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The Fabregas Saga has finall come to an end. Arsenal has announced that they have reached an agreement with Barcelona for midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
"We have been clear that we didn't want Cesc to leave and that remains the case." Manager Arsene Wenger said "However, we understand Cesc's desire to move to his home town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona. We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success."
Fabregas spent eight years with Arsenal, scoring 35 goals in 212 appearances.
Source: Arsenal.com
Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Alexis Sanchez from Udinese for a fee of €26 million ($37 million). The deal will be finalized once the winger passes a medical on Monday. Sanchez was voted the best player in Serie A last year, scoring 12 goals in 31 appearances.
Sanchez is expected to sign a five-year contract with the La Liga Champions.
“He’s very young,” Coach Pep Guardiola said on the club’s Web site. “He can play in all three attacking positions, he shows intense defensive skills, he’s direct and from what I’ve been told, he’s a very nice kid.”
source: soccernet.espn.go.com
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- by Cole O'Brien, writing from Spokane, Idaho
"To all my amazing fans, I have indeed agreed to terms to join AZ in Holland. Thanks for all the love and hate it's all making me better!"
The 21-year-old was rumoured to be looking at a move to the Netherlands earlier this summer and it seems that now it has come true. Of course nothing has been signed yet, but according the Altidore's agent the move will be completed the coming week in Holland. The new move to AZ will give Altidore a chance to come back into the spotlight. AZ, who finished fourth last year respectively, are a rising power throughout Holland. If Altidore can impress the coaching staff he could very well find the future he always was always predicted to have.
After getting minimum playing time with Villarreal you could see the joy on Altidore's face after announcing the transfer. Clearly his impressive play in the Gold Cup for the United States before he was ruled out due to injury paid off.
What are your thoughts on Altidore heading to the Netherlands? Is it a chance for him to re-start his career or will it be another failed stint?
Manchester City have acquired by Gaël Clichy, who was entering the final year of his contract with Arsenal, for a reported fee of £7 million today.
“We would like to thank Gael for eight years of terrific service to Arsenal, during which time he gave absolutely everything for the Club." Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger said. "He has grown and developed so much since joining us in 2003, and has been a crucial part of the team over recent seasons. Gael leaves with our respect and best wishes. We wish him the very best for his future career.”
“I have had eight fantastic years at Arsenal and made many friends." Clichy said. "I have so many great memories from my time at Highbury and Emirates Stadium. I would like to say thank you to everyone at Arsenal for all of their support and friendship. I also want to send a big thank you to all the Arsenal supporters, who have always been so good to me.”
Clichy will play with some familiar face. Patrick Vieira and Kolo Toure were his teammates at Arsenal. "I can't wait to get started and I think anything is possible with this team," Clichy said. "When I first came to England, it was Kolo Toure and Patrick Vieira who took me under their wing and really looked after me."
Sources: ESPNSoccernet.com, Arsenal.com, USAToday.com
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"We've been working on it [De Gea transfer] for quite a while. We identified him quite a while back as one we should go for." Sir Alex Ferguson said. "He's a young goalkeeper, very quick, good composure, presence and an outstanding replacement for van der Sar."
David de Gea will sign a 5-year deal with United on July 1st, when the Transfer Window opens.
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Fellow Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has yet to decide whether or not he will stay with the club. Defender Alessandro Nesta and Forward Filippo Inzaghi both signed a contract extension through 2012. Defender Thiago Silva extended his contract through 2016, and midfielder Mark van Bommel extended his contract through next season.
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The transfer is a British transfer record surpassing Andy Carroll's £35 million ($56.3 million) move from Newcastle United to Liverpool earlier in the day. Prior to both the record was Robinho's £32.5 million move from Real Madrid to Manchester City.
So what does this mean for Liverpool? Well to start the nice £50 million they recieved for Torre's transfer is going to help pay for their two new Forwards: Luis Suarez and the arguably over-priced Andy Carroll. Suarez is small and nimble and Carroll is big and powerful, so the two should complement each other nicely. Carroll will take the role of the main striker, and Suarez will be his support.
Torres has been struggling since the World Cup this past Summer, while Suarez and Carroll are arguably on top of their game. Do you think Liverpool were a better team prior to the Transfer Deadline, or after the Transfer Deadline? Leave your response in the comments section.
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Flamengo President Patricia Amorim:
"We are pleased to announce the hiring of Ronaldinho for the next four years. I thank the board for the discretion and wisdom throughout the negotiations.
"This project started from the first day I got the presidency. I thank the legal department to [head coach Wanderley] Luxemburgo and especially the fans of Flamengo."
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"I felt it was the right time to return to North America and I have been impressed by the Whitecaps FC organization and the vision they have as a club. I am excited to make Vancouver my new home."Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi had the following comments on todays signing:
"Jay is a quality individual and leader - both on and off the pitch - and is the type of player we are looking to build our team with."On a side note, look how sweet the Whitecaps uniforms are.
"He has excelled both at the club and international levels, and we are thrilled that Jay has joined Whitecaps FC as our first Major League Soccer player signing."
Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven have agreed on a deal that will send Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay to the Camp Nou in January. The Catalan juggernauts have been keen on adding depth to their midfield and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta believes that Afellay, who's contract with PSV expires at the end of the season, would be the perfect fit for the club.
The 24 year old has spent his short professional career at PSV scoring 34 goals in 154 appearances. Afellay represented the Netherlands at the 2008 UEFA European Championship and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa making substitute appearances in both.
German Club Hannover has signed American winger DaMarcus Beasley to a two-year contract. Beasley spent the last three seasons playing for Rangers FC of the Scottish Premier League, scoring 4 goals in 49 appearances before leaving the team at the end of last season. Beasley will be one of two Americans on the squad as he joins American defender Steve Cherundolo who was named Captain of the club over the summer.