Confirmed Transfers (2017/18)

[King Binny]

Ömer Toprak - Borussia Dortmund (€12m)

http://www.bvb.de/eng/News/Overview/Borussia-Dortmund-sign-Oemer-Toprak-for-next-season
[article]Eight-time German champions Borussia Dortmund have announced that central defender Ömer Toprak (27) will join the club in the summer from Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Dortmund are prepared to meet the release clause in the player’s contract and he will join the squad for the 2017/18 season.

Toprak will sign a contract running until 30 June 2021 at the 1997 Champions League-winners.

In his career to date, Toprak has made 181 Bundesliga appearances for SC Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen, scoring five goals. He also has 23 appearances in the UEFA Champions League (2 goals) as well as 25 international caps for Turkey to his name.

“Ömer Toprak is a strong defender with international experience and great leadership qualities,” said Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc.

Toprak will remain fully focused on his task at Leverkusen in the coming months. Out of respect for their Bundesliga rival, BVB will make no further comment on Ömer Toprak until the end of the current season.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Hernanes - Hebei China Fortune FC (€8 million + add-ons up to €2m)

[article]Juventus Football Club can today confirm that Anderson Hernanes de Carvalho Viana Lima has completed a move to Hebei China Fortune FC for a fee of €8 million to be paid within 15 days after the release of the International Transfer Certificate.

The consideration may increase by €2 million on achieving given conditions over the course of the contract.

Arriving as valuable cover for the Bianconeri’s central midfield in August 2015, Hernanes now departs as a domestic double winner having picked up his second Coppa Italia crown and first ever Scudetto title in the season just passed.

While generally known for his composure and elegance on the ball, it was the Brazilian’s latent determination and versatility that produced his finest performance for Juve.

Arising from the bench to replace the injured Claudio Marchisio with his team trailing by two goals against Bayern Munich in February’s Champions League first knockout round encounter, the 31-year-old provided the fight, grit and poise in possession required to haul his team back into the game.

Taking to the field on 49 minutes, Hernanes’ introduction was a key part in the reversal of the Old Lady’s fortunes as dramatic strikes from Paulo Dybala and Stefano Sturaro sealed a 2-2 draw that seemed unlikely at half time.

Qualities which, no doubt, will be of fine service to Hebei China Fortune FC in the future.

Obrigado Hernanes and good luck for what lies ahead. [/article]
The signing of Rincon for €8m last month was probably in preparation for this departure.

 

[King Binny]

Kim Källström - Djurgårdens IF (free transfer)

 

[King Binny]

Oliver Torres - Porto (€20m)

[article]Atletico Madrid's Oliver Torres will join Porto permanently in the summer for €20 million after the Portuguese giants exercised a clause in his current loan deal.

The midfielder has shone for the club during his second loan stint at the Estadio do Dragao, scoring two goals and setting up one more during his 18 league appearances this season.

"Porto hereby informs the market that it has exercised the purchase option for the acquisition of the sporting rights of the athlete Oliver, for the amount of €20m, from Atletico Madrid," a club statement reads.

"It is further informed that the contract of employment with the player will be effective upon the termination of the loan agreement currently in force."

The transfer will be the second biggest deal in the history of the Portuguese league, just €2m short of the €22 million Benfica paid Atletico for Mexican international Raul Jimenez in 2015.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Ludwig Augustinsson - Werder Bremen (reportedly €3m)

[article]Werder Bremen have confirmed the signing of Swedish international full-back Ludwig Augustinsson for an undisclosed fee, in a deal that will see the 22-year-old make the switch to the Bundesliga at the end of the current season.

Augustinsson has spent the last two years of his career playing in the Danish top-flight with FC Copenhagen, and he will remain there until the end of the current season after which he will link up with Die Werderaner.

Anders Hørsholt, the director of the Danish club, said that the deal shows "that we are able to create players that are interesting for the biggest leagues in Europe" and went on to add that "the chance to show off internationally" was the "next step in [Augustinsson's] career".

Despite the Swede's departure now having been confirmed, he will still fulfill his duties as a Copenhagen player until the end of the season due to an agreement between themselves and Werder Bremen that he would return to the Danish side until next season.

"We know that he will be deeply focused to finish the job in FCK and finish strong here in both the Super League and in Europe", Hørsholt told the club's official website, also using the opportunity to make clear that fellow left-back Nicolai Boilesen will "begin to compete with Ludwig for a spot as left back" in the immediate future.

Augustinsson himself also spoke to the club's official website upon the confirmation of the deal, stating that "it is crucial for me that I finish strong and help the club and the team to success in both Europe and the title chase".

Augustinsson is the second player that Werder Bremen have acquired from Copenhagen in the winter transfer window, following the signing of Thomas Delaney earlier in the month.[/article]

He's a bargain signing on FM 2017

 

[King Binny]

Lucas Pratto - Sao Paulo (undisclosed fee)

[article]Sao Paulo have signed Argentine international striker Lucas Pratto from Brazilian rivals Atletico Mineiro, the club said on Friday.

The 28-year-old centre forward signed a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Sao Paulo will be his ninth club in 10 years.

"We are bringing one of the best strikers on the continent, a starter with Argentina and possibly one of the stars of the next World Cup," Sao Paulo's president Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva said.

Pratto's defection to a club who acknowledged their need for a regular goalscorer came just hours after their city rivals Palmeiras signed Miguel Borja from Colombia's Atletico Nacional on a five-year deal.

Borja, 24, was one of the outstanding players in a season in which Atletico reached the final of both the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.

Both players are expected to make their debuts in the Sao Paulo state championship that got underway last week.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Lito Vidigal - Maccabi Tel Aviv (Head Coach)

[article]Maccabi Tel Aviv is pleased to announce the appointment of Lito Vidigal as its new Head Coach. Lito, 47, former national team player and coach of his native Angola, joins Maccabi from FC Arouca of Portugal where he has been coaching since 2015. Lito, is set to land in Israel in the coming days and sign a 1.5-year-deal with an option for another season.

Sports Director Jordi Cruyff told the clubs’ official website: “Lito has been on our radar for some time. He brings with him a level of tactical nous, work ethic and ambition which fits ideally with our culture. I believe that with the support of the whole Maccabi family, Lito, will be able to help Maccabi fulfill its ambitions.”

Lito, added: “I am excited and happy to be joining this fantastic Club. I would like to thank everyone especially the Owner, Mitch Goldhar, for their confidence in me and I assure everyone that I will work tirelessly for success”.

Club owner, Mitch Goldhar, said: “We have a lot of work ahead of us and I believe that Lito has the right qualities and is the right fit for our Club. Together with all our fans wish him the best in his new role.”

Immediately after retiring from a playing career at the age of 35 with Santa Clara of Portugal, Lito, began his coaching career with Pontassolense in 2004.

Since then he been coaching Ribeirao, Estrella Amadora, Portimonense, Uniao Leirra, the Angola national team, AEL Limassol of Cyprus, Belenenses which he guided to European qualification before joining Arouca as coach in 2015. Having won promotion to the Portuguese top flight, Lito guided Arouca to fifth place in the league and European berth.

After knocking out Dutch side Heracles in the 3rd qualifying round, Lito and Arouca missed out on the Europa League group stage with a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Olympiacos in the Playoffs. Lito has since guided Arouca to 9th in the Portuguese table with 28 points from 21 matches.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Tomas Kadar - Dynamo Kyiv (€2.6 million)

[article]
FC Dynamo Kyiv and Lech Poznan have approved documents for transfer of Hungary national team defender Tomas Kadar.

The player has signed four-year contract with our club.

Kadar has already picked his squad number – 44.

Some information about our newcomer is for your attention.

Tamas Kadar was born on March 14 1990. He’s a trainee of the club called Zalaegerszegi TE.

He made his professional debut in 2006. After a season and a half with native team (14 league appearances, 2 in Intertoto Cup and 7 in League Cup) he joined Newcastle United FC in 2008.

Kadar played his first game for Newcastle only on August 31 2009 due to injury. In 2009/2010 season he made 13 appearances for Newcastle in the Championship and 5 in cup tournaments. The following season Newcastle performed in the Premier League.

In January of 2011 Tamas signed loan agreement with Huddersfield Town AFC, but after only two games returned because of injury.

In August of 2012 Kadar joined Dutch side Roda JC Kerkrade and made 12 appearances for this team after which he had a loan move to Hungarian club Diosgyori VTK. After the end of the season he signed a contract with this team.

Kadar performed for Diosgyori till January of 2015 and made 73 appearances in all competitions. He won the 2013/2014 Hungarian League Cup.

In January of 2015 Kadar joined Lech Poznan and won both Polish league and Super Cup with the team. He made 74 appearances for Lech in all competitions.

Kadar used to be called up to Hungary youth teams.

On November 17 2010 he made his debut for the national team. Kadar made a substitute appearance in the friendly against Lithuania.

At the moment Tamas has 37 caps to his name.

Kadar participated in Euro-2016. He took the field in group stage games against Austria and Iceland and in the round of 16 match against Belgium.
[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Préjuce Nakoulma - Nantes (free transfer)

Burkina Faso winger who apparently had a good AFCON campaign

 

[King Binny]

Igor Tudor - Galatasaray (Head Coach)

[article]Galatasaray have appointed Igor Tudor as their new head coach on a one-and-a-half-year contract.

Tudor, 38, joins from fellow Super Lig club Karabukspor in a move that swiftly follows Tuesday's sacking of Jan Olde Riekerink, who had been in charge of Gala for less than a year.

The former Juventus and Croatia defender has impressed at the helm of Karabukspor this season.

His now former side have taken 27 points from their opening 20 matches, leaving them comfortably mid-table in their first season since promotion, and they beat champions and leaders Besiktas 2-1 last Friday.

Ahead of the move, Karabukspor president Ferudun Tankut stated that Tudor's decision to join Galatasaray would be "a black spot on Turkish football history" and some of the club's fans reportedly staged a protest at the first-team training session on Tuesday.

Tudor is now at his fourth club in as many years since starting his non-playing career, having previously been in charge of Hajduk Split in his homeland and Greek club PAOK.

Riekerink won the Turkish Cup last season but has struggled to find consistent results in the Super Lig, with third-placed Gala sitting five points adrift of leaders Besiktas.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Lee Clark - Bury (First Team Manager)

[article]Bury FC have agreed a compensation package with Kilmarnock FC for Lee Clark to become the Shakers new manager. After discussions, over the past few days, Kilmarnock have agreed to release Lee from his contract with immediate effect.

Chairman Stewart Day has been looking to identify the right candidate to take the club forward after the departure of David Flitcroft.

Stewart Day said “The appointment of the manager for the club is a key one in the progression of Bury Football Club and I have taken my time to assess where we are as club and how we can progress forward. Sometimes this takes longer than anticipated due to ensuring you get the right person, the relationship between the Chairman and the Manager, at any football club, is the most important partnership.

Whilst there where a number of applicants for the job when David Flitcroft left I didn’t feel that these where the right fit for the club to progress and I wanted to go out and appoint someone who I believe in.

Lee is someone who I have followed through his playing and managerial career and Lee has played at the very highest level and has managed at League One and Championships clubs and I, particularly, was aware of his time at Huddersfield and Birmingham City. Lee managed Huddersfield to a record 49 games unbeaten and took the club to the League One Play-off final.

Lee has since gone on to manage at Blackpool, in the Championship, and now at Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership where he has taken Kilmarnock from a relegation Play-off position and now leaves them in 6th position within 12 months.

I firmly believe that Lee is the right man and he has an enthusiasm and passionate desire to take this club forward. I was overwhelmed with his knowledge of the club and the contacts he has in the game and how he believes in what we can achieve together.

I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Chris Brass and Ryan Kidd for stepping up into the role and helping to steady the ship. We have, under their stewardship, been able to develop players from our Youth academy into the First team and this also helped enable the sale of Jacob Bedeau to Aston Villa.

Both Chris and Ryan will still have an important role at the club and further news will be released in due course.

Lee will meet the players tomorrow at the Carrington training ground and will be in charge for this Saturday’s fixture against Chesterfield.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Zdenek Zeman - Pescara (Head Coach)

[article]Czech coach Zdenek Zeman on Thursday agreed terms to return to Serie A bottom club Pescara after Massimo Oddo was sacked earlier this week.

Former Lazio, Roma and Cagliari manager Zeman, 69, led the Abruzzo side from Serie B to Serie A in 2011-2012, with a team that featured future Italy stars Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile and Marco Verratti.

Oddo, who served as a substitute defender in Italy's 2006 World Cup win, was axed with Pescara in last place on nine points, 14 points from safety.

Zeman, who is known for his adventurous style of play, is understood to have got a contract until next year to get the Delfini (Dolphins) back into the top flight, given that relegation is a virtual certainty.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Marcelo Bielsa - Lille (Head Coach)

[article]
Marcelo Bielsa has agreed to take over at Lille on a two-year contract which begins on July 1, 2017.

Bielsa, 61, has been without a club since leaving Lazio just two days after his appointment as coach last summer.

Lille have been without a permanent first-team coach since Frederic Antonetti was relieved of his duties in November. His assistant, Patrick Collot, initially took charge before being replaced by Franck Passi until the end of the season.

Passi, 50, was caretaker boss at Marseille last season and worked as an assistant to Bielsa when the Argentine coach was in charge of the southern giants between May 2014 and August 2015.

Lille director Marc Ingla said on his club's website: "Marcelo Bielsa is undoubtedly one of the most respected and influential coaches in the world and succeeding in attracting him to LOSC is an immense satisfaction, and proof of the ambitions of our club.

"It is no secret that Gerard Lopez and Marcelo Bielsa are close and have been discussing this opportunity for some time. We always thought that Marcelo was the best person, both for his football philosophy and his experience, rigor and professionalism, to build with us the project and the future success of LOSC."

Lille were bought by Lopez, a former president of Formula One team Lotus who has been seeking a high-profile coach to lead his project, last year. And he told RMC that he was optimistic about hiring Bielsa.

The former Argentina and Chile coach enjoys an excellent reputation in France for his work at Marseille during the 2014-15 season when his side played some of the best football in Ligue 1.
[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Andrea Mandorlini - Genoa (Head Coach)

[article]
Genoa have officially sacked Coach Ivan Juric and appointed Andrea Mandorlini.

The Grifone have scraped together just two points from their last nine games and are without a win since mid-December.

Sunday’s humiliating 5-0 defeat to bottom of the table Pescara proved the final straw.

Genoa President Enrico Preziosi decided to fire Juric this evening.

Former Verona and Atalanta boss Mandorlini signed an 18-month contract.

Genoa ultras reacted angrily to the latest defeat, meeting the team bus at the airport to physically attack it.

They aimed insulting chants at President Preziosi and the players, but largely spared Juric.

Nonetheless, it is the Coach who takes the rap and is removed from his position.

This was Juric’s first Serie A experience after he took Crotone to their first ever promotion from Serie B last season.

56-year-old Mandorlini spent most of his playing career with Inter, the club he supports, and had management spells with the likes of Atalanta, Bologna, Padova, Siena, Sassuolo and Romanian side Cluj.

His most recent experience was at Hellas Verona from 2010 to 2015, taking the club from Lega Pro to 10th place in Serie A.

He was fired by Verona in November 2015.
[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Andries Jonker - Wolfsburg (Head Coach)

[article]Andries Jonker returns to VfL Wolfsburg and takes charge of the Green-Whites as head-coach with immediate effect. The 54-year-old, who operated as assistant and tactical coach at VfL between 2012 and 2014, comes in from top English club Arsenal FC, where he has run the 'Gunners' youth academy since 2014. Andries Jonker, who has signed with the Wolves until 2018, will be presented to the public officially as new head-coach on Monday and subsequently hold his first training session. Sporting director Olaf Rebbe: "Andries Jonker knows VfL Wolfsburg well and maintained regular contact with the club even after his move to London. Both factors were vital in us achieving this top solution so quickly. He is an internationally experienced coach and an expert tactician, who provides the best possible requirements to get VfL back on track quickly and sustainably."

In his coaching career, aside from positions at several professional clubs in Holland, Andries Jonker has also worked with the Dutch Football Federation in youth development, as well as being assistant coach to Louis van Gaal at FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich, where he was also caretaker-coach following van Gaal’s dismissal in 2011, guiding the team to the Champions League.[/article]

Fredrik Ljungberg - Wolfsburg (Assistant Head Coach)

 

[King Binny]

Michel - Malaga (Head Coach)

[article]Malaga have announced the appointment of Michel as their new head coach just hours after parting company with Marcelo Romero.

Romero's brief spell in charge of Malaga came to an end on Tuesday morning, the 40-year-old paying the price for the team's poor start to 2017 that saw them win just one and lose seven of 10 games and slip to 15th place in La Liga.

The Andalusian club have moved quickly to find his successor, handing the reins to former Sevilla and Olympiakos coach.

A club statement said: "Jose Miguel Gonzalez Martin, better known as Michel, will be the new Malaga CF coach through to the 2017/18 campaign. The coach will manage his first training session on Wednesday morning and will be unveiled to the media later that day at the La Rosaleda stadium."

A former Malaga player, Romero was promoted from the position of assistant coach he held for three seasons in Dec. 28 after Juande Ramos resigned from the post.

Michel, 53, had been without a club since being dismissed by Marseille on April 2016. The former Real Madrid player has previously coached Rayo Vallecano, Madrid's Castilla side, Getafe and Sevilla, before moving to Greece in 2013 where he contributed to Olympiakos winning three successive league titles.

Michel inherits a team that has mustered five points of a possible 30 in La Liga and has lost its last three encounters, including Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao. His first game in charge will be at home to Alaves on Saturday.[/article]

Nicklas Bendtner - Rosenborg (undisclosed fee)

[article]Nicklas Bendtner has left Nottingham Forest for Norwegian champions Rosenborg, both clubs have announced.

The 29-year-old Denmark forward has put pen to paper on a three-year deal after joining RBK for an undisclosed fee.

Bendtner played 17 times for Forest, with the last of his two goals coming in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle in December.

The Championship outfit confirmed the move on their official website, while Rosenborg shared the news on Twitter.

Bendtner was an Arsenal player from 2005 to 2014, during which time he had loan spells with Birmingham, Sunderland and Juventus.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Horst Heldt - Hannover (Sporting Director)

[article]German second-division side Hannover have sacked their general manager and sporting director to make way for former Schalke GM Horst Heldt.

Hannover, who were relegated from the Bundesliga last season, say Martin Bader and sporting director Christian Moeckel have been let go "with immediate effect."

Supervisory board members decided "the club's sporting leadership needs to be changed" to secure their immediate top-flight return.

Heldt has been assigned both their duties as the club's new sporting director.

After two games without a win, Hannover slipped to third in the second division, good enough for a playoff but not automatic promotion. Eleven rounds remain.

Coach Daniel Stendel, who took over from Thomas Schaaf when the side were on the verge of relegation last April, remains in charge of the team.[/article]

Fabio Liverani -Ternana (Head Coach)

[article]Serie B side Ternana have appointed former Italy midfielder Fabio Liverani as Coach until the end of the season.

On the same day as Carmine Gautieri’s dismissal, Liverani has been drafted in by Ternana, with the side having lost nine of their last 10 Serie B games and subsequently eight points adrift at the bottom.

The ex-Lazio and Palermo midfielder picked up three caps for Italy during his playing career but was sacked by Genoa and left Leyton Orient in both of his previous coaching jobs.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Pedro Caixinha - Rangers (Manager)

[article]RANGERS Football Club has today confirmed Pedro Caixinha as Manager.

The 46-year-old Portuguese was the number one target for the Ibrox Board and the Club are delighted to announce he has joined on a three-year deal.

Pedro, who recently coached Qatar Stars League side Al-Gharafa, becomes just the sixteenth manager to take charge of Rangers and he arrives with a wealth of experience.

A former assistant manager at Sporting Lisbon, Panathinaikos, Rapid Bucharest and the Saudi Arabian national side, he progressed to manager of Uniao Leiria in 2010 before spells at Nacional then Mexican club Santos Laguna – where he won three major honours – before joining Al-Gharafa in 2015.

Graeme Murty will remain in the dugout for Sunday’s derby game against Celtic but Pedro will attend and begin working at the training ground on Monday.

Rangers Managing Director Stewart Robertson commented: “We are delighted to welcome Pedro to Rangers. We compiled a shortlist of high-quality candidates for the position but we knew after our initial meeting with Pedro that he was the right man to take this club forward.

“He is a man of great experience and authority and the Board has no doubt he will help us achieve our long-term goals. I would like to thank the Rangers supporters for their patience throughout the process but we were determined to appoint the best candidate possible.

“I would also like to thank Graeme Murty for taking control of the first team. He will complete his duties at Celtic Park on Sunday before returning to his role with the under-20s and Pedro will begin his work on Monday morning.”

Pedro Caixinha commented: “It is a great honour to join Rangers Football Club. This Club has a great history and tradition and I am proud to follow in the footsteps of legendary Rangers managers like Walter Smith, Graeme Souness and Jock Wallace.

“Rangers is a name that is known worldwide and I am looking forward to forging a positive relationship with supporters and meeting the playing squad and staff at the Club. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead and I assure all our fans that I will do all I can to provide a winning and entertaining Rangers team.”

Details of Pedro’s backroom team will be confirmed in due course.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Jonas Olsson - Djurgarden IF (free transfer)

[article]ALBION confirm the end of an era at The Hawthorns after agreeing to allow Jonas Olsson to return to Swedish football.

The 34-year-old defender, affectionately known as “Swede” by his team mates, leaves after a nine-year stay to take up a new start with top-flight Swedish side Djurgården IF.

Albion and Olsson mutually agreed to terminate the remaining months of his contract in order he join his new Stockholm-based club in time for the start of the Swedish season in ten days.

But the news will be greeted with sadness by Baggies fans everywhere who have watched Olsson play an integral role in transforming Albion from a ‘yo-yo’ club into one currently eighth in this their seventh consecutive Premier League campaign.

Olsson’s Hawthorns statistics give an indication of his immense contribution following his signing from Dutch side NEC in 2008 – a total of 253 appearances, eight as a substitute, and 14 goals.

In the Premier League, Olsson made 194 starts and scored eight goals.

Although his first season at the club ended in relegation from the Premier League, he then helped the team gain immediate promotion the following season since when he has been a constant figure in Albion’s sustained top-flight presence.

"It's all happened so quickly I've not had chance to say a proper farewell to so many people," said Jonas.

"I will be back at the first chance to do that. But I'm really grateful to the club for helping me sort out this transfer.

"I still feel I have a few good years in me but such is the quality of the competition at Albion for places in my position, it was getting harder and harder to see a first team opportunity.

"Albion has been and will always be a huge part of my life and it is great to feel I am leaving it in such a strong position."[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Marc Wilmots - Ivory Coast (Head Coach)

[article]Former Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has been hired as the new coach of the Ivory Coast national team.

Ivory Coast are coming off a disappointing showing at the African Nations Cup, where they were eliminated in the group phase.

Wilmots led Belgium for four years, reaching the quarterfinals at both the 2014 World Cup and last year's European Championship.

After losing to Wales in the Euro 2016 quarterfinals, Wilmots was derided for failing to get Belgium's best crop of players any further in the tournament.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Mahmoud Dahoud - Dortmund (reportedly between €12-14 million)

[article]Eight-time German champions Borussia Dortmund have signed Germany U21 international Mahmoud "Mo" Dahoud from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach ahead of the 2017/18 season.

The 21-year-old, who came through the ranks at Mönchengladbach and has made 52 Bundesliga appearances (six goals) as well as 17 UEFA Champions League/UEFA Europa League appearances (one goal), had been coveted by a number of Europe's top clubs but opted to join BVB, signing a contract that will keep him at Signal Iduna Park until 30 June 2022.

"Mo Dahoud is a highly-talented and exciting central midfield player who we have been keeping very close tabs on for several years now. He has already proven that he can cut it at the highest level," said Borussia Dortmund's Sporting Director Michael Zorc.

Both clubs have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transfer.[/article]

 

[Oncy]

Jonas Olsson - Djurgarden IF (free transfer)

[article]ALBION confirm the end of an era at The Hawthorns after agreeing to allow Jonas Olsson to return to Swedish football.

The 34-year-old defender, affectionately known as “Swede” by his team mates, leaves after a nine-year stay to take up a new start with top-flight Swedish side Djurgården IF.

Albion and Olsson mutually agreed to terminate the remaining months of his contract in order he join his new Stockholm-based club in time for the start of the Swedish season in ten days.

But the news will be greeted with sadness by Baggies fans everywhere who have watched Olsson play an integral role in transforming Albion from a ‘yo-yo’ club into one currently eighth in this their seventh consecutive Premier League campaign.

Olsson’s Hawthorns statistics give an indication of his immense contribution following his signing from Dutch side NEC in 2008 – a total of 253 appearances, eight as a substitute, and 14 goals.

In the Premier League, Olsson made 194 starts and scored eight goals.

Although his first season at the club ended in relegation from the Premier League, he then helped the team gain immediate promotion the following season since when he has been a constant figure in Albion’s sustained top-flight presence.

"It's all happened so quickly I've not had chance to say a proper farewell to so many people," said Jonas.

"I will be back at the first chance to do that. But I'm really grateful to the club for helping me sort out this transfer.

"I still feel I have a few good years in me but such is the quality of the competition at Albion for places in my position, it was getting harder and harder to see a first team opportunity.

"Albion has been and will always be a huge part of my life and it is great to feel I am leaving it in such a strong position."[/article]

Thank fuck. Hated this big fucking thug

 

[King Binny]

Simone Zaza - Valencia (reportedly €16 million plus add ons up to €2 million)

[article]Simone Zaza will become a Valencia CF player on a permanent basis from July 1st, 2017, in accordance with the terms of the current loan agreement for the player signed with Juventus FC.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

David Khocholava - Shaktar Donetsk (undisclosed fee)


[article]Chornomorets defender David Khocholava has signed a five-year contract with the Pitmen. The footballer will join Shakhtar in the 2017/18 season.

Player profile
David Khocholava
Born on February 8, 1993 in Tbilisi (Georgia).
Position: defender
Height: 192 cm

He played for Georgian clubs Sasco (Tbilisi), Metalurh (Rustavi), Sioni (Bolnisi), Dinamo (Tbilisi), Kolkheti (Poti) and Shukura (Kobuleti).

Since the 2015/16 season, he has been defending the colours of Odesa-based Chornomorets. In the Ukrainian Premier League, he made 39 apps and scored 3 goals.

In August 2016, Khocholava won his first Georgia cap, having made 3 apps to date.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Mikael Forssell - Helsinki IFK (free transfer)

36 yrs old already. Time flies...

 

[King Binny]

Kevin Großkreutz - SV Darmstadt 98 (free transfer)

[article]Kevin Grosskreutz, a member of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning team, has agreed to join the Bundesliga's bottom club Darmstadt in the summer. This comes just weeks after he said he wanted to take a break from the game.

The 28-year-old defensive midfielder had his contract with second division side VfB Stuttgart terminated in March after ending up in hospital following a night out with some of the club's youth players. In the wake of the incident, the former Borussia Dortmund player stated his desire to take a break from professional football.

But now, Darmstadt coach Torsten Frings has been able to change the former national team player's mind.

"Torsten Frings paid a lot of attention to me and, together with others at the club, convinced me that this is the right step for me," Grosskreutz said after signing a contract from this summer until June 2019. "I can't wait to join Darmstadt and, like at all my previous clubs, I will do everything I can to help the team succeed."

With the Lillies 14 points adrift of safety in the Bundesliga, coach Frings is already preparing for life in the second division next season. He himself reportedly turned down offers from England's second-tier Championship, opting to instead commit to Darmstadt and believes Grosskreutz can play a key role at the club.

"Kevin is an incredibly experienced player who has won the World Cup and played at the very highest level," he said in a statement. "In our discussions, I could feel how excited he was about this new challenge. Both in a sporting sense and as a character, he will be a cornerstone of our team next season."

Grosskreutz's escapades in Stuttgart were just the latest in a string of controversies which have dogged him throughout his career. He was fined 50,000 euros ($53,000) by Borussia Dortmund for urinating in a hotel lobby after the 2014 German Cup final and in a separate incident was accused of throwing a kebab at a fan in Cologne.

On social media, he has frequently made jokes about controversial Bundesliga newcomers RB Leipzig, suggesting that "even Schalke will win the league before RB become a traditional club." He also joked last summer that he planned to sign for the Red Bull-backed club because "money talks."[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Monchi - Roma (Sporting Director)


Oscar Arias - Sevilla (Sporting Director)

[article]Sevilla have named Monchi’s right-hand man, Oscar Arias, as their new sporting director.
Arias has been promoted to the position after four years working alongside Monchi, who recently called time on his four-decade-long spell with Sevilla.

The Germany-born Spaniard was raised in nearby Huelva and played as a midfielder for Recreativo over two spells prior to his retirement from professional football in 2002.

He then began working with the club’s youth sector, before being promoted to technical secretary after the sudden death of Pepe Rivera in 2004.

Arias’ work helped Recre gain promotion to La Liga a year later and subsequently spend three seasons in the top flight.

He left to take up the same position at Las Palmas in 2009, laying in part the foundations for the islanders’ return to the Primera two years ago.

The 51-year-old will be formally unveiled as the Andalusians’ new sporting director next week.
[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Andreas Cornelius - Atalanta (reportedly €3.5m)

[article]Infamous Cardiff City flop Andreas Cornelius has agreed a deal with Serie A side Atalanta following his spell at FC Copenhagen,

The former Bluebirds striker, who cost the club £7.5million when Malky Mackay was in charge, failed to find the net as a Cardiff player and quickly moved back to his native Denmark.

He is now widely remembered as an expensive disaster among Bluebirds fans, but a prolific season for Danish giants Copenhagen has prompted interest from Italy.

And despite his Premier League travails in 2013/14, Atalanta have swooped for a deal — which is reportedly in the region of €3.5m — for the 24-year-old.

Cornelius has scored in this season's Champions League, netting 11 goals in all competitions to take his Copenhagen tally to 45 in 93 starts over two spells.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Billy Gilmour - Chelsea

[article]RANGERS can confirm that agreement has been reached for our under-16 player Billy Gilmour to join Chelsea in the summer.

The club’s preference would have been for Billy to stay at Rangers but when he made clear his desire to move to the Premier League it was important that we maximised the commercial value for him. We believe we have done this.

The agreement will provide Rangers with a significant sum for a young player who has yet to play first-team football, and further significant amounts could be due based on milestones being reached. We are pleased with this outcome and believe this deal represents good value for Rangers.

That he was sought after by many Premiership clubs, and indeed a number of the largest clubs in Europe, further demonstrates the quality of player now being produced by the Academy. Everyone at Rangers wishes Billy well for his future.[/article]

 

[King Binny]

Walter Sabatini - Inter Milan & Jiangsu Suning (Technical Director)

[article]Walter Sabatini has been appointed by the Suning Sports Group as joint technical coordinator for Inter Milan and their struggling Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning.

The 62-year-old, who has also worked with Roma, Lazio and Palermo, will be in charge of development work, including planning for players and coaches, international scouting and medical systems.

On Tuesday Suning sacked Stefano Pioli as Inter head coach and Sabatini will work above whoever comes in next at the San Siro as well as Jiangsu head coach Choi Yong-soo.

Jiangsu are bottom of the domestic standings but became the first to qualify for the knockout phase of the Asian Champions League. Inter look set to miss out on European football as they sit seventh in Serie A.

Sabatini has big ambitions for his new clubs domestically and further afield.

'We believe that he will bring us the best and the most advanced football management knowledge and eventually make Suning Sports a leading sport corporate in the world,' the club said on Chinese social network Weibo.

Chinese retail giant Suning Commerce Group are also the owners of Inter Milan after buying the Italian club last June.

Sabatini said he took the assignment as a 'new challenge'.

'I come here because Suning's vision and concept of developing sports and football match mine,' he told reporters. 'I am moved by their determination and long-term football plan.

'I hope to use my experiences to work with Suning, in order to build a world-famous sport corporate.'[/article]