Blackburn Rovers completed the signing of Newcastle United striker Leon Best yesterday.
The second-tier Champion-ship outfit have agreed a fee of more than £3 million for the 25-year-old who has arrived at Ewood Park on a four-year contract.
“Blackburn Rovers have just completed the signing of Leon Best from Newcastle United,” said a club statement yesterday.
“The 25-year-old striker makes the move from the North East to the North West for a fee of more than £3m, signing a four-year deal.”
Ederson leaves Lyon for Lazio
Italian Serie A side Lazio announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Lyon on a five-year deal.
Ederson, 26, was out of contract at Lyon after spending four injury-hit seasons at the Stade de Gerland.
The Brazilian international had been signed by OL for €14 million from Nice but made just 82 league appearances after his transfer, scoring 11 goals.
Ederson, who left Juventude in his homeland for Nice at the age of 19, has won one cap for Brazil.
Palermo offload Cassani, Pinilla
Palermo have sold defender Mattia Cassani and striker Mauricio Pinilla to Fiorentina and Cagliari, respectively.
Right-back Cassani, 28, spent last season on loan at Fiorentina and the switch has become permanent after he made 26 league appearances in their successful battle to avoid relegation.
Pinilla, meanwhile, moved to Cagliari in January on loan and made a big impression, scoring eight goals in 14 league appearances.
He is excited at having signed a permanent deal.
“This is just what I wanted. I have to thank Cagliari for the trust shown in me and Palermo for allowing me to leave the club,” the Chilean said.
Amauri makes Parma return
Brazil-born striker Amauri is delighted to have returned to Parma on a permanent deal.
The 32-year-old, who played on loan at the Ducale club in the 2010/11 campaign, has re-joined the Emilia-Romagna outfit on a free transfer.
Amauri, whose contract with Juventus expired last month, has signed a two-year contract with Parma, with the option of a third.
“I am delighted with this move,” Amauri said.
“For me it’s like returning home. It only took 10 minutes to reach an agreement, nothing more. I had been very happy here and now I want to pick up where I left off.”
Ferrara handed Sampdoria job
Sampdoria yesterday confirmed the appointment of Ciro Ferrara as their new coach.
Ferrara has left his position as the boss of Italy’s Under-21 team to return to club management for the first time since a spell at Juventus in 2009-10.
A statement from Sampdoria read: “Ciro Ferrara will be the new coach of Sampdoria.
“The agreement with the new tactician will be ratified in the next few days.”
The 45-year-old Ferrara replaces Giuseppe Iachini, who took over the Genoa outfit last November and led the team to promotion and Italy’s top flight via the play-offs.
Ferrara is set to sign a two-year contract with the Blucerchiati outfit, with an option for a third season.
Callejon happy at Real Madrid
Real Madrid forward Jose Maria Callejon has declared he has no interest in leaving the Spanish champions this summer.
Callejon scored 13 times in all competitions last season as Real regained the Primera Division title after a four-year wait and he is hoping for even more game time in the coming campaign.
The 25-year-old, who joined Jose Mourinho’s side from Espanyol in 2011, said: “I am not going to move. I am very happy in Madrid, I want to do well and Mourinho believes in me. There are many reasons why I want to continue.
“I have a lot of desire. I want to continue showing my commitment to Real Madrid, enjoy the minutes and help to win as much as possible.”
O’Neill link-up excites Cuellar
Sunderland new boy Carlos Cuellar has revealed his desire to work with Martin O’Neill again helped persuade him to head for Wearside.
The 30-year-old defender signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light after his contract at Aston Villa expired, and was delighted to renew his acquain-tance with the man who first brought him to England.
Cuellar said: “Ever since I heard the rumour that Sunderland were interested in signing me, I wanted to come here.
“To work again with Martin O’Neill and with everyone talking so well about the club, I didn’t have any problem and said straight away I wanted to come.”