Long: Hull City have signed Ireland striker Shane Long from West Bromwich Albion on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Long follows Croatia forward Nikica Jelavic through the arrivals door at the KC Stadium this week, adding much-needed firepower to Steve Bruce’s attack that has scored 22 goals in 21 games this season.

Monaco: Title-chasing Monaco have spruced up their defence by bringing in left-back Elderson from Portuguese club Braga. The Nige-rian joins on a four-and-a-half-year contract and returns to French football after three years at Braga, having previously played for Rennes.

Bertrand: Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand will join Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season, manager Jose Mourinho has announced. Mourinho revealed the 24-year-old left-back has agreed to the move due to his lack of first-team action at Stamford Bridge. “Ryan is to go on loan for the rest of the season. We felt and he agrees totally that he needs to play,” Mourinho said.

Moyes: Manchester United mana-ger David Moyes has been fined £8,000 and warned about his con-duct after his comments about match officials following the defeat by Sunderland in the League Cup. The sanction, the same as handed out to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers for his criticism of referees, comes after Moyes said United were “playing referees as well as the opposition” following his side’s third defeat in a row.

Vergini: Sunderland appear to be closing in on the loan signing of central defender Santiago Vergini. Reports said a deal has been agreed for the 25-year-old, who plays for Estudiantes. Vergini is expected to join the Black Cats, currently battling to avoid relegation, until the end of the season.