Final touches for cup contenders

Middlesbrough FC

Meanwhile, Sporting have taken Brazilian winger Wender on a three-year deal from SC Braga. After starting his career at Valadares in Brazil, Wender transferred to Portuguese outfit Associação Naval 1º de Maio in 1999/00, scoring 31 goals in 92 appearances. In 2002/03 he switched to Braga, registering another 23 goals in 91 games. Wender said: "This is a dream for me, as I will play for a great European club. I am very happy."

Portugal midfielder João Alves has also arrived at Sporting, signing a three-year contract. The 25-year-old former SC Braga player said: "This transfer is a dream come true for me. I can promise a lot of effort and I intend to adapt very quickly to my new team."

The 19-year-old Swiss international Reto Ziegler has left English Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur FC for a loan spell at Germany's Hamburger SV. The left-sided midfielder has agreed a 12-month deal with the former European champions.

Wisla Kraków have sold Polish international striker Tomasz Frankowski to Spanish second division side Elche CF. The 31-year-old joined Wisla in 1998 and was the club's longest-serving player. He scored 115 league goals in seven years, topping the Ekstraklasa charts three times. Wisla have moved quickly to sign a replacement, bringing in Pawel Kryszalowicz, also 31, from league leaders Amica Sport. The club have also sold 22-year-old Nigerian winger Kalu Uche to UD Almería of Spain for an undisclosed fee.

Czech international midfielder Marek Heinz has left VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach to move to Turkish giants Galatasaray SK on a three-year deal. Heinz had been with Mönchengladbach since summer 2004, scoring one goal in 23 Bundesliga outings. The 28-year-old will join his new club on 7 September after the latest round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Last season's UEFA Cup semi-finalists AZ Alkmaar have landed Icelandic international Grétar Steinsson from BSC Young Boys on a three-year contract with an option for two more seasons. Steinsson is seen as a natural successor to right-back Jan Kromkamp, who departed for Villarreal CF, although the 23-year-old can also play in central defence. Steinsson said: "Alkmaar surprised the whole of Europe with their attacking game last season, and it will be special to work under a world-class coach like Louis van Gaal."

German Bundesliga outfit Hertha BSC Berlin have recruited Serbia and Montenegro striker Marko Pantelic from FK Crvena Zvezda on a season's loan. The 26-year-old is expected to form a new strike pairing with Hertha's German Under-21 international Nando Rafael. Top scorer in his homeland last year, Pantelic has three national-team caps. "His qualities will help a lot with our attacking play," said general manager Dieter Hoeness.

Another Bundesliga side, 1. FSV Mainz 05, have taken Brazilian forward Romulo Marcos Antoneli 'Romulo' on loan from Ituano FC until summer 2006. The 23-year-old should boost Mainz's attacking options with Jürgen Klopp's team goalless and pointless after three league matches.

Romania midfielder Florin Soava has joined FC Krylya Sovetov Samara on loan from FC Spartak Moskva until the season's end. The 27-year-old has made just seven substitute appearances this term after the arrival of Radoslav Kovac, having been a regular last season.

FC Chornomorets Odesa and Ukraine striker Olexander Kosyrin has inked a three-year deal with FC Metalurh Donetsk. The 28-year-old has cost a reported €3.3m. Ukrainian Premier League top scorer in 2004/05, Kosyrin has scored seven goals in seven games this season.

AS Roma have signed Greek goalkeeper Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos on a free transfer from AC Milan. The 29-year-old had joined the Rossoneri in the close season from FC Messina Peloro but was judged surplus to requirements at the San Siro after Australian Zeljko Kalac was brought in as cover for Dida.

Arriving today at Belgian Cup winners KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen are Marc Hendrikx and Pius N'diefi. The 31-year-old defender cum midfielder Hendrikx joins from KSC Lokeren OV on a three-year contract. Hendrikx has been capped 15 times by Belgium. Meanwhile, Cameroon forward N'diefi, 30, has penned a one-year deal with the option of another 12 months.

English European debutants Bolton Wanderers FC have snapped up winger Fabrice Fernandes on a 12-month contract after the 25-year-old Frenchman was released by relegated Southampton FC.

Bulgarian side PFC Levski Sofia have signed midfielder Cédric Bardon on a one-year deal with a 12-month extension option. The 28-year-old was a free agent having been released by French second division club Le Havre AC.