Premier League players dominate European Footballer of the Year Awards
Stoke fail in bid to sign Hyppia from Liverpool
Baggies sign Valero
Jo brace secures bronze medal for Brazil
American Johnson moves to Wales on loan
Maloney rejoins Celtic and Edu gets work permit
The shortlist for this year’s UEFA European Club Footballer of the Year awards is dominated by Premier League players, the shortlist, announced today by UEFA, has 17 players from the Premier league out of 25.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard will all be leading contenders for the award. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol are also in contention.
The list of nominees, from which the overall winner will be selected, is:
UEFA club goalkeeper of the year: Manuel Almunia (Arsenal), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Manuel Neuer (FC Schalke 04), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United).
UEFA club defender of the year: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United).
UEFA club midfielder of the year: Michael Essien (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Paul Scholes (Manchester United).
UEFA club forward of the year: Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).
Premier new boys Stoke City have failed in a bid to sign Liverpool’s Finnish centre-back Sami Hyypia meanwhile Liverpool reserve team striker Craig Lindfield has joined League Two outfit AFC Bournemouth on a months loan.
West Brom have completed the signing of Borja Valero from Real Mallorca for a club record £4.7million. The 23-year-old midfielder has signed a four-year contract after passing a medical. The deal takes the Baggies spending to past £20million since their promotion.
Manchester City’s Jo scored two goals and Diego added a third as Brazil beat Belgium 3-0 to win the bronze medal in the men’s soccer at the Olympics. Argentina play Nigeria in the final on Saturday morning at 5am British time.
Cardiff City have signed USA international striker Eddie Johnson on a season’s loan from Fulham. However, the Cottagers have the option to recall the 24-year-old striker in January 2009 should they require.
Shaun Maloney has rejoined the Scottish Champions, Celtic, on a four-year deal worth up to £2.5m, meanwhile over at rival Rangers, USA midfielder Maurice Edu is set to complete a move after being granted a work permit. The 22-year-old agreed a five-year contract last week after the Ibrox club and Major League Soccer settled on a fee of £2.6m.