Is Matt Finished At Olympiacos Fee: Loan

Birmingham have clinched the signing of striker Matt Derbyshire on a one-year loan from Olympiacos.
Former Blackburn frontman Derbyshire, 24, moved to Greece in January 2009 but returns for a move which could become permanent if he impresses for Alex McLeish's side.
Derbyshire has three years remaining on his contract with Olympiakos.
He could make his Birmingham debut against Blackburn at St Andrew's on Saturday.

As a young forward, Derbyshire struggled to win a regular starting place at Ewood Park and had loan spells with Wrexham and Plymouth before departing to Olympiacos, initially on loan.
It was during the loan spell last year that Derbyshire enjoyed his finest match for the Greek giants, scoring twice in the domestic cup final - including a stoppage-time equaliser - to force a 3-3 draw with AEK Athens before Olympiacos won 15-14 in a penalty shoot-out.
McLeish has been keen to add to his squad this summer after their impressive first season after promotion, and Derbyshire becomes the second striker to join the club after former Valencia frontman Nikola Zigic.


Matt Derbyshire's career:


2004-2009 - Blackburbn Rovers - 63 apps (10 goals)
2004-2005 - Plymouth Argyle (loan) - 12 apps (0 goals)
2005-2006 - Wrexham (loan) 16 apps (10 goals)
2009 - Olympiacos (loan) - 7 apps (5 goals)
2009 - Olympiacos - 14 apps (6 goals)


International Appearances


2007-2009 - England U21 - 14 apps (6 goals)

Chelsea Have Six Appeal Chelsea 6 (Malouda 6, 90 Drogba 45, 55, 68 Lampard 63) West Brom 0

Chelsea hold on to the "Unofficial Premier League" title belt today and showed the rest of the Premiership they are not hanging around in their bid to keep the official title by beating a lackluster West Brom at Stamford Bridge today.


It took Chelsea 6 minutes to get the ball rolling.  A freekick from just outside the area by Didier Drogba was to hot to handle for keeper Scott Carson who spilled the ball into the path of John Obi Mikel who struck straight at the West Brom keeper but the rebound fell to Malouda who rammed the ball home for to make it 1-0.


Chelsea had chances to make it 2-0 but it took until stoppage time for them to make their possession count.  Another freekick from Chelsea and again the wall broke as if I had built it and Drogba's shot went straight through the wall into the bottom corner.  Now the scoreline relflected matchplay.  Chelsea had yet to get out of second gear.


The second half started in much the same way, Chelsea with all the possession, intricate passing and pace down both flanks but West Brom striker had a 20 yard effort ruled out for off-side and in the 55th minute a Chelsea corner was headed goalwards by skipper John Terry, his effort was cleared off the line but only as far as Drogba who from 6 yards out grabbed his second of the match, just under 10 minutes later and it was Frank Lampards turn to get his name on the score sheet as he begins another season where he will probably get 20 goals.


3 minutes later Drogba might have completed his hat-trick.  For now he has the match ball but the dubious goal's committee might take it off him as his shot deflected of Gabriel Tamas and past Carson, I for one hope they give the Ivory Coast hitman his goal, his performance deserved it.


The Chelsea fans were in full voice, absolutely loving what they were seeing.  They evenstarted chanting the name of ex-Chelsea midfielder and current West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo who must've been shell shocked at what he was seeing and just when he thought the game was over and he could get out of London Florent Malouda, who began the rout got a second after his shot went in off the post.


Chelsea were in awesome form and already after one goal I have seen enough to say whoever finished above Chelsea this season will win the Premier League, they were simply amazing.


Lineups:


Chelsea: 01-Cech, 03-Cole, 05-Essien, 08-Lampard, 11-Drogba, 12-Mikel, 15-Malouda, 19-Ferreira, 26-Terry, 33-Alex, 39-Anelka.  Subs: 02-Ivanovic, 10-Benayoun, 21- Kalou


West Bromwich Albion: 01-Carson, 04-Cech, 06-Pablo, 07-Morrison, 09-Bednar, 11-Brunt, 14-Thomas, 17-Dorrans, 21-Mulumbu, 30-Tamas, 36-Jara. Subs: 08-Barnes, 10- Miller, 31-Cox


Todays Other Scores:


Aston Villa 3-0 West Ham - AV- Downing, Petrov, Milner
Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Everton - BR-Kalinic
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Fulham
Sunderland 2-2 Birmingham - SU- Bent (pen), Carr (og) - BC- Dann, Ridgewell
Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester City
Wigan Athletic 0-4 Blackpool - BP- Harewood (2), Taylor-Fletcher, Baptiste
Wolves 2-1 Stoke City - WW- Jones, Fletcher - SC- Faye

Balotelli Finally Completes City Switch Fee: Undisclosed

Manchester City have completed the signing of Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan.

The Eastlands outfit have landed the Italy striker on a five-year deal after agreeing an undisclosed fee with Inter thought to be around£24million.

City boss Roberto Mancini told the club's website: "I think that Mario is one of the best players of his age in Europe, and I very happy to be working with him again.

"His style of play will suit the Premier League, and because he is still so young there is a big chance for him to improve. He is a strong and exciting player, and City fans will enjoy watching him."

Mario Balotelli's career:

2005-2006 - Lumezzane - 2 apps (0 goals)

2007 - 2010 - Internazionale - 59 apps (20 goals)

2008 - Italy U21 - 16 apps 6 goals

2010 - Italy - 1 app (0 goals)

Basham Joins Blackpool Revolution Fee: Undisclosed

Worldwide Football can confirm Blackpool have completed the signing of Chris Basham from Bolton for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a three-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months after limited opportunities at the Reebok.

While hailing the player's attitude, Bolton boss Owen Coyle believes it would not have been fair to keep hold of him.

He told the club's official website: "Chris is a great lad but unfortunately there is plenty of competition here in the position that he plays.

"As a young, enthusiastic player making his way in the game then it wouldn't have been fair for us to keep him as he wouldn't have got as many chances to play as he would have liked.

"I wish him nothing but good luck at Blackpool because it is a fantastic opportunity for him to play in the Premier League."

Basham made his debut for Bolton against Sunderland in November 2008 and went on to make 19 appearances for the club, with his only goal coming against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in April 2009.

Chris Bashams career:

2006-2010 - Bolton Wanderers - 19 apps (1 goal)

2006-2007 - Stafford Rangers (loan) - 3 apps (0 goals)

2007-2008 - Rochdale (loan) - 13 apps (0 goals)

Ramires Becomes A Pensioner Fee: Undisclosed

Worldwide Football can confirm Chelsea have finally completed the signing of Brazilian international Ramires for a fee believed to be in the £18m region.


Chelsea have been in negotiations with Ramires advisors for a while now and the fee was finally settled after an agreement with Benfica and also with Jazzy Limited who owned 50% of the player and Ramires could make his Premier League debut when Chelsea take on West Bromwich Albion which is also the first title defence of the 2010/11 season.


The 23 year old has represented Brazil 16 times since making his debut in 2009 scoring 2 goals and has also played for Cruzeiro in Brazil.


Ramires becomes Chelsea's 3rd signing of the season after capturing the signatures of Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool and also 17 year old Tomas Kalas from Sigma Olomouc.


After losing yesterdays Charity Shield Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti came out and said he wouldn't panic buy after yesterdays showing so will this be the final piece of Chelsea's 2010/11 jigsaw?


Ramires Santos do Nascimento career:


2006–2008 - Joinville - 14 apps (3 goals)
2007–2008 - Cruzeiro (loan) - 32 apps (3 goals)
2008–2009 - Cruzeiro - 29 apps (7 goals)
2009– 2010 - Benfica - 26 apps (4 goals)


2009– Brazil 16 (2)

Welbeck Moves To Stadium Of Light Fee: Loan

WorldwideFootball can reveal Sunderland have signed Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck on a season long loan.
Welbeck has been brought as a short term replacement for Kenwyne Jones who was sold to Premier League rival Stoke City yesterday.
The England U21 international has struggled to break into the Manchester United first team as he is behind the likes of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen in the pecking order and last season he was sent out on loan to Championsip side Preston North End.
It's not known whether the loan could lead to a permanent deal but either way Welbeck will be hoping to get his chance to prove to Sir Alex Ferguson he is worth a place in the Manchester United starting line-up.


Danny Welbecks career:


2008 - Manchester United - 8 apps (1 goal)
2010 - Preston North End (loan) - 8 apps (2 goals)


2008-2009 - England U19 - 10 apps (2 goals)
2009 - England U21 - 5 apps (0 goals)

Oldham's Eaves Drops In At The Reebok Fee: Undisclosed

It has just been announced 18 year old striker Tom Eaves has joined Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee today whioch see's the striker sign a 3 year contract.


The signing comes two weeks after Eaves scored a hat-trick AGAINST Bolton in a pre-season friendly for Oldham and Owen Coyle obviously saw enough to make a deal.


Other Premier Clubs including Newcastle United, Everton, Wigan Athletic, Blackpool and West Ham United were said to be interested in the strikers services but it was Bolton who made the bid and got their man.


At 18 its not know whether Eaves will play a major part in Bolton's season or whether he will go out on loan but this signing shows Coyle isn't looking at just this season but also Bolton's future.


Tom Eaves career:


2009-2010 - Oldham Athletic - 15 apps (0 goal)

Poulsen Gets Liverpool Move

It has just been confirmed Liverpool have signed Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen from Italian giants Juventus for a fee believed to be around £4m.

The 30 year old midfielder becomes Liverpools sixth signing of the season as manager Roy Hodgson tries to get the club challenging for honours this season.

Poulsen brings a wealth of experience to Anfield as well as controversy with his no nonsence style so you can expect Poulsen to make himself known to other midfielders and referees this season.

Liverpool is Christian Poulsens sixth club in a very successful career that has seen him win trophies in Denmark, Germany, Spain and Italy so the Kop faithful will be hoping he continues this winning streak for the club.  He also represented Denmark in this years World Cup where he played every minute of every game for Denmark that saw them eliminated at the group stage.

There should be a lot of excitement at Anfield this season, this signing as well as that of Joe Cole and with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres committing themselves to Liverpool could this be the season where Liverpool challenge for Chelsea's title?

Christian Poulsen's career:

1997–2000 - Holbæk B&I - 82 apps (13 goals)

2000–2002 - Copenhagen - 45 apps (10 goals)
2002–2006 - Schalke 04 - 111 apps (3 goals)
2006–2008 - Sevilla - 62 apps (4 goals)
2008–2010 - Juventus - 49 apps (1 goal)

2001– Denmark - 77 apps (6 goals)

Harewood In Blackpool Switch

Worldwide Football can reveal Blackpool have completed the signing of former West Ham and Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood on a two year deal.
Harewood, 30, becomes manager Ian Holloways fifth signing today and goes straight into the team to take on Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday.
After struggling to get a regular first team place for Aston Villa, Harewood see's this move as the one to kick-start his career after making 29 appearances in 3 years for Villa where he seemed to be used mainly as a substitute.  He left West Ham to join Aston Villa for £4m in 2007 and spent most of his time there out on loan where he had spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United.
Blackpool have finally decided to ring the changes as before today they hadnt made any signings but now Harewood joins Craig Cathcart, Elliot Grandin, Malaury Martin and Ludovic Sylvestre who all joined today.


Marlon Harewoods career:


1996 - 2003 - Nottingham Forest - 196 apps (55 goals)
1998 - Haka (loan) - 12 apps (3 goals)
1999 - Ipswich Town (loan) - 6 apps (1 goal)
2003-2007 - West Ham United - 142 apps (47 goals)
2007-2010 - Aston Villa - 29 apps (5 goals)
2009 - Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) - 5 apps (0 goals)
2009 - Newcastle United (loan) - 15 apps (5 goals)

Jones In Record Transfer To Stoke

Worldwide Football can reveal Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has completed the £8m record signing of Trinidad striker Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland.

After months of trailing West Ham's Carlton Cole the Stoke manager decided to change target and opt for the Sunderland target man.

It seems a strange bit of business from Sunderland manager Steve Bruce as Sunderland aren't blessed with the most potent strike force but he has decided to cash in on the striker

Last season Jones formed a decent pairing up front with Darren Bent and in 32 appearances last season he managed to get 9 goals but it was the previous season where he made his name when he managed to get 10 goals in 29 appearances which saw him linked with a big money move to Liverpool but 12 months later and Jones will still be wearing red and white stripes but instead of The Stadium Of Light he will be making the Brittania Stadium home.

Will this signing see a change in Stoke's play, a big burly striker being the perfect foil for Delap's through in's.  We all know it'll be business as usual for City!!!!

Kenwyne Jones career:

2002 - Joe Public - 11 apps (9 goals)

2002-2004 - W Connection - 31 apps (30 goals)

2004-2007 - Southampton - 71 apps (19 goals)

2004-2005 - Sheffield Wednesday (loan) - 7 apps (7 goals)

2005 - Stoke City (loan) - 13 apps (3 goals)

2007-2010 - Sunderland - 94 apps (26 goals)

2003 - Trinidad & Tobago - 45 apps (5 goals)

Bruce Has The Brains To Resign Mensah

Worldwide Football can confirm Sunderland have resigned Ghana international John Mensah on a season long loan from Lyon.
Mensah, 27, was on loan at the Stadium Of Light last season where he made 16 appearances for the Black Cats scoring one goal but he spent more time off the field injured with a persistant calf injury so Steve Bruce wants to have another look at the defender before making any signing permanent.
The defender may have missed a lot of the season for Sunderland but Mensah was able to play in all 5 of Ghana's matches in the World Cup including the Quarter-Final defeat to Uruguay which saw his penalty saved.
Its not known whether Mensah will be able to take the field for Sunderland at the weekend but the Black Cats faithful will be hoping to see much more of him than they did last season.


John Mensah's career:


2000-2001 - Bellinzona - 8 apps (0 goals)
2001-2002 - Genoa - 24 apps (3 goals)
2002-2004 - Chievo - 13 apps (0 goals)
2004 - Modena - 6 apps (0 goals)
2004-2005 - Chievo - 9 apps (0 goals)
2005-2006 - Cremonese - 14 apps (0 goals)
2006-2008 - Rennes - 60 apps (2 goals)
2008 - Lyon - 12 apps (0 goals)
2009 - 2010 - Sunderland (loan) - 16 apps (1 goal)

Blackpool In Quadruple Swoop

Just when you thought it was never going to happen, Worldwide Football can finally reveal Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has bolstered his squad with a quartet of signings, his first of the summer.

Defender Craig Cathcart, 21, joins from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee having agreed a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

Midfielder Ludovic Sylvestre, 26, has arrived from Czech side Mlada Boleslav on a two-year deal with the option of a further year.

A similar deal has been signed by Elliot Grandin, a 22-year-old French winger from Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia who has also had Ligue 1 experience with Marseille.

The 21-year-old midfielder Malaury Martin, who has been capped by France at various youth levels, joins on a free transfer from Monaco having been on trial for the last month, signing a one-year deal.

Due to the lack of signings rumours were going round Blackpool were about to lose their manager due to an arguement about transfer funds so the news of these signings should confirm Ian Holloway will be leading Blackpool into their first ever Premier League campaign

Craig Cathcarts career:

2006-2010 - Manchester United - 0 apps (0 goals)

2007 - Royal Antwerp (loan) - 13 apps (2 goals)

2008-2009 - Plymouth Argyle (loan) - 30 apps (1 goal)

2009 - Watford (loan) - 12 apps (0 goals)

Ludovic Sylvestres career:

2005-2006 - Barcelona B - 20 apps (0 goals)

2006 - Barcelona - 2 apps (0 goals)

2006-2008 - Sparta Prague - 25 apps (0 goals)

2008 - Viktoria Pizen (loan) - 14 apps (3 goals)

2008-2010 - Mlada Boleslav - 60 apps (12 goals)

Elliot Grandins career:

2004-2008 - SM Caen - 58 apps (9 goals)

2008-2009 - Olympique de Marseille - 16 apps (2 goals)

2009 - Grenoble Foot 38 (loan) - 8 apps (0 goals)

2010 - CSKA Sofia - 11 apps (4 goals)

Malaury Martins career:

2006-2010 - AS Monaco - 8 apps (0 goals)

2008-2009 - Nimes Olympique (loan) - 14 apps (0 goals)

Shorey Bags West Brom Deal

Worldwide Football can reveal West Bromwich Albion have signed Aston Villa defender Nicky Shorey for an undisclosed fee.


30 minutes after the resignation of manager Martin O'Neill it was back to business for Villa as they decided to let the former England international join the Baggies after failing to get a regular place in the Aston Villa starting XI.


Shorey becomes Albion’s fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Pablo Ibanez, Steven Reid, Boaz Myhill and Gabriel Tamas and will be hoping to make his debut against Chelsea in our title match at the weekend.


Shorey, 29, was on loan at Fulham last season where he made 9 appearances and it was rumoured he would make the switch permanent until Roy Hodgson left for Anfield in the summer.  West Ham were also linked with a move but it was West Brom that got their man.


Nicky Shorey's career:


1999-2001 - Leyton Orient - 15 apps (0 goals)
2001-2008 - Reading - 267 apps (12 goals)
2008-2010 - Aston Villa - 24 apps (0 goals)
2009-2010 - Nottingham Forest (loan) 9 apps (0 goals)
2010 - Fulham (loan) - 9 apps (0 goals)


2007 - England - 2 apps

O'Neill Quits Villa

Five days before the Premier League season begins and we have our first managerial casualty.

Martin O'Neill resigned as Aston Villa manager today after a meeting with Chairman Randy Lerner.

The 58-year-old Northern Irishman announced his decision in a joint statement with chief executive Paul Faulkner on the club website (www.avfc.co.uk).

"I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club," O'Neill said.

"I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager."

Reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald will take caretaker charge for the club's opening game of the season at home to West Ham United on Saturday.

So now the rumours can begin, who will take the job on.

After being linked with the Fulham job it is obvious US coach Bob Bradley is looking to get in the Premier League and is currently the favourite for the job at 7/2.  Alan Curbishley who is linked with every job going comes in next at odds of 6/1 while ex England manager Sven Goran Eriksson, currently out of work after a short stint as Ivory Coast is next at 13/2.

Also in line for the job according to the bookies are Martin Jol, who is my tip for the job and Croatia coach Slaven Bilic.

What next for O'Neill?  Will he want to take time out or will he be looking to get straight back into Football.  I wonder what Neil Lennon is thinking at the moment.  If Celtic have a poor start to the season could the board look into O'Neill taking over with Lennon as his assistant.  YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

Tough Tie For Aston Villa

The draw has just been completed for the final qualifying round of the Europa League and all the English clubs will be happy with their draw apart from Aston Villa.  Even though they should qualify, Martin O'Neills men would have preferred an easier tie than Rapid Vienna of Austria.
Liverpool head to Turkey for their tie, they have been drawn against Trabzonspor while Manchester City head to Romania and take on FC Timisoara.


The Scottish clubs in the draw didnt fair as well as their English counterparts.  Celtic who were eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday haveto go to Holland and face FC Utrecht while Motherwell have a date with AEK Athens.


Britain also have a Welsh club and they will not be dancing in the streets of The New Saints today as they have been dealt the tougest tie of the lot, Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia.


The English clubs should all make it to the group stages of the competition but will Scotland and Wales be flying the flag for Britain, it'll be tough and all I'll do is wish them the best of luck, there going to need it!!!!


Spanish side Villareal have been handed a tie against Turkish side Fenerbache but this could change. Mallorca had qualified for the Europa League but due to financial problems they couldnt get a UEFA Licence so Villareal took their place in the competition.  Mallorca have appealed this and should find out soon so until this is known Fenerbache won't know who they are playing.


British Ties:


Liverpool v Trabzonspor (Turkey)
Celtic v FC Utrecht (Holland)
Dundee United v AEK Athens (Greece)
Aston Villa v Austria Wien (Austria)
The New Saints v CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria)
Manchester City v FC Timisoara (Romania)
Motherwell v Odense (Denmark)

Degen In Loan Switch

Worldwide Football can reveal Liverpool right-back Philipp Degen has joined German side Stuttgart on a year long loan with a view to making the deal permanent.


The 27 year old Swiss international has been told he doesn't feature in new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgsons plans and that he could now find himself a new club.  


Degen is no stranger to the Bundesliga having spent 3 years playing for Borussia Dortmund and has also had spells in his native Switzerland for FC Basel and FC Aarau.


In 2 seasons at Anfield, Degen struggled to make an impact and only managed to make 7 league appearances for Liverpool, his lack of action last season meant he missed the World Cup for Switzerland but should he get a regular game for Stuttgart he will look to add to the 29 caps he currently has for his country.


If all things go well for Degen he could get the chance to show Hodgson he still has a future at Liverpool as both clubs are in this seasons Europa League and should Tottenham Hotspur win their Champions League tie against Young Boys Degen could get the opportunity to play against his twin brother David in the Europa League.


Philipp Degans Career:


2001-2005 - Basel - 82 apps (4 goals)
2002-2003 - FC Aarau - 16 apps
2005-2008 - Borussia Dortmund - 68 apps (1 goal)
2008 - Liverpool - 7 apps


2003-2004 - Switzerland U-21 - 14 apps
2005 - Switzerland - 29 apps

Tottenham Hotspur To Play Boys

Today saw the draw for the 3rd qualifying round for this season's Champions League.  As well as the likes of Sampdoria, Werder Bremen and Ajax it also saw Tottenham Hotspur enter the draw and they have been landed a plum tie, they have been drawn against Swiss side Young Boys of Berne.

The first leg will take place on August 17th/18th at the Berner Sport Club with the return leg taking place at White Hart Lane on August 24th/25th.

Tottenham will be hot favourites to progress and should they win the tie they will enter the riches of the Champions League Group Stage.

Other ties that stand out are the "derbies" between Braga of Portugal who entertain Spanish side Sevilla and an all Scandanavian tie will see Norways Rosenborg take on Danish rivals Copenhagen.

The complete draw was as follows:

FC Zenit St Petersburg (Russia) v AJ Auxerre (France)
SV Werder Bremen (Germany) v UC Sampdoria (Italy)
SC Braga (Portugal) v Sevilla (Spain)
BSC Young Boys (Switzerland) v Tottenham Hotspur (England)
FK Partizan (Serbia) v RSC Anderlecht (Belguim)
Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) v MSK Zilina (Slovakia)
FC Basel (Switzerland) v FC Sheriff (Moldova)
Rosenborg BK (Norway) v FC Copenhagen (Denmark)
FC Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) v Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)
Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) v Ajax Amsterdam (Holland)

EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW TO FOLLOW

Reid is All White For West Ham

Worldwide Football can confirm West Ham have completed the signing of New Zealand defender Winston Reid from Danish side FC Midtjylland.
The 22-year-old, one of the stars of his country's unbeaten World Cup campaign, has joined on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Reid, who passed a medical on Thursday, is the Hammers' fifth summer signing, following in the footsteps of Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne and Tal Ben Haim.
Reid, who can play centre-half or right-back, put himself in the shop window this summer when he scored a dramatic late equaliser in New Zealand's World Cup opener against Slovakia.
He also helped his country secure impressive draws with Italy and Paraguay but those results were not enough to see them progress to the last 16.
He spent the last five seasons with Midtjylland and cannot wait to test himself in the Barclays Premier League.
"I am looking forward to getting started," he told the Hammers' website.
"My dream has been to come and play in the Premier League and I am happy that I am a West Ham player.
"It has been a mad couple of weeks and the last couple of days have been pretty hectic, so I am just happy to be here now. I am pretty decent fitness-wise. I had a game last Sunday so I am in pretty good nick."
Reid, who is of Maori heritage, moved to Denmark at the age of 10 and represented them up to under-21 level before switching allegiance to his native New Zealand shortly before the World Cup.
He added: "The World Cup was a life-changing experience and something I will remember forever.
"I want to bring the positives from that here on the pitch at West Ham.
"This club has great history and the league is one of the best in the world. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."


Winston Reid's Career:


2005-2010 - FC Midtjylland - 84 apps (2 goals)


2007 - Denmark U19 - 4 apps
2008 - Denmark U20 - 1 apps
2008-2010 - Denmark U21 - 10 apps
2010 - New Zealand - 6 apps (1 goal)

Bolton Resign Klasnic

Worldwide Football can confirm Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing on Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic on a two year deal on a free transfer after his contract at Nantes had run its course


The 30 year old striker was Gary Megson's last signing as Bolton manager when he joined on loan at the start of the 2009/2010 season where he scored 8 goals in 27 appearances and provided an ideal strike partner for Kevin Davies.


Since the end of last season new Bolton manager Owen Coyle has been trying to get Klasnic to sign on a full time basis this has now been completed.


The Croatian internation has previously played for St Pauli and Werder Bremen in Germany as well as a spell in France with Nantes and becomes Owne Coyles fourth signing of the summer after the captures of Marcos Alonso, Robbie Blake and midfielder Martin Petrov.


After a tough start to the last campaign where Bolton were fighting against relegation Owen Coyle managed to move Bolton up the table and finished in 14th place.  With these new signings as well as resigning Klasnic Bolton are looking to improve last seasons performances


Ivan Klasnic's career:


1998-2001 - St Pauli - 95 apps (26 goals)
2001-2008 - Werder Bremen - 150 apps (49 goals)
2008-2010 - Nantes - 33 apps (10 goals)
2009-2010 - Bolton Wanderers (loan) - 27 apps (8 goals)


2004 - Croatia - 38 apps (12 goals)

West Ham in Ben Haim Capture

Worldwide Football can confirm West Ham United have completed the signing of Tal Ben Haim from Portsmouth, initially on loan until January.
The 28 year old defender has been linked with a move to Upton Park since the arrival of fellow countryman Avram Grant last month and although other clubs showed an interest Ben-Haim has decided to follow Grant to Upton Park from Portsmouth
The deal is on a loan basis as Ben Haim is currently injured but should he pass a medical in December the deal will then be made permanent.
The former Chelsea and Bolton defender has turned into a bit of a journeyman since leaving Chelsea in 2008 and in the last 2 years has played for Manchester City, Sunderland, Portsmouth and now West Ham.
Ben Haim becomes West Ham's fourth summer signing as they look to make wholesale changes in a bid to improve on their 17th place last season and with the additon of Thomas Hitzelsperger, Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne they are looking good for the new season which is just 11 days away now and if they can keep hold of Carlton Cole and Scott Parker West Ham's relegation blues could soon be a distant memory.


What do you think?


Tal Ben Haim's career:


2001-2004 - Maccabi Tel Aviv - 86 apps (2 goals)
2004-2007 - Bolton Wanderers - 88 apps (1 goal)
2007-2008 - Chelsea - 13 apps
2008-2009 - Manchester City - 9 apps
2009 - Sunderland (loan) - 5 apps
2009-2010 - Portsmouth - 22 apps


2002 - Israel - 54 apps