Transfers and Rumours Thread

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Schwarzer moving to Fulham

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 15,00.html

SOCCEROOS goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was hopeful there'd be no ill-feeling at Middlesbrough after he ended an 11-year stint at the English Premiershit club to join rivals Fulham.

The move ended months of speculation about the future of the 35-year-old, who was due to become a free agent next month after 367 games at the Riverside.

"I have signed with Fulham for two years," Schwarzer announced after joining his Australian team-mates in Sydney, ahead of the international friendly with Ghana at the Sydney Football Stadium.

"I was very confident something would be sorted out. I had a few other options but felt this was the best one for me.

"I haven't really had the chance to let it sink in yet."

Schwarzer is set to play against a Ghana side missing star Michael Essien, who was involved in Chelsea's penalty shootout loss to Manchester United in the Champions League final.

The Black Stars will also be without flamboyant Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari, after he was advised not to travel so soon after being involved in the FA Cup final win over Cardiff last weekend.

"Obviously it's a long trip ... but I feel fine. I trained this morning. I'm almost 100 per cent," said Schwarzer.

The custodian said he'd "half made up my mind made up a while ago", feeling the timing was right to leave Middlesbrough.

A call from Fulham goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly helped twist his arm a bit further.

"The goalkeeping coach who is there was my very first goalkeeping coach in England ... who took me to Middlesbrough at the time," Schwarzer said.

"He was in contact with me and was very enthusiastic about me coming to the club.

The London club only narrowly escaped relegation with a last-day win away at Portsmouth earlier this month, while Middlesbrough finished four places higher in 13th.

He had been linked with moves to German giants Bayern Munich, a possible switch to Italy and Boro also offered a new contract.

"I don't think anyone can really say anything negative about my stay at Middlesbrough," he said.

"I was very, very loyal to the club and I fulfilled the contract that I had with them so there's nothing more really to talk about.

"I don't really want to speak about this at this moment in time. I'd like to speak about the game and concentrate on the game for us. After the game on Friday night ... we can talk more about my future, no problems," he said.

The veteran was originally due to arrive from England last Monday but his trip was delayed so he could continue contract negotiations.

He was relieved to have his future sorted out before the four crucial World Cup qualifiers next month but admitted he would have loved the deal to have been done even sooner so he could have been in camp with the Socceroos all week.

"I felt that it was important to sort it out sooner rather than later so it didn't affect any preparations for the qualifiers, obviously," he said.

And a day after Verbeek announced the Ghana game was striker Joel Griffiths' chance to prove himself ahead of "Super June", the A-League player of the year said he was ready to take his opportunity.

"(Verbeek's) given me a chance and I've just got to try and take it with both hands. It's a big occasion and I'm looking forward to it," Griffiths said.
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I guess he aint comin to you guys as a backup. maybe a better move for him aswell. more matchtime @ fulham.

[RomaShield27]

Juventus must pay £16m for Liverfekkin'wankscum midfielder Alonso
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football – Last updated at 8:47 PM on 21st May 2008

Liverfekkin'wankscum placed a £16million price tag on Xabi Alonso yesterday after receiving an approach from Juventus for the Spain midfielder. Juventus director Jean-Claude Blanc travelled to Merseyside on Tuesday and met manager Rafa Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry to discuss Alonso's availability.

Though talks ended without a bid being lodged, Liverfekkin'wankscum indicated a deal could be struck but made it clear they believe Alonso's value has risen since they paid Real Sociedad £10.5m for him four years ago.

Juventus are considering other candidates to bolster their midfield but are expected to return with an offer that could signal the end of the popular 26-year old's Anfield reign and clear the way for a renewed attempt to prise Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

With Barry likely to cost at least £10m, and another £9m earmarked for Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena, Benitez needs to generate as much as he can to land his top transfer targets.

Tottenham and Juventus have been linked with Dossena, who has one full cap for Italy, but Liverfekkin'wankscum appear to be in pole position for the 26-year old after opening negotiations recently with Udinese sporting director Pietro Leonardi.

The arrival of Dossena, soon after Philipp Degen's free transfer from Borussia Dortmund, would hasten the departure of John Arne Riise, as well as Steve Finnan, Jermaine Pennant, Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson wants to take Finnan back to Craven Cottage but may have his work cut out persuading him to swap a Champions' League campaign for a likely struggle to stay in the Barclays Premiershit.

Fulham are also scouring the market for a centre-half, defensive midfielder, left winger and striker to possibly replace Brian McBride and are thought to be pursuing Kewell as well as Finnan.

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Arne Riise, as well as Steve Finnan, Jermaine Pennant, Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch... WILL LEAVE

but i'm finding it hard to understand why we need to sell xabi...

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anotha garcia? i liked the original one. rafa should neva have gotten rid of him.

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i dont know what to believe... behrami.. garcia.. all the media speculative BS isnt worth reading anymore

[Zoff82]

Il primo acquisto ufficiale della Juventus per la stagione 2008/2009 arriva dalla Svezia e si chiama Albin Ekdal; il quasi 18enne (li compirà il prossimo luglio) centrocampista offensivo del Brommapojkarna ha firmato un contratto quadriennale ed è costato al club torinese 600 mila euro.

Ekdal è un giocatore dal fisico imponente, un metro e ottantasei centimetri per settantacinque chili, ma dai piedi buoni, qualità importante per chi gioca nel ruolo di trequartista.

Il giocatore svedese, titolare della Nazionale Under19, è ovviamente raggiante... "Sono molto contento e orgoglioso di poter vestire la maglia della Juventus - ha dichiarato Ekdal, come riporta il sito ufficiale bianconero Juventus.it - Avrò la possibilità di giocare ed allenarmi con molti campioni e non vedo l'ora di poter iniziare a farlo".

Felice del nuovo acquisto anche il direttore sportivo bianconero, Alessio Secco: "Albin è un giocatore giovane e molto promettente. Il suo acquisto si inserisce nel progetto della Juventus di promozione dei giovani. Sarà sicuramente un giocatore importante che contribuirà a costruire il futuro della Juventus".

Goal.com


PS, anybody know if Juve still own Bojinov?? WTF happened to him??

[Zoff82]

Oh my goodness. I just had a brain fart and looked it up. Juve seriously exchanged Boji for Mutu. Must've been Secco for sure.

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