Redondo makes Champions League return

AC Milan made the most significant reinforcement to their squad for the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League by welcoming back Argentinian midfield player Fernando Redondo on to their list of eligible players.

Conservative policy
There were few notable additions to Champions League clubs as football’s financial crisis meant boards were more circumspect than in recent years in their transfer dealings.

Redondo recovery
Redondo, though, has finally recovered from the knee injury that has blighted his career ever since his move to the Italian club from Real Madrid CF in summer 2000, when he won UEFA's Most Valuable Player award.

Leonardo return
The 33-year-old was joined on the list at Milan by Leonardo Nascimento, the Brazilian midfield player and 1994 FIFA World Cup winner who returns from a spell on loan at Rio de Janeiro side Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, plus midfield player Cristian Brocchi.

Inter recruits
Across town at Internazionale FC, Nigerian Obafemi Martins, 19, was the only new signing. Coach Hector Cúper will be forced to do without the services of Argentinian legend Gabriel Batistuta, who joined from AS Roma, because he has already played in the competition.

New goalkeeper
Turin team Juventus FC fine-tuned their squad by incorporating another 19-year-old, French goalkeeper Landry Bonnefoi, and defender Daniele Gastaldello, who joined from Padova.

Spain new boys
In Spain, reigning champions Madrid added 26-year-old midfield player Antonio Nuñez Tena to the list while runners-up in 2000 and 2001 Valencia CF strengthened their squad with the signing of defender Anthony Reveillère from Stade Rennais FC. Elsewhere in Spain, RC Deportivo La Coruña boosted their ranks with Pablo Amo Aguado.

Kaluzny checks in
Last year's beaten finalists, German team Bayer 04 Leverkusen, snapped up Polish midfield player Radoslaw Kaluzny from FC Energie Cottbus and Brazilian defender Cristiano Marques Gomes.

Parks to Russia
Russian team FC Lokomotiv Moscow brought in three new recruits: Platon Zakharchuk, Vladislav Khatazhenkov and Costa Rican striker Winston Parks from Udinese Calcio on loan. Defender David Mendes Da Silva, from Sparta Rotterdam, joined AFC Ajax.

Nothing to add
English representatives Arsenal FC, Manchester United FC and Newcastle United FC made no additions – and neither did the only Swiss club in the competition, FC Basel.