Everton made a last-minute addition on transfer deadline day with the loan signing of Belgian teen-ager David Henen.
The 18-year-old had been training with the Toffees until recently but his parent club Anderlecht decided to sell him to Greek side Olympiakos on Monday.
However, Everton struck a deal to bring the youth international back to England for a season-long loan, although the paperwork was not completed until very late in the day.
The club have confirmed the deal has now been ratified and Henen will link up with Everton’s Under-21 side after the international break.
Cristante bidding for Benfica glory
Bryan Cristante claims he is ready to take the next step forward in his career after being unveiled as a Benfica player.
The Italian midfielder joined the Portuguese champions from Milan for an undisclosed fee on Monday evening. The 19-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Lisbon club.
Cristante said: “This move was my choice. I thank the Portuguese club as well as Milan that has allowed me to grow as a player.”
The Rossoneri had hoped to keep Cristante, who came up through Milan’s youth ranks. But, he requested to leave in search of playing time.
Aston Villa sign Cleverley on loan
Aston Villa have signed Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley on a season-long loan after squeezing through a deal after the close of the transfer window, the Premier League club said yesterday.
Agreement was reached for the 25-year-old, who has played 13 times for England, late on transfer deadline day on Monday but the move hung in the balance as Villa were made to wait for the league’s approval after the close of the window.
Cleverley made the move away from Old Trafford after finding playing opportunities limited under new manager Louis Van Gaal.
Galatasaray sign Pandev, Dzemaili
Galatasaray have signed forward Goran Pandev and midfielder Blerim Dzemaili from Serie A club Napoli.
Under the terms of Pandev’s deal, the Turkey league club will pay Napoli a transfer fee of 2.4 million euros for the coming season.
If Pandev makes at least 27 appearances, his contract will be renewed and the Italian club will be owed a further 2.1 million euros.
The 31-year-old Macedonian scored 19 goals for Napoli in 92 league appearances.
Dzemaili, 28, has signed a three-year deal with Galatasaray paying Napoli €2.35m.
Yanga-Mbiwa seals Roma loan move
French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has sealed a season-long loan move to Roma from Newcastle United.
Yanga-Mbiwa arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport late Monday to undergo a medical and finalise the deal.
The 25-year-old had been looking to leave the Magpies this summer after finding himself down the pecking order under manager Alan Pardew.
“I am happy, forza Roma,” Yanga-Mbiwa was reported as saying by the Italian press.
The France international moved to St James’ Park in January 2013 from Ligue 1 side Montpellier.
Yanga-Mbiwa is under contract with Newcastle for another four years.
Schweini captain
Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was named captain of the national team yesterday, succeeding Bayern Munich team-mate Philipp Lahm, who retired from international football following their World Cup victory in Brazil in July.
Thirty-year-old Schweinsteiger, who has won 108 caps and scored 23 goals for Germany, will not lead the team in today’s friendly rematch of the final against Argentina due to injury, coach Joachim Loew said.
Loew also said former Stuttgart coach Thomas Schneider would be his new assistant, succeeding Hansi Flick, who becomes the federation’s sports director.
“The challenge is a great one,” Schneider said.
“I am honoured that both the DFB and Loew trusted in me.”
Amauri excited by Torino switch
Amauri is excited to start his “new adventure” after completing his transfer to Torino from Parma.
The 34-year-old striker signed a two-year contract with the Granata outfit, a move that sees him return to Turin just three years after leaving Juventus.
“I wanted to experience a new adventure and to return to have a starring role,” Amauri said.
“Torino were the first team that wanted me and I can’t wait to get started.”
The once-capped Italy international, who scored eight goals in 33 appearances to help Parma finish sixth in Serie A last term, will fill the boots of Alessio Cerci who joined Atletico Madrid.