Gabbidon joins QPR

Premier League new comers QPR have signed Wales defender Danny Gabbidon from West Ham on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old centre-half has penned a one-year deal after his contract at Upton Park expired this summer.

Gabbidon had been training with QPR already and played in three friendlies on the club's recent tour of Cornwall before joining Jay Bothroyd and Keiron Dyer in signing for Neil Warnock's side.

Gabbidon told the club's website, qpr.co.uk: "I'm delighted to be here. "It's a good club. Hopefully I can learn more about it in the coming weeks. I had a good week with the lads in Cornwall and I'm pleased to have signed.

"My agent spoke to the manager and he said to come down and train for a week. It went from there.

"He (Warnock) was a big part in me joining the club. I've been quite impressed by him. He's straight talking, which I like. If you're doing something right I think he'll be the first to tell you and, if you're not, he'll be the first to tell you again.

"As a player, that's what you want. I was impressed with what he had to say about the club and what he wants to do this season.

"I think we can do well. The lads showed last season that they're already confident and hungry to do well in the Premier League."

The Welshman added: "Hopefully I can bring experience to the table having played in the Premier League for a number of years.

"I know the ins and outs of the league, and what's required. There are a lot of good players here already but hopefully, with my ability, I can add something to the team."

Warnock is delighted to add top-flight experience to the spine of his team and said "He's impressed me in the last 10 days or so that he's been training with us,"

"I think he's just the type of player we need - a quality defender with plenty of experience.

"I hope I can reinvigorate his career, because a couple of years ago I thought he was one of the best defenders in the country."

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Eboue, Jay could join Arsenal exodus

Emmanuel Eboue and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas are close to moves away from Arsenal, after being deemed surplus to requirements.

According to reports in the Guardian, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will look to get rid of the duo, with Eboue set to move to Turkish Giants Galatasaray for £4 million, and Thomas, also known as JET to Gunner fans, could move to Ipswich Town for £1 million.

Although the Ivorian is popular with the rest of the squad, reports indicate that Wenger has grown tired of his errors, and is ready to let the defender leave for greener pastures.

It also also telling that Eboue was not on the squad that travelled for Arsenal's Asian Tour in China and Malaysia, with Wenger blaming a suspiciously-timed calf injury, and was also left in London when the Gunners travelled to Germany last Friday for the rest of their pre-season preparations.

Wenger will also hope to complete a summer clearout of the squad's dead weight, and also left out Nicklas Bendtner and stopper Manuel Almunia from his pre-season preparations, with the Dane having talks with Borussia Dortmund, and Almunia interesting Atletico Madrid, Malaga and Fenerbache.

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Madrid to loan out Leon

Real midfielder Pedro Leon will re-sign for Getafe on loan, according to reports.

Cadena Cope claims Leon is not part of Jose Mourinho's plans for the new season and will join Getafe on a season-long switch.

As part of the deal, Getafe will have the option to sign the 24-year-old at the end of next season for €8 million.

Leon joined Real Madrid last summer for €10 million after impressing at Getafe but has so far failed establish himself at the Bernabeu. He did not fly out to the United States to attend the team's pre-season training camp.

Leon made his name at Murcia before stints at Levante, Valladolid and Getafe earned him his big money move to Bernabeu.

Meanwhile, Brazilian Kaka has claimed Mourinho wants to keep him at the club. Former World player of the year has featured for Madrid in their tour of the USA.

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Marcelo granted Spanish nationality

Real Madrid's Brazilian full-back Marcelo has been granted Spanish nationality, the club announced on their website.

The 23-year-old Brazil international, who moved to the Bernabeu during the 2006/07 season from Brazilian side Fluminense, will now no longer occupy one of the three non-European Union spots in the Madrid squad.

"It is a very special day for me. This is a big step. I've always wanted to be here and I'm very happy," Marcelo said on www.realmadrid.com.

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Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes has no intention of allowing Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave the club.

Several top clubs from across Europe have been heavily linked with the Germany international of late.

Premier League champions Manchester United are reported to be among those tracking the midfielder, as they search for a suitable replacement for the retired Paul Scholes.

Bayern, though, insist Schweinsteiger is not for sale, with the 26-year-old academy product a key figure in the club's past, present and future.

Heynckes said: "Bastian Schweinsteiger is held in high regard at this club.

"A year ago he was playing on the same level as players such as Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

"He is not for sale."

Meanwhile, Heynckes has expressed his discontent at missing out on Juventus-bound Arturo Vidal, a man he worked with at former club Bayer Leverkusen.

He said: "I am absolutely disappointed because Arturo told me he wanted to join me at Bayern Munich.

"I am, however, understanding of his situation and his desire to take on the challenge that is ahead of him at Juventus. They are a top club in Europe."

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Barrios to miss season opener

Borussia Dortmund will be without attacker Lucas Barrios for the start of their Bundesliga title defence.

Barrios started on the bench for Paraguay in Sunday's Copa America final, which they lost 3-0 to Uruguay and, having come on in the 76th minute, managed just eight minutes before being stretchered off clutching his thigh.

Dortmund doctor Markus Braun said: "It will take two to three weeks for the injury to heal."

It is not yet known whether the 26-year-old will undergo his treatment in Germany or South America.

But he felt the injury was not a surprise due to the amount of games he has played in the last twelve months.

Barrios told the Bild newspaper: "Firstly, I had to start on the bench and then I got another injury.

"It is very disappointing but a logical consequence due to my high workload over the past year.

"But I can assure the fans that I'll be back as soon as possible."

Barrios netted 16 times last season as Dortmund ran away with the Bundesliga title.

They open their 2011/12 league campaign at home to Hamburg on August 5.

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"Sanchez will improve Barca squad"

Barcelona’s already-talented squad is about to get even better with the addition of Alexis Sanchez, according to club sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

After a summer-long chase which was delayed by competition from Manchester City, Barcelona finally landed the services of Sanchez from Udinese for a fee said to be in the region of €37.5million.

While many have questioned how the Chilean international will fit into Barca's starting eleven, especially with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta practically guaranteed automatic berths; Zubizaretta believes Sanchez is a player unlike any currently at the Nou Camp.

"Alexis is a very versatile player who is able to play in several positions," the Barca sporting director said on the club's official website.

"He will give us an extra edge and some more aggression on the pitch.

"He offers us many options in attack. I believe that Alexis brings things to the squad that we don't have right now."

Sanchez himself had earlier spoken of his happiness at completing his move to Barca, and revealed he was hoping to learn from the best at the Nou Camp.

"I am very happy and I came to Barcelona to learn from the best in the world, like Xavi and Messi," Sanchez said during his official presentation on Monday.

"I want to leave an impression and I hope to help Barcelona win more titles. Barcelona are the best team in the world."

Sanchez leaves the Italian side having scored 21 goals in 112 appearances, and will wear the number nine jersey for the Catalan giants.

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Wolfsburg completes Trasch signing

Wolfsburg have signed of midfielder Christian Trasch from Stuttgart.

The seven-time Germany international has signed a four-year deal at the Volkswagen Arena and trained with his new team-mates on Monday morning.

Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath told the club's official website: "I am delighted to have the chance to work with a player like Christian Trasch.

"He is a strong-running player who has defensive qualities and offensive punch.

"Christian is currently one of the best German players in his position."

The 23 year-old believes a move to Wolfsburg is the right one at this stage of his career.

He said: "Felix Magath has ambitious goals and I want to be a part of that. I hope we can attack the teams above us in the league.

"Wolfsburg have a very good team with some strong individual players."

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Villa agree £9.5m N'Zogbia fee

Aston Villa are set to sign Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia in a £9.5million deal, Press Association Sport understands.

It is understood the fee for the Frenchman has finally been agreed between the two clubs although no official confirmation of the deal has been made yet by either club.

It is believed a compromise deal has been struck after Wigan rejected Villa's initial offer of £9million.

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Fulham Sign Kasami

Fulham have revealed the signing of Palermo midfielder Pajtim Kasami for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old Switzerland Under-21 international has penned a four-year deal which ties him to Craven Cottage until 2015.

Kasami was born in Macedonia but represented Switzerland at this summer's Under-21 European Championship where they lost to Spain in the final, broke into the Italian outfit's first team last season and rapidly impressed.

Cottagers manager Martin Jol said: "Pajtim is a young, talented midfielder who has potential, so we are very excited about signing him on a four-year contract.

"He is a versatile midfield player who can adapt quite easily to more than one position.

"He is a key player in the Swiss Under-21 team.

"I am delighted to have been able to add two talented young players to my squad with the signing of Pajtim Kasami, and Marcel Gecov last week, as I believe that they are going to be good additions to the squad both in the short and long term future."

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PSG Signs Midfield Duo

Paris St Germain's summer rebuild has continued with the signing of Blaise Matuidi and Jeremy Menez.

The midfield pair arrived in the French capital from St Etienne and Italian side Roma respectively.

Both men have plenty of previous experience of life in Ligue 1 and will hope to play a major role in PSG's ambitious plans for the future.

Matuidi began his career with Troyes and spent three years on their ranks before moving to St Etienne in 2007.

The 24-year-old made his senior debut for France in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2010 and he has signed a three-year contract with PSG.

Menez is also 24 and made his international debut for Les Bleus a month before his new team-mate in a friendly date with Norway.

He began his career with Sochaux and spent two years with Monaco before moving to Serie A with Roma in 2008.

He has also penned a three-deal upon completing a return to his homeland.

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