Steaua power for Niculescu

Two-year deal

Rapid signing

Niculescu joins Steaua
Meanwhile, Scottish international midfield player Brian Kerr has joined Scottish Premier League side Livingston FC from Newcastle United FC for six months, as Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson aims to prepare him for life in the Premiership. The 21-year-old is already a senior international despite not being a regular at Saint James' Park.

Volz to Fulham
Another English club, Fulham FC have taken 20-year-old defender Moritz Volz on loan from London rivals Arsenal FC. The German youth international, who had a similar spell last season with first-division Wimbledon FC, will hope to make an impact in the Premiership before returning to Arsenal on 31 December.

Dani released
Over in Spain, Portuguese forward Dani has been released by Club Atlético de Madrid after failing to carve out a niche for himself in the first team since his arrival in December 2000. The 26-year-old counts West Ham United FC, AFC Ajax and SL Benfica among his former clubs.

Homeward bound
Meanwhile, Irish player Charles Philip McCormick has left Icelandic team Thróttur Reykjavík to return to his home country, telling the club's website that he was homesick. The 22-year-old was in his fourth season in Iceland, but the last act of his Nordic sojourn was receiving a red card in a recent game against KA Akureyri.