Europa League contenders strengthen their hands
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
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Mauro Camoranesi went from Juventus to VfB Stuttgart while Liverpool FC were also active on the last day of the transfer window as UEFA.com rounds up the key moves.
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UEFA.com rounds up all the key movers among the 48 clubs in the UEFA Europa League group stage on transfer deadline day.
Former Feyenoord forward Andwélé Slory has moved to PFC Levski Sofia on a two-year deal. The 27-year-old, who ended last season at West Bromwich Albion FC in England, joins fellow Dutchman Dustley Mulder and Serginho Greene at the capital club. Meanwhile, Bulgaria's other group-stage participant, PFC CSKA Sofia, have drafted in Algeria goalkeeper Raïs M'Bolhi, 24, on loan from city rivals PFC Slavia Sofia.
Sporting Clube de Portugal brought in former Germany goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand and Brazilian youth international Tales de Souza. Hildebrand, 31, arrives on a one-year contract as a free agent following the expiry of his contract at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. "I think Sporting are the right club for me," said the former Valencia CF and VfB Stuttgart No1. The 20-year-old Tales hás joined on a season-long loan from SC Internacional in his homeland.
Left-back Siaka Tiéné has joined Paris Saint-Germain FC on a three-year contract from Valenciennes FC. The 28-year-old, who moves for an undisclosed fee, is reunited with coach Antoine Kombouaré having worked with the PSG trainer at his former club.
Three years after leaving PSG, Czech international defender David Rozehnal is back in France with LOSC Lille Métropole. The 30-year-old joins from Hamburger SV, linking up with former PSG team-mates Mickaël Landreau and Pierre-Alan Frau.
FC Metalist Kharkiv have brought in their second goalkeeper of the transfer window, signing Vladimir Dišljenković from FC Metalurh Donetsk on a three-year deal. The arrival of the 29-year-old former FK Crvena Zvezda player follows that of FC Tavriya Simferopol custodian Maxym Startsev earlier this summer.
Juventus have made two loan signings, bringing in France Under-21 left-back Armand Traoré from Arsenal FC for a €500,000 fee and SSC Napoli centre-back Leandro Rinaudo. The 20-year-old Traoré, who joined Arsenal from AS Monaco FC in 2006, has appeared 40 times for the Gunners and in 2008/09 had a spell on loan at Portsmouth FC. As for Rinaudo, 27, the Bianconeri have the option to make the deal permanent next summer for €5m.
Making room at Juve is Italian international Mauro Camoranesi, who has joined VfB Stuttgart. The midfielder, 33, leaves after eight years in Turin and has signed a 12-month contract with the option for another season. Stuttgart have also added 22-year-old Guinea midfielder Mamadou Bah for an undisclosed fee from RC Strasbourg on a contract until 2013.
Liverpool FC have signed England left-back Paul Konchesky from last season's UEFA Europa League finalists Fulham FC and young prospects Suso and Ádám Hajdú. Konchesky, 29, has signed a four-year contract with Finnish youth international striker Lauri Della Valle and Swedish midfielder Alex Kacaniklic, both 19, joining Fulham in exchange. Spain Under-17 striker Suso, 16, joins from FC Cadiz after a trial with Liverpool reserves while Hungarian youth midfielder Hajdú, 17, has been loaned by MTK Budapest until June 2011 – both subject to international clearance.
BSC Young Boys have added versatile defender Alain Nef to their ranks on loan from Udinese Calcio. The 28-year-old, capped three times by Switzerland, spent last season with US Triestina Calcio and before moving to Piacenza Calcio in 2006 helped FC Zürich to the Swiss title. Young Boys coach Vladimir Petković said: "He is just the kind of player we were looking for. We have a lot of matches and Alain Nef will help us deal with the tough schedule ahead."
Midfielder Antonio da Silva has arrived at BV Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer from Karlsruher SC, signing a one-year deal. The 32-year-old Brazilian has been training at the Westfalenstadion since the beginning of July and worked with coach Jürgen Klopp during his time in charge of FSV Mainz 05 between 2003 and 2006. "Toni has impressed us during pre-season," said Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc. "He is a good addition for our midfield."
Rosenborg BK have allowed centre-back Kris Stadsgaard to join Málaga CF, Swedish defender Mattias Bjärsmyr coming in as the replacement after signing on a season-long loan from Panathinaikos FC. Forward Michael Jamtfall returns from a loan spell at Ranheim Fotball while midfielder Bakary Saré comes in from RSC Anderlecht until the end of the year.
NK Dinamo Zagreb have further bolstered their attacking options by bringing in Montenegrin international Fatos Bećiraj from FK Budućnost Podgorica. The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract and becomes the third new face at Dinamo over the last week, following Portugese defender Tonel and forward Jakub Sylvestr.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has joined SK Rapid Wien on a two-year contract. "This striker has shown in the past that he is a top international goalscorer and now he wants to prove that again at Rapid," said the club's sporting director Alfred Hörtnagl.
OB Odense's search for a defender bore just as the window closed with the return of Jonas Troest, who returns from Konyaspor on a contract until the end of 2011. The 25-year-old right-back and central defender left OB for Turkey in January having previously joined from Hannover 96 in 2007. "I am glad to be back, where I feel at home," the former Danish Under-21 international said.