001, when he won four Scudetti, a Champions League, a European Supercup, and three Supercoppa Italiana’s. The Croatian played with Shevchenko during the latter stages of his career.

Roberto Rossi

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Shaun Wright-Phillips has completed a move from Chelsea back to Manchester City for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract...

The England winger had moved to quell speculation that he would be joining his former club earlier in the week, but with Robinho's arrival at Stamford Bridge imminent, the 26-year-old has decided to move on.

The Eastlands darling underwent a medical this morning at the club and has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal. The transfer fee involved will remain undisclosed.

Wright-Phillips left Manchester City for Chelsea three years ago for a fee of £23million, but was quite clearly ecstatic to have returned to his old stomping ground. He told the club's official website: "Obviously I'm delighted to come back to City and I just can't wait to get started again."

Citizens' manager Mark Hughes was equally made-up at having secured the services of the diminutive wide-man, and hailed the capture as a 'major coup' for the club.

He said: "I've always admired him and he's certainly been a target of mine since I came to the football club.

"To actually secure the deal and bring Shaun back home is a fantastic coup for us and I'm sure the supporters will be just as excited as we are to have him back at Manchester City."

Wright-Phillips will be formally unveiled tomorrow at a press conference at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Peter Staunton

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Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Milan full back Massimo Oddo on a one-year loan deal, with the option of making the move permanent next summer.

Right back Oddo has been heavily linked with an exit from Milan in the past week or so as he is currently well down the Rossonero pecking order, behind both Daniele Bonera and new signing Gianluca Zambrotta.

Yesterday morning, reports started to emerge that Oddo had signed for French club Lyon after he was supposedly spotted in the city. A few hours later it was then reported that Bayern Munich were trying to hijack Lyon’s move for the 32-year-old, and the German champions have now officially confirmed that they have signed the player.

Oddo arrives on a one-year loan deal, and Bayern will have the option next summer to make the move permanent for a set fee. In essence he replaces left back Marcel Jansen, who yesterday left the club to join Hamburg.

"Massimo Oddo is a player who covers the whole right-hand side,” said the Bavarian’s manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

“For us he's a huge quality boost because of his experience, and his tactical and technical skills. He's a great enhancement to the squad."

General manager Uli Hoeneß explained the reason why Oddo will only initially arrive on loan.

"This way there's no risk," he said.

"Next summer we'll see."

Another high profile figure who is delighted by Oddo’s capture is the legendary Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who said: "We're happy to have Massimo Oddo, who is an experienced and successful defender.

“Another World Cup and Champions League winner in Bayern's ranks will help us to succeed."

Oddo will team up with 2006 World Cup winner Luca Toni, who had an outstanding first season at the Alianz Arena last term.

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While there may be all sorts of uncertainty swirling around Eastlands just now, it looks as if Mark Hughes has come up trumps again in the transfer market.

Following on from his success in this area at Blackburn Rovers – think of David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz – Manchester City's new manager seems to have found another player who can add a great deal of quality to his squad.

Vincent Kompany had only met his team-mates a couple of days before producing a highly accomplished performance in Sunday's win over West Ham. Not only that, it was the way he dovetailed smoothly with Michael Johnson in central midfield that must have left Hughes feeling very encouraged.

Sometimes, a partnership doesn't need much work, it just clicks into place, and that certainly seemed to be the case here. Kompany's natural tendency to sit in front of the back four, trying to break up attacks before spreading the play with an excellent range of passes – short and long –suited the athletic Johnson just fine.

This highly promising 20- year-old, who can run all day, found that his forward bursts were being nicely counter-balanced by Kompany's positional sense. Just like the canny Dietmar Hamann, who appeared later on, the Belgian international knew when to sit tight, giving Johnson the confidence to support the attack.

Kompany's defensive instincts, in fact, stem from a lot of experience as a centre-half, which came in very handy after Micah Richards was injured. The new boy looked equally impressive next to Tal Ben Haim, slotting in seamlessly to the back four.

Yet it appears to be the great potential of his relationship with Johnson that will serve City best this season. If both can stay fit, if Johnson can progress as a Premier League player in the way his talent should allow, and if the new signing from Hamburg builds on his classy debut, Hughes will boast a very capable central midfield.

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Click here for transfer table

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Arsenal have completed the extraordinary signing of Mikael Silvestre from title rivals Manchester United. The 31-year-old French international signs up at the Emirates on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee..

Arsenal have confirmed that the transfer took place this evening, having already awarded the experienced stopper the number 18 shirt.

Silvestre told the official club website upon his arrival at the Emirates, "I’ve spent a large part of my career at United, the last nine years, and I’ll remember that time fondly but feel I’m ready for a new challenge.

"Arsenal is known for playing technical and skilful football, and has a young but experienced squad. I’m really excited about this next stage of my career, hopefully playing my part in helping the Club to new successes."

Manager and countryman Arsene Wenger added, "We have a strong squad but a young squad and Mikael’s versatility, experience and calibre will provide the extra depth we need to reinforce our challenge for honours this season.

"His defensive adaptability will serve us well and it’s a big plus that Mikael has top level experience and a great understanding of football in the Premier League."

Late Approach

The move had the hallmarks of a whirlwind transfer about it, given that until late last night Silvestre's most likely destination appeared to be United's local rivals, Manchester City.

However reports then surfaced that Wenger had a particular fondness for the 31-year-old, who has vast experience of English football after nine seasons at Old Trafford.

Prior to that the versatile stopper had a middling season with Inter, whom he joined from Rennes after three campaigns with Rennes in the French league.

A retired international, Silvestre garnered 40 caps for Les Bleus between 2001 and 2007, winning two Confederations Cups and playing in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

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American midfielder Maurice Edu has finally completed his transfer from Toronto FC to Scottish Premier league runners-up Rangers after securing his UK work permit.

After recently securing his UK work permit, Maurice Edu has officially joined Scottish outfit Rangers from Toronto FC in a transfer worth roughly $5 million.

When Edu spoke of his transfer to the Scottish Premier League runners-up, the defensive midfielder was excited about the move, but will leave with a heavy heart.

"I'm excited about this new chapter in my career,” said Edu about transferring to Rangers. “I will miss Toronto, and the team's amazing supporters and fans. Toronto FC will always have special meaning for me because it's the club that gave me my professional start.”

Edu was drafted first overall in the 2007 MLS Superdraft by Toronto, and was the first pick in their inaugural draft class. Previously Edu attended Maryland University, but gave up his senior season to turn professional.

He joins a Rangers side that came close to an amazing continental quadruple, barely missing out on the SPL title and finishing UEFA Cup runners-up to Zenit St. Petersburg earlier this year.

Fellow American midfielder DeMarcus Beasley will welcome Edu to a Rangers squad where he should challenge for a spot in the starting XI.

-- Goal.com

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