☆ Barclays Premier League Season 2014-15 ☆

[Dzeko]

All the Premier League transfers - Ins & Outs, summer 2014

Sep 2, 2014 02:00:00

The transfer window slammed shut on Monday night with a new record high for top-flight clubs' spending of over £800 million.

ARSENAL

In: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona, £31.8m), Calum Chambers (Southampton, £16m), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United , £16m), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle, £8m), David Ospina (Nice, £3.5m), Elias Chatzitheodoridis (Mas Kallitheakos, Undisclosed), Hugo Keto (HJK Helsinki, Undisclosed), Ben Sheaf (West Ham, Undisclosed).

Out: Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona, £15m), Johan Djourou (Hamburg, £2.5m), Thomas Eisfeld (Fulham, Undisclosed), Ignasi Miquel (Norwich City, Undisclosed) Zak Ansah (Charlton Athletic), Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea City), Zachari Fagan (Welling United), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Chuks Aneke (Zulte Waregem), Nicklas Bendtner (Wolfsburg), Leander Siemann (Porto B), Wellington Silva (Almeria, Loan), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham United, Loan), Benik Afobe (MK Dons, Loan), Ryo Miyaichi (FC Twente, Loan) Jon Toral (Brentford).

Released: Daniel Boateng, Park Chu-Young.

ASTON VILLA

In: Carlos Sanchez (Elche, Undisclosed), Joe Cole (West Ham), Aly Cissokho (Valencia, Undisclosed), Tom Leggett, Isaac Nehemie (Both Southampton, Undisclosed), Philippe Senderos (Valencia), Kieran Richardson (Fulham).

Out: Jordan Bowery (Rotherham United, £250,000), Samir Carruthers (MK Dons, Undisclosed), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord, Undisclosed), Marc Albrighton (Leicester City), Nathan Delfouneso (Blackpool), Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg, Loan), Yacouba Sylla (Erciyesspor, Loan), Jed Steer (Doncaster Rovers, Loan), Antonio Luna (Verona, Loan), Daniel Johnson (Chesterfield, Loan), Aleksander Tonev (Celtic, Loan), Janoi Donacien (Tranmere, Loan), Joe Bennett (Brighton, Loan).

Released: Aidan Grant, Andras Stieber.

BURNLEY

In: Lukas Jutkiewicz (Middlesbrough, £1.5m), Marvin Sordell (Bolton, Undisclosed), Michael Kightly (Stoke City, Undisclosed), Stephen Ward (Wolves, Undisclosed), George Boyd (Hull City, Undisclosed), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Steven Reid (West Brom), Matt Taylor (West Ham), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea, Loan), Michael Keane (Manchester United, Loan).

Out: David Edgar (Birmingham City), Joseph Mills (Oldham), Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth), Chris Baird (West Brom), Luke O'Neill (Scunthorpe United, Loan).

Released: Kyle Brownhill, Alex Coleman, Luke Conlan, Jack Errington, Micah Evans, Luke Gallagher, Nick Liversedge, Archie Love, Brian Stock, Keith Treacy.

CHELSEA

In: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid, £35m), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona, £30m), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid, £15.8m), Loic Remy (QPR, £8.5m), Mario Pasalic (Hajduk Split, £2.4m), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray).

Out: David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain, £50m), Romelu Lukaku (Everton, £28m), Demba Ba (Besiktas, £4.7m), Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland, Undisclosed), Ashley Cole (Roma), Sam Hutchinson (Sheffield Wednesday), Frank Lampard (New York City FC), George Cole, Daniel Pappoe (Both Brighton & Hove Albion), Billy Clifford (Walsall), Tomas Kalas (Cologne, Loan), Wallace (Vitesse Arnhem, Loan), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Loan), Bertrand Traore (Vitesse Arnhem, Loan), Cristian Cuevas (Club Universidad de Chile, Loan), Mario Pasalic (Elche, Loan), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton, Loan), Gael Kakuta (Rayo Vallecano, Loan), John Swift (Rotherham, Loan), Oriol Romeu (Stuttgart, Loan), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, Loan), Christian Atsu (Everton, Loan), Marko Marin (Fiorentina, Loan), Josh McEachran (Vitesse Arnhem, Loan), Victor Moses (Stoke, Loan), Fernando Torres, Marco van Ginkel (both AC Milan, Loan), Nathaniel Chalobah (Burnley, Loan).

Released: Samuel Eto'o, Henrique Hilario, Milan Lalkovic, Adam Nditi, Jhon Pirez.

CRYSTAL PALACE

In: Martin Kelly (Liverpool, £1.5m), Fraizer Campbell (Cardiff City, £900,000), James McArthur (Wigan, Undisclosed), Zeki Fryers (Tottenham, Undisclosed), Chris Kettings (Blackpool), Brede Hangeland (Fulham), Kevin Doyle (Wolves, Loan), Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United, Loan).

Out: Jose Campana (Sampdoria, £1.4m), Neil Alexander, Osman Sow (Both Hearts), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Cardiff City), Dean Moxey (Bolton Wanderers), Aaron Wilbraham (Bristol City), Jonathan Parr (Ipswich Town), Ross Fitzsimons (Bolton Wanderers), Alex Wynter (Portsmouth, Loan), Kwesi Appiah (Cambridge United, Loan), Jack Hunt (Nottingham Forest, Loan), Stephen Dobbie (Fleetwood Town, Loan), Glenn Murray (Reading, Loan).

Released: Danny Gabbidon, Ibra Sekajja, Quade Taylor, Derek Tieku, Tom King, Alistair Gordon.

EVERTON

In: Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea, £28m), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros, £4m), Gareth Barry (Manchester City, £1m), Brendon Galloway (MK Dons, Undisclosed), Samuel Eto'o (Chelsea), Christian Atsu (Chelsea, Loan).

Out: Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers, £1.5m), Magaye Gueye (Millwall), John Lundstram (Blackpool, Loan), Matthew Kennedy (Hibernian, Loan).

Released: Mason Springthorpe, Ibou Touray, Apostolos Vellios.

HULL CITY

In: Abel Hernandez (Palermo, £9.5m), Jake Livermore (Tottenham, £8m), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City, £7m), Andrew Robertson (Dundee United, £2.85m), Michael Dawson (Tottenham, Undisclosed), Mohamed Diame (West Ham, Undisclosed), Tom Ince (Blackpool, Compensation to be agreed), Karim Rossi (Stoke City), Gaston Ramirez (Southampton, Loan), Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle, Loan).

Out: Shane Long (Southampton, £12m), George Boyd (Burnley, Undisclosed), Matty Fryatt (Nottingham Forest), Paul McElroy (Sheffield Wednesday), Conor Henderson (Crawley Town), Cameron Stewart (Ipswich Town), Jack Barlow (Boston United), Robert Koren (Melbourne City), Mark Oxley (Hibernian, Loan), Conor Townsend (Dundee United, Loan), Joe Dudgeon (Barnsley, Loan).

Released: Abdoulaye Faye, Paul Dudgeon.

LEICESTER CITY

In: Leonardo Ulloa (Brighton, £8m), Danny Simpson (QPR, Undisclosed), Tom Lawrence (Manchester United, Undisclosed), Matthew Upson (Brighton), Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Jack Barmby, Louis Rowley (Both Manchester United), Ben Hamer (Charlton), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter), Kris Scott (Swansea), Nick Powell (Manchester United, Loan).

Out: Lloyd Dyer (Watford), George Taft (Burton Albion), Zak Whitbread (Derby County), Neil Danns (Bolton Wanderers), Ben Frempah (Ross County), Paul Gallagher (Preston North End, Loan), Conrad Logan (Rochdale, Loan).

Released: Sean St Ledger, Kieran Kennedy, Ryan Watson, Adam Dawson, Jak McCourt, Marcel Barrington, Jacob Blyth, Michael Cain, Harry Panayiotou, James Pearson, Alie Sesay, Adam Smith.

LIVERPOOL

In: Alberto Moreno (Sevilla, £12m), Adam Lallana (Southampton, £25m), Dejan Lovren (Southampton, £20m), Lazar Markovic (Benfica, £19.8m), Divock Origi (Lille, undisclosed), Emre Can (Bayer Leverkusen, £10m), Rickie Lambert (Southampton, undisclosed), Mario Balotelli (AC Milan, £16m), Lawrence Vigouroux, Kevin Stewart (Both Tottenham Hotspur), Javier Manquillo (Atletico Madrid, Loan).

Out: Luis Suarez (Barcelona, £70m), Daniel Agger (Brondby, £3m), Martin Kelly (Crystal Palace, £1.5m), Conor Coady (Huddersfield Town, £375,000), Pepe Reina (Bayern Munich, Undisclosed), Jack Robinson (QPR, Undisclosed), Villyan Bijev (Slavia Sofia), Jakub Sokolik (Yeovil Town), Michael Ngoo (Kilmarnock), Luis Alberto (Malaga, Loan), Iago Aspas (Sevilla, Loan), Andre Wisdom (West Brom, Loan), Brad Smith (Swindon Town, Loan), Tiago Ilori (Bordeaux, Loan), Divock Origi (Lille, Loan), Joao Carlos Teixeira (Brighton, Loan), Oussama Assaidi (Stoke City, Loan), Jordan Ibe (Derby County, Loan), Sebastian Coates (Sunderland, Loan).

Released: Yalany Baio, Yusuf Mersin, Michael Ngoo, Craig Roddan, Stephen Sama.

MANCHESTER CITY

In: Eliaquim Mangala (Porto, £31.8m), Fernando (Porto, £12m), Willy Caballero (Malaga, £6.5m), Bruno Zuculini (Racing Club, Undisclosed), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Frank Lampard (New York City, Loan).

Out: Javi Garcia (Zenit St Petersburg, £12m), Jack Rodwell (Sunderland, £10m), Gareth Barry (Everton, £1m), Emyr Huws (Wigan, Undisclosed), Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland), Joleon Lescott (West Brom), Alex Henshall (Ipswich Town), Ellis Plummer (St Mirren), Reece Wabara (Doncaster Rovers), Marcos Lopes (Lille, Loan), Greg Leigh (Crewe Alexandra, Loan), Jason Denayer (Celtic, Loan), Devante Cole (Barnsley, Loan), Bruno Zuculini, Alvaro Negredo (both Valencia, Loan), Micah Richards (Fiorentina, Loan).

Released: Thomas Agyiri, Kieran Kennedy, Joleon Lescott, George Swan, Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely.

MANCHESTER UNITED

In: Daley Blind (Ajax, £14m), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid, £59.7m), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon, £16m), Luke Shaw (Southampton, £30m), Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao, £28m), Vanja Milinkovic (Vojvodina, Undisclosed), Radamel Falcao (Monaco, Loan).

Out: Danny Welbeck (Arsenal, £16m), Alexander Buttner (Dynamo Moscow, £4.4m), Patrice Evra (Juventus, £1.5m), Bebe (Benfica, £2.3m), Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund, Undisclosed), Tom Lawrence (Leicester City, Undisclosed), Jack Barmby (Leicester City), Feredrico Macheda (Cardiff City), Nemanja Vidic (Inter), Louis Rowley (Leicester City), Rio Ferdinand (QPR), Charni Ekangamene (Zulte Waregem), Vanja Milinkovic (FK Vojvodina, Loan), Angelo Henriquez (Dynamo Zagreb, Loan), Nani (Sporting Lisbon, Loan), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, Loan), Javier Hernandez (Real Madrid, Loan), Michael Keane (Burnley, Loan), Nick Powell (Leicester City, Loan).

Released: Sam Byrne, Ryan Giggs, Jack Rudge.

NEWCASTLE

In: Remy Cabella (Montpellier, £12m), Karl Darlow, Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest, £6m combined), Emmanuel Riviere (Monaco, £6.3m), Siem de Jong (Ajax, £6m), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord, Undisclosed), Ayoze Perez (Tenerife, £1.5m), Jack Colback (Sunderland), Facundo Ferreyra (Shakhtar Donetsk, Loan).

Out: Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal, £12m), James Tavernier (Wigan, £900,000), Dan Gosling (Bournemouth), Jonathan Mitchell (Derby County), Conor Newton (Rotherham), Romain Amalfitano (Dijon), Shola Ameobi (Gaziantep), Steven Logan (Annan Athletic), Adam Campbell (Fleetwood Town, Loan), Sylvain Marveaux (Guingcamp, Loan), Karl Darlow, Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest, Loans), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Roma, Loan), Hatem Ben Arfa (Hull City, Loan).

Released: Brandon Miele, Jonathan Mitchell, Michael Richardson.

QPR

In: Steven Caulker (Cardiff City, £8m), Leroy Fer (Norwich City, £7m), Jordon Mutch (Cardiff City, Undisclosed), Sandro (Tottenham, Undisclosed), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Mauricio Isla (Juventus, Loan), Eduardo Vargas (Napoli, Loan), Niko Kranjcar (Dynamo Kiev, Loan).

Out: Loic Remy (Chelsea, £8.5m), Yossi Benayoun (Maccabi Haifa, Undisclosed), Esteban Granero (Real Sociedad, Undisclosed), Danny Simpson (Leicester City, Undisclosed), Julio Cesar (Benfica), Tom Hitchcock (MK Dons), Aaron Hughes (Brighton), Mo Shariff (Bradford City), Gary O'Neil (Norwich City), Joe Lumley (Accrington Stanley, Loan).

Released: Angelo Balanta, Hogan Ephraim, Andrew Johnson, Stephane Mbia.

SOUTHAMPTON

In: Shane Long (Hull City, £12m), Dusan Tadic (Twente, £10.9m), Fraser Forster (Celtic, £10m), Sadio Mane (Red Bull Salzburg, £10m), Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord, £9m), Florin Gardos (Steaua Bucharest, £6m), Saphir Taider (Inter, Loan), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea, Loan), Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid, Loan).

Out: Luke Shaw (Manchester United, £30m), Adam Lallana (Liverpool, £25m), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool, £20m), Calum Chambers (Arsenal, £16m), Rickie Lambert (Liverpool, £4m), Billy Sharp (Leeds United, £600,000), Tom Leggett, Isaac Nehemie (Both Aston Villa, Undisclosed), Saphir Taider (Inter, loan cancelled), Danny Fox (Nottingham Forest), Andy Robinson (Bolton), Lee Barnard (Southend United), Matt Young (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Forte (Oldham Athletic), Dani Osvaldo (Inter, Loan), Jordan Turnbull (Swindon Town, Loan), Gaston Ramirez (Hull City, Loan), Jos Hooiveld (Norwich City, Loan).

Released: Lee Barnard, Joe Curtis, Guly Do Prado, Andreas Sony.

STOKE CITY

In: Bojan Krkic (Barcelona, undisclosed), Dionatan Teixeira (Banska Bystrica, Undisclosed), Mame Biram Diouf (Hannover 96), Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Steve Sidwell (Fulham), Victor Moses (Chelsea, Loan), Oussama Assaidi (Liverpool, Loan).

Out: Cameron Jerome (Norwich City, £1.5m), Michael Kightly (Burnley, Undisclosed), Jordan Keane (Alfreton Town), Ed Sanders (Sheffield Wednesday), Karim Rossi (Hull City), Kevin Gomez-Nieto (Helmond), James Alabi (Accrington Stanley, Loan), Jamie Ness (Crewe Alexandra, Loan).

Released: Juan Agudelo, Lucas Dawson, Matthew Etherington, Ben Heneghan, Jordan Richardson.

SUNDERLAND

In: Jack Rodwell (Manchester City, £10m), Will Buckley (Brighton, £2.5m), Patrick van Aanholt (Chelsea, Undisclosed), Jordi Gomez (Wigan Athletic), Billy Jones (West Brom), Costel Pantilimon (Manchester City), Santiago Vergini (Estudiantes, Loan), Sebastian Coates (Liverpool, Loan), Ricky Alvarez (Inter, Loan).

Out: Ignacio Scocco (Newell's Old Boys, £2.1m), Carlos Cuellar (Norwich), Phil Bardsley (Stoke City), Jack Colback (Newcastle), Craig Gardner (West Brom), Billy Knott (Bradford City), John Egan (Gillingham), Kieren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Louis Laing (Nottingham Forest), Reece Noble (Durham City), Oscar Ustari (Newell's Old Boys), David Vaughan (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Pickford (Bradford City, Loan), Scott Harrison (Hartlepool United), Valentin Roberge (Stade de Reims, Loan).

Released: Carlos Cuellar, Andrea Dossena, Jordan Laidler, Alejandro Rodriguez Gorrin, Jordan Watson, Mobido Diakite.

SWANSEA CITY

In: Federico Fernandez (Napoli, £7m), Jefferson Montero (Morelia, £4m), Marvin Emnes (Middlesbrough, £1.5m), Moudo Barrow (Ostersunds, Undisclosed), Stephen Kingsley (Falkirk, Undisclosed), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Tottenham, Swap), Adrian Maric (GAIN, Undisclosed), Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal), Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon), James Demetriou (Nottingham Forest), Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Tottenham).

Out: Ben Davies (Tottenham, £8m plus swap), Michel Vorm (Tottenham, £4.5m), Gwion Edwards (Crawley Town, £700,000), Chico Flores (Lekhwiya, Undisclosed), Alejandro Pozuelo (Rayo Vallecano, Undisclosed), Thomas Atyeo (Aberystwyth Town), Jose Canas (Espanyol), Kris Scott (Leicester City), Leroy Lita (Barnsley), Daniel Alfei (Northampton Town, Loan), Michu (Napoli, Loan).

Released: Leroy Lita, Jernade Meade, David Ngog, Darnel Situ.

TOTTENHAM

In: Ben Davies (Swansea City, £8m plus swap), Federico Fazio (Sevilla, £8m), Michel Vorm (Swansea, £4.5m), Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon, £4m), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders, £2m), Benjamin Stambouli (Montpellier, Undisclosed).

Out: Jake Livermore (Hull City, £8m), Iago Falque (Genoa, £4m), Heurelho Gomes (Watford), Lawrence Vigouroux, Kevin Stewart (Both Liverpool), Darren McQueen (Ipswich Town), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea City, Swap), Michael Dawson (Hull City, Undisclosed), Sandro (QPR, Undisclosed), Zeki Fryers (Crystal Palace, Loan), Grant Hall (Birmingham City, Loan), Alex Pritchard (Brentford, Loan), Kenny McEvoy (Peterborough United, Loan), Shaquile Coulthirst (Southend United, Loan), Jordan Archer (Northampton Town, Loan), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders, Loan), Lewis Holtby (Hamburg, Loan).

Released: Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Cameron Lancaster, Roman Michael-Percil, Jonathan Miles.

WEST BROM

In: Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev, £10m), Sebastien Pocognoli (Hannover 96, £1.5m), Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo, Undisclosed), Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg, Undisclosed), Sebastian Blanco (Metalist Kharkiv, Undisclosed), Georgios Samaras (Celtic), Craig Gardner (Sunderland), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Chris Baird (Burnley), Andre Wisdom (Liverpool, Loan), Silvestre Varela (Porto, Loan).

Out: George Thorne (Derby County, £2m), Billy Jones (Sunderland), Liam Ridgewell (Portland Timbers), Steven Reid (Burnley), Cameron Gayle (Shrewsbury Town), Donervon Daniels (Blackpool, Loan).

Released: Scott Allan, Zoltan Gera, Diego Lugano.

WEST HAM

In: Enner Valencia (Pachuca, £12m), Aaron Cresswell (Ipswich Town, £3.75m), Cheikhou Kouyate (Anderlecht, Undisclosed), Mauro Zarate (Velez Sarsfield, Undisclosed), Diafra Sakho (FC Metz, Undisclosed), Diego Poyet (Charlton, Compensation), Morgan Amalfitano (Marseille), Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal, Loan), Alex Song (Barcelona, Loan).

Out: Ben Sheaf (Arsenal, Undisclosed), Mohamed Diame (Hull City, Undisclosed), Joe Cole (Aston Villa), Matt Taylor (Burnley), Stephen Henderson (Charlton), Robert Girdlestone (Chelmsford City), Charlie Wyke (MK Dons), Raphael Spiegel (Crawley Town, Loan), George Moncur (Colchester United, Loan).

Released: Jack Collison, Alou Diarra, Callum Driver, George McCartney, Jordan Spence.

 

[Ramsey]

Blind to wear No.17 for Manchester United

Sep 2, 2014 12:31:00

The versatile Netherlands international inherits the shirt number last worn by Nani, who has left Old Trafford for a season-long loan deal with Sporting

New Manchester United signing Daley Blind will wear the No.17 shirt at Old Trafford.

The former Ajax defender, signed for €17.5 million on transfer deadline day, inherits the jersey from Portuguese winger Nani, who has joined Sporting Lisbon on loan for the 2014-15 campaign.

#mufc's other deadline-day signing, @BlindDaley, takes the no.17 shirt at Old Trafford. #DaleyJoins pic.twitter.com/ElwW6YfluA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2014

Blind could make his United debut against QPR on September 14 after joining up with the Netherlands squad for their upcoming fixtures against Italy and the Czech Republic.

The versatile 24-year-old, who can play at left-back or in midfield, is the son of Ajax legend Danny Blind and was named his country's Footballer of the Year last season as the Amsterdam club claimed a 33rd championship.

 

[Ramsey]

From Ajax reject to the Manchester United midfield: Daley Blind's incredible journey

Sep 1, 2014 20:00:00

COMMENT: The 24-year-old has completed a €17.5 million move from the Eredivisie champions to the Premier League giants and it marks the latest step in an eventful career
By Peter McVitie

"I'm not too sure what position he is going to play in," Manchester United legend Paul Scholes pondered on BT Sport as he discussed the club's new €17.5 million signing Daley Blind.

The former England international isn't alone. There is a great deal of confusion surrounding the Amsterdam-born player and what role he really plays.

Unknown to the world outside of the Netherlands before the World Cup, it was a remarkable diagonal pass from the middle of the park and onto the head of the incoming Robin van Persie that saw him become a worldwide star. His displays as a left wing-back in Louis van Gaal's 5-3-2 in Brazil were excellent, however, they were also very misleading.

His assists for Van Persie and Arjen Robben in the 5-1 win over Spain showed his magnificent passing ability, but Spain's failure to put any pressure on him on that side in both an attacking and a defensive sense meant he had an easy night.

The versatility he showed in his willingness to slot in at centre-back and left-back throughout the tournament is to be commended. However, in each game his weaknesses were well covered for by the system Van Gaal utilised as well as coming up against the likes of Mexico – who surrendered to them as soon as they took the lead – and Costa Rica – who had their first shot 117 minutes into the game.

Despite the World Cup campaign and the first five seasons he played in professional football, Blind's best position is certainly not at left-back or centre-back. He is a natural central midfielder.

Luckily, it seems Van Gaal has come to the conclusion that he cannot use Blind as anything but an anchor man.

"Daley will play in the first team in the centre of midfield. Then it's up to him if he stays there," agent Rob Jansen declared on Saturday, suggesting the coach has told the player he will slot into the starting XI in the centre of the park immediately.

Blind is simply too slow for a left-back and tends to switch off too frequently when it comes to defending. While he was rarely tested in this way during the World Cup, he will come under too much pressure in the Premier League.

As a central midfielder, though, he is much more adept and comfortable and it is here his great awareness and passing ability comes into effect. The speed of the Premier League will be the biggest obstacle for Blind to adapt to. However, with Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera also lining up in midfield, the ideal way for Van Gaal to slot his compatriot into the team will be as a defensive midfielder in a diamond.

While this will stifle the attacking ability of the player who can add a lot to attacks when he presses forward and looks to pick out intelligent passes, it will see him set the tempo of United’s play and allow him to link up with the other talented midfielders.

Blind is no match-winner, game changer or world star, he is a subtle player. An intelligent, smooth and effective one.

As he puts it: "I'm not a player who scores a lot of goals in a season, I'm more of a team player. I can improve the performances of the other players."

That aspect of his game will be crucial as he looks to boost a United team without a win in four competitive matches.

Ronald de Boer warned United fans not to expect an electrifying wold-beater, but insisted it was a great deal for all parties.

"The fans should not think they have won a Ronaldo here," he told Fox Sports. "Daley Blind is a team player who makes others play better. He makes everything look easy, but it's difficult.

"But he is not a player like Di Maria that can just skip past two men and score. He is a team player and they desperately need that."

One thing United fans will find endearing about Blind is his remarkable work rate both on the field and off of it. From the first minute to the last the Netherlands international will give his all and always has done.

But the move to Old Trafford comes as the ultimate reward for his work on a much bigger scale.

Just a few years ago, the idea of him playing in the famous red of the Premier League giants seemed impossible.

There was a time in his career that it appeared he would not have a future at Ajax, let alone someday earning a big money move to Manchester United to work with Van Gaal.

After he emerged into the Ajax first-team at 18-years-old, Martin Jol believed he would never cut it at the prestigious Dutch side. However, Frank de Boer came to his rescue, replacing Jol and slotting Blind into the team, albeit as a left-back.

The club’s fans hated him and felt no shame in relentlessly whistling and jeering him in the Amsterdam ArenA. As far as they were concerned, he had no right to be wearing the famous red and white, even though he is the son of the legendary Danny Blind.

De Boer stuck by him, though, and the player’s belief in himself, the hard work, the paying attention to the lessons of the tactically excellent and knowledgeable De Boer and his father saw Blind develop remarkably well.

In 2013, on the day Ajax were crowned champions for the third straight time, they celebrated on a stage in front of the fans outside the Amsterdam Arena. Amidst the celebrations, the club’s end of season awards were given out and incredibly, it was Blind who was announced as the Ajax player of the year.

That moment, the player who had felt the wrath of his own supporters, felt their embrace. "Daley Blind, who doesn’t know him? Daley Blind, Daley Blind is a real Ajax man," the chants rang out.

A song usually reserved for the likes of De Boer and Johan Cruyff. He was a legend and his status would only increase.

Last season, De Boer pushed him from left-back to the centre of midfield, where he blossomed and became even more of a hero. Without him and Lasse Schone, Ajax may have surrendered their league title to Feyenoord.

It was no surprise, then, that he was voted Eredivisie player of the year at the end of the campaign.

And now he steps even further, having gone from a reject of Martin Jol to a saviour of Ajax and Netherlands, winning four Eredivisie titles and a World Cup bronze medal along the way, before the making the move to Manchester United.

This, though, is just the beginning for Daley Blind as he takes yet another gargantuan leap.

 

[Ramsey]

Official: Arsenal sign Welbeck from Manchester United

By George Ankers
Sep 2, 2014 01:00:00

The England international striker completes a permanent move to the Emirates Stadium for a €20 million fee, the Gunners gazumping rivals Tottenham on deadline day

Arsenal have completed the €20 million signing of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United.

Goal understands that a deal was struck late on Monday night to bring the England international to the Emirates Stadium on a four-year contract, with an option for a fifth.

Welbeck is set to earn around €120,000 per week at Arsenal, who have successfully secured a deal under the noses of north London rivals Tottenham.

Arsene Wenger moved for the 23-year-old after failing in efforts to sign Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao, the latter of whom is set to join United on a season-long loan deal.

The Gunners boss had previously denied that he would move for either Welbeck or Falcao but has since decided to snap up cover up front, with Olivier Giroud set to miss around four months due to a broken tibia.

Spurs had been in advanced talks to sign Welbeck on loan but Goal understands that Arsenal spent much of deadline day persuading United to sanction a permanent exit.

The forward had grown frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities and had requested showdown talks with new manager Louis van Gaal earlier this summer to resolve the issue.

 

[Ramsey]

Blind: Why I joined Manchester United
The 24-year-old, who started every game for Netherlands at the World Cup, admits he is relishing the opportunity to work with Louis van Gaal once again

Official: Miquel joins Norwich from Arsenal
The defender only made five Premier League appearances for the Gunners but helped Leicester City to promotion during a loan spell in 2013-14

Ben Arfa set for Hull move
The France international has not featured for the Magpies this season and rejected a move to Besiktas last week but Steve Bruce's side are set to make an offer

Borini move to QPR stalls as Kranjcar arrives for talks
The Liverpool striker had been of interest to Sunderland earlier in the transfer window, but his wage demands may now see him remain at Anfield after a £10 million fee was agreed

Official: Hull sign Diame from West Ham
The former Wigan Athletic midfielder has signed a three-year deal at the KC Stadium after becoming their second deadline day signing

Official: Crystal Palace sign Fryers
The defender, who made just 16 appearances for Tottenham, becomes Neil Warnock's second signing after Wilfried Zaha and says he is excited to showcase his ability at Selhurst Park

QPR target loan move for Arsenal's Coquelin
Harry Redknapp hopes to seal a loan deal for the midfielder after a deal to sign Lassana Diarra fell through, while Ignasi Miquel looks set for permanent move to Norwich City

Official: Ajax confirm Blind's move to Manchester United
The Netherlands international finalises his €17.5 million switch to Old Trafford on deadline day, with a deal having been agreed between Ajax and the Red Devils on Saturday

Everton in talks with Manchester United over Cleverley loan
Aston Villa and Valencia are also keen on the 25-year-old but the midfielder is holding out for a move to Goodison Park

Official: Sunderland sign Coates from Liverpool on season-long loan
The 23-year-old has been unable to establish himself at Anfield since joining from Nacional but becomes Gus Poyet's eighth recruitment of the transfer window on deadline day

'Falcao is the signing of the summer' - Owen
The former Manchester United striker feels the striker's loan move to Old Trafford is the biggest news but that Louis van Gaal still needs to strengthen in other areas

 

[Ramsey]

Official: Everton sign Henen on loan
The Belgian forward joined Olympiakos from Anderlecht on Monday before immediately completing a season-long move to Goodison Park

Ronaldo: Falcao a fantastic signing for Man Utd
The striker completed a season-long loan move to Old Trafford on Monday and the former club favourite is confident his arrival will provide a boost to the misfiring team

Shevchenko: Balotelli deserves last chance
The former Rossoneri star believes the striker made the right decision to move on and hopes he can redeem himself at Anfield this season

'An opportunity not to be missed' - Van Gaal on signing Falcao for Manchester United
The Colombia international completed a stunning season-long loan move to Old Trafford in the early hours of Tuesday morning, beating the transfer deadline to complete his move

Official: Manchester United duo Lawrence and Powell join Leicester City
The Foxes must wait for Premier League clearance but the young pair look set to add depth to Nigel Pearson's squad as they look to establish themselves in the top flight

Official: Falcao joins Manchester United
The Colombia international, who had been linked with a host of clubs this summer including Real Madrid and Arsenal, will spend the 2014-15 campaign on loan at Old Trafford

Burnley announce Michael Keane loan from Manchester United
The England Under-21 international becomes the third player to move to Turf Moor on transfer deadline day and will remain with the Clarets until January

Official: Hull City sign Ben Arfa on loan
The playmaker has fallen out of favour on Tyneside and becomes the fourth player to move to the KC Stadium on transfer deadline day

Official: West Ham sign Amalfitano from Marseille
The 29-year-old is keen to build on last season's loan at West Brom after securing a permanent switch to Upton Park for an undisclosed fee, the Hammer's ninth summer recruit

Official: Southampton land €12.5m Mane
The 22-year-old Senegal international is reported to have cost Ronald Koeman's side around £10 million and follows Toby Alderweireld to St Mary's Stadium on deadline day

Tottenham offload Obika, Coulibaly & Gomelt
The latter pair have joined Serie B side Bari, with the 23-year-old joining Swindon on a two-year deal as Mauricio Pochettino continues the overhaul of his White Hart Lane squad

Official: Crystal Palace clinch Doyle loan
The 30-year-old joins the Eagles from Wolves and will remain with the club until January, while Glenn Murray has signed for Reading on loan for the same length of time

Official: Southampton loan Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid
The Belgium international, who can play at right-back as well as his more natural centre-back role, replaces Jos Hooiveld in the squad as the Dutchman joins Norwich City

Official: QPR sign Kranjcar on loan
The Croatia international returns to Loftus Road after a successful previous spell at the club in the 2013-14 season, during which he helped the Rs achieve promotion

Official: Hull City sign Ramirez from Southampton on season-long loan
The Uruguay international has failed to sufficiently impress Ronald Koeman at the St. Mary's Stadium and will spend the campaign on Humberside with the Tigers

Official: Stoke sign Assaidi on loan
The Morocco international winger has returned to the Britannia Stadium having impressed during an initial short-term spell at the club during the 2013-14 season

Official: Roma sign Yanga-Mbiwa on season-long loan from Newcastle
The France international defender, who has played all across the back line for the Magpies, goes to Serie A for an initial £1 million fee with an option to buy for £5.5m

 

[Ramsey]

Man Utd lead record Premier League summer spend of over €1 billion

By George Ankers
Sep 2, 2014 07:26:00

Louis van Gaal splashed out a total of €200 million on seven players, including a British-record fee for Angel Di Maria, as 2014 saw a huge increase in clubs' outlays

Deadline day saw the Premier League reach a record €1 billion spend on transfers this summer.

The huge numbers were led by Manchester United, whose huge outlay of €200 million on seven players was the highest single-window spend yet by a British club.

It included a €75m deal to recruit winger Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid, the highest fee ever spent by any British team, and a late loan deal for Monaco's Radamel Falcao.

The Colombia international sealed a sensational switch to Old Trafford after a long summer of intense interest from the likes of Carlo Ancelotti's Champions League winners and Premier League holders Manchester City.

According to analysis from Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, summer spending is up by almost €250m on 2013's total of €796m, which was at the time €164m higher than ever before.

"This summer transfer window is one of records," said Dan Jones, a partner in the Sports Business Group.

"There are a number of factors contributing to this summer's spend, including the showcase for global talent a World Cup provides. However, one of the main drivers of Premier League spending continues to be the increased resources clubs now have as a result of improved broadcast deals.

"Last season the average Premier League club received around €31.6m more in central broadcast distributions than they did in 2012-13, which helped fuel a record transfer window last summer. We are again seeing Premier League clubs use these resources to contribute to what is a new record this summer."

 

[Groove Armada]

Di Maria wanted to join PSG, claims club president Al-Khelaifi

By Mark Doyle
Sep 2, 2014 14:47:00

The Qatari says he turned down the chance to sign the new Manchester United winger because of Real Madrid's asking price, while he has also lashed out at Michel Platini over FFP

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has claimed that Angel Di Maria wanted to move to the Parc des Princes.

The Argentina international joined Manchester United from Real Madrid for a British-record €84 million but explained in an open letter to Blancos fans that his desire had been to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu but that he felt he had been left with no other choice but to depart.

Al-Khelaifi has now alleged that Di Maria's first preference was a transfer to PSG but that the Ligue 1 champions were unwilling to meet the asking price.

"Di Maria wanted to come to Paris but even without FFP (Financial Fair Play), we wouldn't have signed him," he told Le Parisien.

However, while Al-Khelaifi insisted that adhering to Uefa's financial regulations did not put PSG off signing Di Maria, he did launch a bitter attack on the European game's governing body and its president.

"I do not know if Michel Platini wants to kill French football, but FFP is not fair," the Qatari fumed.

"It is very difficult to understand. The big clubs stay big and small clubs remain small.

"We respect the rules but want to discuss it with Uefa in October to try to change the rules a little.

"Otherwise investors will not come in football; they will go to other sports such as Formula 1."

FFP was introduced by Uefa with the stated goal of curbing the allegedly excessive spending of Europe's clubs.

 

[Ramsey]

Mourinho taught me so much at Chelsea - Torres
The Spaniard scored just 12 goals in 44 games under the Special One last season but is adamant the two men enjoyed a productive professional relationship

Tottenham defender Walker undergoes surgery
The 24-year-old has battled an abdominal problem for five months and has not featured at all this season under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, while no return date has been given

Odemwingie confirms knee surgery
The Nigeria international was stretchered off during Stoke City's shock 1-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday and will miss most of the season

Welbeck will benefit from Arsenal switch - Hodgson
The England manager believes a move to the Emirates Stadium will give the 23-year-old more opportunities to progress and stake his international claim

Van Persie blasts 'fantasy' knee surgery claims
The Netherlands striker says reports he could be sidelined for months are totally false and has warned Radamel Falcao he faces a fight for his place

Manchester United agree deal for Ajax's Fosu-Mensah
The Ghanaian 16-year-old was snapped up by the Red Devils on deadline day after impressing at the AEGON Future Cup and will join up with the club's academy squad

Borini happy with Liverpool stay
The Italian is remaining upbeat about his Reds career - even though manager Brendan Rodgers was willing to let him leave during the summer transfer window

Azpilicueta signs new five-year contract with Chelsea
The 25-year-old has made nearly 100 appearances for the club since his arrival from Marseille in August 2012 and has cemented his place at left-back despite Filipe Luis' signing

Falcao signing a show of intent by Manchester United, says Rooney
The Colombia international joined Louis van Gaal's side on loan on deadline day and the England captain believes the striker is one of the best players in the world

Official: Cleverley joins Aston Villa on loan
The midfielder has left Manchester United to sign for the Midlands outfit on a season-long deal after making 31 appearances in all competitions last season

Negredo thanks Manchester City after sealing Valencia move
The Spaniard completed a season-long loan move to the Liga side on transfer deadline day and he has now expressed his gratitude to the Premier League champions

 

[Ramsey]

Manchester United's identity is broken, says Phelan

By James Willoughby
Sep 2, 2014 18:17:00

The former assistant manager believes the club's reputation has been ruined by the sale of a number of youth academy products this summer

Mike Phelan feels part of Manchester United's identity has been "broken" after a frenetic transfer window and the sale of Danny Welbeck.

United splashed a reported €190 million this summer in order to bring the likes of Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao to Old Trafford.

The club's desperate bid to return to the top four has seen several youth products leave, with Welbeck the most notable departure, to Premier League rivals Arsenal.

The England international's sale came after fellow youngsters Tom Lawrence, Nick Powell and Michael Keane all left the club, either on loan or permanently, and former assistant manager Phelan is saddened by the fact that United no longer seem to have any faith in youth.

"They have probably lost the way of Manchester United a little bit," Phelan told the BBC.

"Now, rather than produce, it may be the case where they are buying in.

"Someone like a Danny Welbeck has been part of United's identity and that has been broken. What will happen in the future now, nobody knows but that thread has been broken now.

"There is always the start of something and maybe this is the start of a new way of doing things at Manchester United and maybe that is the way football is going.

"Is it better to look at the instant rather than the future? It is a difficult one because youth is always the future, we all have to start somewhere and you just hope that product of youth can develop in the Premier League."

However, Phelan – who worked under Alex Ferguson during his legendary spell in charge of United – feels that Welbeck will thrive at Arsenal.

"He is still only a young player and with young players you will get peaks and troughs but it is a case of Danny feeling more important in himself than he probably was over the last 12 months," he added.

"He is in a position where he can play where he wants and I think that is why he chose Arsenal because they give him the opportunity to play in his best position, which is a striker.

"A club like Arsenal is a fabulous club, it is a well-run club. From a footballer's point of view, if you want to choose a football club, then Arsenal is right up there with the best."

 

[RubbingWarmPusi]

Arsenal is not that great...I left there so I should know.

 

[Ramsey]

Arsenal is not that great...I left there so I should know.

Definitely doing better than Man Yoo who aren't playing in the CL.

 

[Ramsey]

Van Gaal: If I wanted an easy life I would have joined Tottenham

By Liam Twomey
Sep 3, 2014 07:22:00

The Dutchman is still waiting for his first Premier League victory as Red Devils boss, but insists he has no regrets about turning down Spurs to take the job at Old Trafford

Louis van Gaal believes the Tottenham job would have been easier to take than the one he has inherited at Manchester United.

Van Gaal was heavily linked with succeeding Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane and admitted in June that he had come "very close" to taking the Spurs job before United approached him.

The Dutchman has since endured a difficult start in charge of the Red Devils, picking up just two points from his first three matches against Swansea City, Sunderland and Burnley.

United responded by sanctioning deals worth over €125 million to bring Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind to Old Trafford as Van Gaal attempts to build a squad capable of breaking back into the top four.

But, despite the early problems he has encountered, the former Ajax and Barcelona boss is adamant he has no regrets about turning down Spurs to join United, even though he thinks he has given himself a harder task.

“No, I don’t regret taking this job,” he told reporters. “Yes, it is a massive job I have taken on at Manchester United. I realise that. And the situation is not worse than I thought - I knew what I would find on my plate.

“I could have opted for an easier job. If I had gone to Tottenham, the job would not have been as enormous as here at United.

“I could have easily gone to Spurs. But I chose the biggest challenge of all the jobs in football. And I really wanted to join the number one club in the country, not Tottenham.

“Financially, Tottenham was kind of as attractive as Man United. But, in my eyes, Man United is still the number one club in England, Tottenham really is not.”

 

[RubbingWarmPusi]

We are building in a hurry and accounted for a big percentage of this year's record BPL transfer monies. By Xmas we should be gelling well and are gonna kick butt.

Definitely doing better than Man Yoo who aren't playing in the CL.

 

[RubbingWarmPusi]

Except maybe Chelsea's.

We are building in a hurry and accounted for a big percentage of this year's record BPL transfer monies. By Xmas we should be gelling well and are gonna kick butt.

 

[PerMertesacker]

Welbeck taunts Man Utd: Arsenal a club on the up

By Alex Young
Sep 3, 2014 11:16:00

The striker was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, paving the way for a €20 million exit, and is now keen to move on and win silverware with his new team

Danny Welbeck has taken a parting shot at Manchester United by describing Arsenal as a team on the up.

United are yet to win a competitive game under Louis van Gaal as they look to improve upon last season's seventh-place finish as the Gunners reached the Champions League for a 17th consecutive season.

Arsene Wenger parted with €20 million to bring Welbeck to the Emirates Stadium after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, and the striker is now eyeing silverware at the FA Cup winners.

When asked if Arsenal are a team on the up, Welbeck told the club's official website: "Yeah definitely. They've done well in recent years and last year we got the FA Cup and I feel like it's time where we could really push on and try and challenge for the Premier League title.

"I've got one medal and it's something that I really want to add to."

Welbeck is confident he made the right decision to leave Old Trafford for the Emirates Stadium and is keen to "move on" as he begin the next chapter of his career.

He continued: "I've been at United ever since I was a little boy and I had a great time there.

"I just think this is the next stage of my development - to come to Arsenal, to really show people what I can do as a footballer and hopefully get to the place where I want to be.

"Things move on in life and I think you've really got to make the right decision in the situation that you're in at that moment in time. I really do believe that coming to Arsenal is the right decision."

 

[PerMertesacker]

Man Utd must drop ‘awful’ Rooney, says Paul Parker

Gill Clark
Sep 3, 2014 08:33:00

The former Red Devil feels Robin van Persie and new signing Radamel Falcao should be Louis van Gaal's two forwards this season

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker says Wayne Rooney should be dropped, claiming his performances have been “awful” so far this season.

The England international has just one goal for United tso far this season with the Red Devils yet to win a competitive game, having lost once and drawn twice in the Premier League and been knocked out of the League Cup by MK Dons.

Rooney - named club captain by Van Gaal this summer - will now face competition for his place from new signing Radamel Falcao, who arrived on loan from Monaco on deadline day, and Parker says Rooney does not deserve to start.

“Wayne Rooney has been awful. There he was at Burnley this weekend, supposedly captaining the team - but I saw a player interested only in himself, doing nothing to try and lift his game or inspire his team-mates,” he wrote in his Yahoo! Sport blog.

“The only thing in any way remarkable about his performance is that he collects €375,000 a week to play that badly.

“Once Van Persie is fully-fit again, Rooney must be the person to be dropped from United's new attacking line-up: for me, it'll be RVP and Falcao every time.

“And though there's lots of talk about him playing in the hole behind that front two, I think that'd be a huge mistake - why would you have Rooney there when Juan Mata or Angel Di Maria would do the job so much better?”

Parker also insists that Van Gaal would not be afraid to drop Rooney, despite having made him club captain, following his appointment as manager at Old Trafford.

“That'll leave Van Gaal with a big call to make: dropping Wayne Rooney,” he added.

“He's always shown in his career that he's not afraid of the big decisions; he showed it most recently with his goalkeeper substitution for the shoot-out at the World Cup, and he'll have to show it once again because the way things are looking there will be no place for Rooney in that starting line-up soon.”

 

[Willian]

Remy given Chelsea No.18 shirt

By Harry Sherlock
Sep 3, 2014 16:50:00

The France international completed his move to Stamford Bridge from QPR over the weekend and has been handed the number vacated by Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea have confirmed that Loic Remy will wear the number 18 shirt at Stamford Bridge.

The France international completed his move from QPR to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the Blues agreeing to meet his €10.5 million release clause.

And the club have now announced that Remy will take the shirt vacated by Romelu Lukaku, who joined Everton for €35m earlier this summer.

Remy, who spent last season on loan at Newcastle, scored 14 goals in 26 appearances for the Magpies and looked set to move to Liverpool earlier this summer, only for the deal to fall through over reported injury concerns.

 

[Willian]

Taarabt tipped to become star at QPR

By Peter Hanson
Sep 3, 2014 18:18:00

The Morocco international spent last season away from Loftus Road but has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of the midfielder and become a star this season

Adel Taarabt will emulate Joey Barton and become a QPR star, according to chairman Tony Fernandes.

Taarabt's career at QPR has been mixed and the mercurial forward spent all of last season away from Loftus Road, initially joining Fulham on loan for the first half of the 2013-14 campaign before moving to AC Milan in January.

The Serie A giants were linked with a permanent deal for the Morocco international, but were unwilling to meet Taarabt's reported €7.5 million asking price.

With the transfer window now shut, Taarabt will remain with the London side and Fernandes has backed him to follow in the footsteps of midfielder Barton.

The 32-year-old left the club in acrimonious circumstances to join Marseille on loan in 2012-13, only to return and become a prominent member of the team that achieved promotion back to the Premier League last term.

"Like many people who wrote off Joey - and he was key for us last season - Adel is going to be something special," he told the Evening Standard.

"People have forgotten about him a little bit but he can do extraordinary things. At AC Milan last season he was quite special.

"I think Adel will be a surprise for many this season. He's focused and wants to stay at QPR. He can turn games around in a few minutes, so it's important to have him."

Taarabt has made two appearances for QPR this season, starting against Burton Albion in the League Cup before coming on as a late substitute in the 1-0 win over Sunderland in the Premier League last Saturday

 

[Willian]

Official: Crystal Palace sign Andrew Johnson

Sep 3, 2014 18:46:00

The striker has returned to the club where he made his name and will also spend time coaching the club's academy players

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Andrew Johnson on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old was released by QPR at the end of last season and has penned a short-term contract until January with the club he originally joined in 2002.

Johnson scored 85 goals in 160 games in his initial spell at Selhurst Park before leaving for Everton, and will bolster Neil Warnock's attacking options, joining Marouane Chamakh, Fraizer Campbell and Dwight Gayle as the club's attacking options.

"I am delighted to be coming back to a club that I love and have a real soft spot for," Johnson told the club’s official website.

"I would like to thank the gaffer and the chairman for giving me this opportunity and I am looking forward to helping this football club have continued success in the Premier League.

"I have also been given an opportunity to help the youngsters in a coaching capacity, something I am really looking forward to getting involved in."

Johnson, who has earned eight caps for England, will also coach the club's academy players during his second spell at Palace.