English Champions Manchester United

Manchester United winning the record 19th title in English Premier League under Manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Edwin Van der Ser making a Fabulous save

Manchester United former goal keeper Edwin Van der Ser making a acrobatic save against title rivals Chelsea

Gabriel Agbonlahor Celebrating

Aston Villa striker celebrating with his home crowd after scoring a goal at Villa Park against Everton.

European Champions Barcelona

Barcelona won the Champions League finals against Manchester United in 2011 and the team is celebrating the victory with the trophy.

Real Madrid's Kaka Penalty

Spanish giants Real Madrid match against Athletic Bilbao and playmaker Kaka scoring a goal from the penalty spot.

Jul 19, 2011

Courtois undergoes medical at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that Belgian teenager Thibaut Courtois is undergoing a medical with the club.

The Blues confirmed over the weekend that they had agreed a deal with Belgian champions Genk to sign the 19-year-old. He would be Villas-Boas' first signing since taking charge at Stamford Bridge.

Villas-Boas, speaking on arrival in Malaysia where Chelsea will play a pre-season friendly on Thursday told "At this moment he is having a medical but has not yet agreed personal terms."

Courtois was voted Genk's player of the year last season as they won the national title, and was also named Belgian goalkeeper of the year.

Courtois made his league debut at the age of 16 for Genk in April 2009.

Chelsea added on their official website: "It is not expected that he will join up with the squad in Asia should the transfer be completed in time."

Ivory Coast Wonder-kid joins Tottenham


Teenage star Souleymane Coulibaly has agreed to join English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurs.

The 16 year-old striker scored nine goals in four games for Ivory Coast during the recently concluded Under-17 World Cup.

This included a hat-trick against Brazil and four against Denmark and his efforts earned him the Golden Boot.

Souleymane had formerly been part of the youth team of Italian side AC Siena, while it has been reported that Harry Rednapp’s Spurs were set to pay around £1.5million.

A statement on Tottenham's official website read: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Souleymane Coulibaly to join the club."


Given Seal Villa move


Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Shay Given from Manchester City after the goalkeeper signed a five-year contract.

Villa and new boss Alex McLeish have been looking for a replacement for Brad Friedel following the veteran’s move to Spurs.

Given quickly emerged as the prime target, due to the Republic of Ireland international’s limited opportunities at the Eastlands.

The 35 year-old has therefore been holding talks at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground over the past few days and he could now make his debut against Walsall on Thursday.

A statement on the club’s official website read:”Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Shay Given will be unveiled Tuesday as the club’s new goalkeeper, having agreed a five year deal til June 2016 ”

City signed Given for £7million from Newcastle in 2009.He is relishing his new career at Villa and is looking forward to a return to first-team football.

"Aston Villa is a huge football club and I'm really excited to be joining," he said.

"I'm looking forward to training and playing with the players here. They're a good bunch of lads, very talented and I know several of them already which will help.

"Everyone knows that I didn't play enough football last season, so I'm really pleased that I'll be able to put that right here. Hopefully, this move will get me back to where I was before in the Premier League, which is where every player wants to be playing."


Denilson sad to leave Arsenal

Denilson has expressed his "sadness" at leaving Arsenal after confirming he will be returning to Sao Paulo on loan.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has allowed the Brazilian to return to his homeland on a temporary basis after finding himself down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.

The 23-year-old joined Arsenal from Sao Paulo in the summer of 2006 and he has decided to move on in search of regular first-team action after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of opportunities in the Arsenal starting XI.

"I will be playing in Brazil next season as I felt that this is a good opportunity for me to play regular first-team football," Denilson told the club's official website.

"I move away with sadness because I have so many friends at Arsenal and everyone has always been so supportive towards me.

"I want to say thank you to the club, and of course, also a big thank you to all the Arsenal fans who are very special.

"I'm now focused on doing well in Brazil next season, but will always be looking out for the Arsenal results.

"It is a great club with many great players, a good team spirit and a top-class manager. I wish you well for next season."

Boateng joins Bayern from Man City

Jerome Boateng has completed his move to German Giants Bayern Munich from Manchester City.

The 22-year-old struggled to hold down a regular first-team spot at Eastlands since joining the club from German side Hamburg SV last summer and made just 16 appearances in the Premier League.

Bayern have been long-term follower of the player, but the major sticking point in negotiations appeared to be the transfer fee.

At one stage it looked like the deal would fail, with Boateng even flying to America for City's pre-season tour.

However, an agreement was reached late last week and Boateng has since flown to Germany to undergo a medical and finalise terms on a four-year contract.