Transferuri Campionate Externe

Rosen hails Schar capture

The capture of Switzerland international Fabian Schar from FC Basel shows TSG Hoffenheim are heading in the right direction, according to the Bundesliga club's sporting director Alexander Rosen.

Schar has signed a 4-year contract with Hoffenheim after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Basel.

Rosen told Hoffenheim's official website: "For him to sign for Hoffenheim is certainly confirmation of the great work we are doing here".

"We have taken another step forward in our squad planning with the signing of Fabian Schar."

"Schar's build-up play is very good and he is someone who has already been able to gain international experience at a young age, yet still has plenty of potential."

Hoffenheim, who recently agreed a fresh 2-year deal with midfielder Kevin Volland, finished eighth in Bundesliga this season.

Cleverley completes Everton move



Everton have signed midfielder Tom Cleverley on a 5-year deal from Man United.

The 25-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, will arrive at Goodison Park following the expiry of his contract at Old Trafford on 1 July.

Cleverley previously played under Everton manager Roberto Martinez during a loan spell at Wigan Athletic in 2010-2011.

Cleverley, who was called up to the England squad to replace Ryan Mason on Friday, was part of the United side that lifted the Premier League title in 2013 and made 79 appearances in total for the club.

Last season he helped Villa safeguard their Premier League status and reach the FA Cup Final.

Real repurchase Casemiro

Real Madrid have decided to exercise their right to re-sign Casemiro, rather than let him join FC Porto permanently.

The 23-year-old spent last season on loan with Porto, making 41 appearances and scoring 4 goals.

His impressive displays led to the Portuguese side telling Real Madrid they wanted to make the deal permanent for €15 million.

However, there was a clause in his contract allowing Real Madrid to buy him back as long as they told Porto of their intentions before 5 June and paid €7,5 million.

Leverkusen seal full Papadopoulos deal

Kyriakos Papadopoulos has joined Bayer Leverkusen on a full transfer from Schalke after spending the 2014-2015 campaign on loan at BayArena.

Papadopoulos was limited to just 14 Bundesliga appearances last term after suffering 2 shoulder injuries during the season, but Leverkusen have tied him to a 5-year deal nevertheless.

Leverkusen finished 4th in the Bundesliga last season, ensuring a spot in the play-off round of the Champions League.

Liverpool agree Ings deal

Danny Ings will sign for Liverpool when his Burnley contract expires at the end of June, pending a medical.

The England U21 striker's future was expected to lie away from Turf Moor after the Lancashire club returned to the Championship following just one season back in the Premier League.

Though not enough to keep Sean Dyche's men in the top flight, Ings scored 11 goals in 35 league appearances in his first Premier League season.

The 22-year-old's refusal to sign a contract extension with Burnley made him a reported target for many clubs, including Real Sociedad and Manchester United.

Burnley confirmed in a statement that they had rejected an offer from Liverpool for the player, who was free to discuss a move to Anfield with his contract running down, but "continue to have dialogue with the club in order to reach a resolution over the fee".

If a fee for the striker cannot be agreed between the clubs, it will instead be decided by a tribunal.

* Former France international Hatem Ben Arfa is set to resume his career at Nice, after he was prevented from playing in the second half of the 2014-2015 season.

Ben Arfa moved to the Ligue 1 side from Newcastle in January following a brief and unproductive loan spell at Hull City late in 2014.

West Ham complete Obiang deal

Pedro Obiang has become new West Ham manager Slaven Bilic's first signing, joining the club from Sampdoria for an undisclosed fee.

The Premier League side announced on Wednesday that the midfielder has put pen-to-paper on a 4-year deal, some 24 hours after Bilic was appointed as successor to Sam Allardyce at Upton Park.

Obiang, who was a youngster at Atletico Madrid prior to making the switch to Serie A, scored one goal in 34 league appearances last season.

Ayew joins Swansea



Swansea City have announced a deal to sign Andre Ayew on a free transfer.

The Ghana winger has been on the lookout for a new club ahead of the expiry of his Olympique Marseille contract and has opted to move to the Premier League, penning a 4-year deal at the Liberty Stadium.

Ayew had been linked with West Ham prior to joining Swansea and the 25-year-old becomes manager Garry Monk's first new arrival of the close-season.

Capped 63 times for his country, Ayew made 207 appearances in his 8 years at Marseille.

Ayew will wear the number 10 shirt vacated by Wilfried Bony when he left Swansea for Manchester City in January.

Sorg signs for Hannover

Hannover have completed the signing of German full-back Oliver Sorg from relegated SC Freiburg on a 4-year contract.

The 25-year-old, who has spent his entire career with Freiburg, joins for an undisclosed fee following the Baden-Wurttemberg-based club's relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.

Sorg picked up his first cap for Germany in 2014 having come through Freiburg's youth system to make his Bundesliga debut in 2011.

He has gone on to make 105 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 3 goals.

Leverkusen sign Mehmedi

Bayer Leverkusen have signed Swiss forward Admir Mehmedi from SC Freiburg for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old has signed a 4-year contract with the Werkself, remaining in the Bundesliga rather than dropping down to the second division with relegated Freiburg.

Mehmedi has been capped 32 times by his country and scored twice. He found the back of the net 4 times for Freiburg last season, half of those goals coming in their final 3 matches.

Those were not enough to prevent Freiburg from being relegated to the second division, although he is pleased to have been given the opportunity to remain in Germany's top flight, and above all to play in Champions League.

"My dream was the Champions League and now I am able to realise this", he said.

"I want to play in it this season already for Bayer Leverkusen."

"I was impressed with them when I faced them with Freiburg and I think it's amazing that I am now going to be part of them."

Benfica sign Taarabt

Adel Taarabt has signed a 5-year contract with Portuguese champions Benfica after reaching an agreement to terminate his Queens Park Rangers contract.

Enigmatic Moroccan playmaker Taarabt hardly featured for Rangers last season as they were relegated to the Championship.

And, after 6 years at Loftus Road, the 26-year-old has now moved on to Benfica on a free transfer.

Taarabt had not played regularly for QPR since the 2012-2013 campaign, which also saw them relegated from the Premier League.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man spent the first half of 2013-2014 on loan at Fulham, before another temporary switch to AC Milan for 6 months.

He made just 3 Premier League starts for Rangers last season.

Liverpool bring in Bogdan

Liverpool have secured the services of Adam Bogdan, who will move to Anfield on a free transfer when his contract at Bolton Wanderers expires at the end of this month.

The Hungary international goalkeeper joined Bolton in 2007, and made more than 100 appearances for the Championship club.

He featured against Liverpool earlier this season, keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the FA Cup 4th round.

Bogdan becomes Liverpool's third signing of the close-season, following the captures of James Milner from Manchester City and Danny Ings from Burnley - also on free transfers.

The 27-year-old is set to serve as back-up for first choice 'keeper Simon Mignolet after Brad Jones' contract was not renewed.

Burki completes Dortmund switch

Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of goalkeeper Roman Burki from SC Freiburg.

Burki played every Bundesliga fixture for Freiburg last term, but was unable to prevent the club from suffering relegation.

Nevertheless, he will now join fellow Switzerland international Admir Mehmedi - who signed for Bayer Leverkusen earlier this week - in continuing his career in the top flight.

Details of Burki's move were not released by Dortmund when they announced the deal on Sunday.

Dortmund, who will be coached by Thomas Tuchel in the 2015-2016 season after Jurgen Klopp's departure, have two international goalkeepers on their books already in Germany's Roman Weidenfeller and Mitchell Langerak of Australia.

Burki has 2 caps for Switzerland, having played in friendlies against Poland and United States in the last 12 months.

Gomes delighted with permanent Valencia switch

Andre Gomes has set his sights on success on success at Valencia after making a permanent switch from Portuguese champions Benfica.

The 21-year-old midfielder enjoyed a productive loan spell at Mestalla last season, making 33 La Liga appearances as Valencia claimed 4th place and a Champions League spot.

Gomes' impressive performances during the campaign convinced Nuno Espirito Santo to acquire him on a permanent basis, the youngster signing a 5-year deal.

Valencia sign Rodrigo



Valencia have confirmed the signing of Spanish international striker Rodrigo.

The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at the Mestalla but now joins the club on a permanent basis from Benfica after Valencia exercised their right to buy the forward.

The Brazil-born forward has signed a 4-year deal through to 2019, with reports in the Spanish press claiming Valencia will pay the Portuguese champions €30 million.

He scored 3 goals in 31 appearances last season for Valencia, who qualified for the Champions League by finishing 4th in La Liga.

Rodrigo is Valencia's third signing of the summer after they made Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes's loan from Benfica permanent and signed Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Caio from Sao Paulo.

Van der Vaart makes Betis switch

Rafael van der Vaart has signed a 3-year contract with Real Betis after deciding to move on from SV Hamburg.

The Dutchman, capped 109 times by his country, left Hamburg after a disappointing season in the Bundesliga and will now try his luck in La Liga.

Betis won promotion this season and Van der Vaart is their first signing ahead of next term's top flight return.

The 32-year-old, who counts Ajax, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur among his former clubs, will be presented to the media on Tuesday.

Bayern swoop for Ulreich

Bayern Munchen have completed the signing of VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich on a 3-year deal.

Ulreich has risen through the ranks at the Mercedes Benz ArenA and made 28 Bundesliga appearances last term.

However, he has opted for a fresh challenge and moves to the Allianz ArenA for an undisclosed fee, penning a contract until June 2018 with the German champions.

Ulreich. who made 220 appearances for Stuttgart, is likely to provide back-up for Manuel Neuer.

Southampton complete Juanmi deal

Southampton have completed the signing of Malaga striker Juanmi on a 4-year deal.

The 22-year-old, who has cost the Saints a fee in the region of £5 million, is Ronald Koeman's first signing of the summer.

Juanmi - full name Juan Miguel Jimenez Lopez - has been with Malaga since 2008 when he joined their youth set-up, and made his senior debut in January 2010 in the Copa del Rey.

Although they lost his debut 5-1 to Getafe, Juanmi scored Malaga's only goal and became the club's youngest-ever scorer.

His first-team chances were limited until the start of the 2013-2014 season, and he had a spell on loan with Racing Santander, but he has been more of a regular presence over the last 2 years.

Juanmi's form was good enough to earn a first Spain call-up in March, when he replaced an injured Diego Costa in their senior squad. He made his debut in a friendly against Holland.

Joselu makes move to Stoke



Stoke City have signed striker Joselu from Hannover in a £5.7 million deal.

The 25-year-old former Spain U21 international has become the club's third signing of the summer following the captures of defender Philipp Wollscheid and goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard.

Joselu, who began his career with Real Madrid, scored 8 goals in 30 appearances for Hannover last season.

Monchengladbach bring in Drmic

Having seen Max Kruse leave for VfL Wolfsburg, Borussia Monchengladbach have secured the services of Switzerland forward Josip Drmic on a 4-year deal from Bayer Leverkusen.

The 22-year-old moved to the BayArena from FC Nurnberg prior to last season, but struggled to make an impact at Leverkusen, having been used primarily as a substitute.

He will now be tasked with helping cover Kruse's absence in a squad that finished third in the Bundesliga last season.

Drmic will line up alongside fellow Switzerland internationals Yann Sommer and Granit Xhaka for Monchengladbach next term.

Kjaer makes Fenerbahce switch

Simon Kjaer's long-expected Lille exit has been confirmed with the Denmark international moving to Fenerbahce on a 4-year deal.

The former Wolfsburg man had been linked with Premier League side Liverpool after Lille failed to qualify for Europe, having been one of Rene Girard's standout performers last term.

Kjaer was a regular feature in Girard's back-line and has now made the switch to Istanbul with Fener, who will feature in the UEFA Champions League again this season.

The Turkish giants were banned from 2 editions of UEFA club competitions in 2013 for match-fixing.

Villa sign Richards

Aston Villa have signed ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards on a 4-year deal.

The England international spent last season on loan at Fiorentina, where he made 19 appearances in all competitions, before being released by City.

Richards, a Premier League and FA Cup winner at Etihad Stadium, will officially join Villa on a free transfer at the end of the month when his contract at City expires.

The defender has made 13 appearances for England, the most recent of which came in a friendly against Holland in February 2012.

Soares signs on at Southampton

Southampton have completed the signing of Sporting Lisbon defender Cedric Soares.

The 23-year-old right-back has penned a 4-year contract at St. Mary's Stadium and his arrival is sure to increase rumours that England international Nathaniel Clyne is to join Liverpool.

Soares, a Portugal international, has risen through the ranks at Sporting and won the Taca de Portugal last season.

Marseille sign N'Koudou

Olympique Marseille have signed midfielder Georges-Kevin N'Koudou from Ligue 1 rivals Nantes.

The 20-year-old broke into the first team at Nantes in the 2013-2014 season and became an integral part of the side last term as Michel Der Zakarian's men finished 14th in the table.

The length of N'Koudou's deal has not been made public, although widespread reports in France suggest the midfielder has been handed a 5-year contract.

N'Koudou made 32 appearances in all competitions in 2014-2015, scoring twice, and will now look to stake a claim for a place in a Marseille midfield that is reported to be set to lose Giannelli Imbula to Inter Milano.

PSG loan Areola to Villarreal

Alphonse Areola has moved to Villarreal on a season-long loan from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper spent the entire 2014-2015 campaign at Bastia, where he made 35 league appearances on a temporary basis.

And domestic Treble winners PSG have once again opted to send Areola out on loan to gain first team experience.

He joins Villarreal, who finished 6th in La Liga last season with the 4th-best defensive record. The deal does not include an option to buy.

Spurs sign Trippier

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of right-back Kieran Trippier, who has signed a 5-year deal after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Burnley.

The former Manchester City man impressed as part of a side relegated from the Premier League last term, and Burnley manager Sean Dyche confirmed a move to White Hart Lane was on the cards for the 24-year-old earlier this week.

Trippier joins a Spurs squad already bolstered by the signing of another defender, Kevin Wimmer arriving from FC Koln, and follows Danny Ings out of Turf Moor - with the striker having agreed a move to Liverpool.

Trippier looks set to compete with Kyle Walker for the right-back spot under Mauricio Pochettino, amid reports United States international DeAndre Yedlin will soon leave Tottenham on loan.

Chelsea confirm Kakuta exit

Chelsea have reached an agreement with FC Sevilla over the permanent transfer of Gael Kakuta, the club have confirmed.

The French winger, who spent last season on loan in the Primera Division with Rayo Vallecano, completed his move to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Friday after completing a medical and puts pen-to-paper on a 4-year deal with the back-to-back Europa League winners.

Kakuta was out of contract at Stamford Bridge this month but Chelsea have reportedly received £2.5 million in compensation from Sevilla due to the player being under the age of 24.

Kakuta moved to Stamford Bridge from Lens in 2007 and enjoyed a fine first season at the club, finishing as top scorer for the youth team and being named Academy Scholar of the Year.

He made his first team debut in November 2009, coming on as a second half substitute in a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and featured 12 times during the 2010/2011 campaign as Chelsea finished runners-up to Manchester United.

Loan spells with Fulham and Bolton Wanderers followed, before the winger moved to Europe, enjoying productive periods with Dijon and Vitesse Arnhem.

Swansea complete Tabanou deal

Swansea City have completed the signing of left-back Franck Tabanou from Saint-Etienne on a 3-year deal.

Tabanou, who has represented France at U21 level 12 times, is believed to have cost around £3.5 million, and becomes Swansea's second signing of the summer, following the capture of forward Andre Ayew from Olympique Marseille.

The defender has been on Swansea manager Garry Monk's target list for some time, and he nearly joined the club in the January transfer window.

Tabanou, 26-year-old, began his career at Toulouse, scoring 15 goals in 138 games, before joining Saint-Etienne in 2013.

He played in the Europa League and helped Saint-Etienne to the French Cup semi-finals last season.

Watford agree Perotti fee

Watford have agreed a club-record £7 million fee with Genoa for winger Diego Perotti.

The fee is more than double their current club record of £3.2 million, which they paid West Bromwich to sign Nathan Ellington 8 years ago.

The Championship runners-up, preparing for their first season back in the Premier League after an 8 year absence, are battling with West Ham, Inter Milano and Valencia for the Argentina international's signature.

Perotti only moved to Genoa from FC Sevilla for £250,000 last summer; Sky sources understand Sevilla will be due 20% of any transfer fee.

Perotti, who began his career at Boca Juniors before breaking into the senior ranks with Deportivo Moron, has 2 caps for Argentina, making his international debut when he moved to Sevilla in 2009. He scored 4 goals in 27 matches for Genoa last season.

He would become Watford's second signing of the summer after the Championship runners-up - preparing for their first Premier League season in 8 years - confirmed the signing of Austria defender Sebastian Prodl from Werder Bremen.

Mandzukic agrees Juventus switch

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that the club have agreed a deal to sign Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic.

The Croatia forward's future at the Vicente Calderon has been unclear over the past few weeks despite the fact he netted 20 goals in his first season at the club.

Manchester United and Liverpool have both been linked with the former Bayern Munchen man but it appears as though he will be on his way to Juventus, who are expected to lose Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors this summer.

The 29-year-old will reportedly cost Juve around £13 million.

Allegri told Sky Italia: "We have signed Mandzukic because he has got what we are looking for. He's a great player and I'm really happy".

"Mandzukic is an international-level player, he has scored goals in all the competitions he has played in and he'll do equally well in Italy."

Kondogbia set for Inter

AS Monaco midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia will have a medical at Serie A side Inter Milano on Monday, according to Sky Italia.

Kondogbia, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur this summer, is set to sign a 5-year contract with a transfer fee of around £22 million.

The Frenchman looked set to be joining AC Milan until Inter negotiators arrived in Monte Carlo on Friday to speak with the 22-year-old.

Kondogbia was one of Monaco's stand-out players as the Ligue 1 side reached the Champions League quarter-finals, in particular impressing in the 3-1 win at Arsenal in February.

Inter struggled in Serie A last term under Roberto Mancini, finishing eighth in the league and being knocked out of the Europa League at the round of 16 stage.