Dead certs

Scott Carson, the goalkeeper, has today joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan after Liverpool yesterday completed the signing of Charles Itandje, the former France Under-21 goalkeeper, from Lens hours before the Champions League registration deadline.

Charlton Athletic will complete the £2 million signing today of Zheng Zhi, the China captain and midfield player, from Shandong Luneng. Souleymane Diawara, the Charlton defender, has joined Bordeaux for an initial fee of £2.6 million.

West Bromwich Albion have signed Pelé, the Southampton midfield player, for £1 million and have sold Darren Carter, the midfield player, to Preston North End for £750,000.

Ryan Shawcross, the 19-year-old Manchester United defender, has joined Stoke City on a six-month loan.

US Avellino have signed Rodrigo Defendi on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur.

Decent bets

Manchester City and Newcastle United are trying to hijack West Ham United’s proposed signing of Eidur Gudjohnsen. The London club are thought to have agreed a fee of £7 million with Barcelona.

Stoke City have asked Charlton Athletic if they can take Jonathan Fortune on loan. The defender turned down a permanent move to the Britannia Stadium after the clubs had agreed a fee. Stoke are close to signing Dominic Matteo, the defender, and Salif Diao, the midfield player, on permanent deals.

Long shots

Bakary Soro, the Charlton Athletic defender who was on loan to Germinal Beerschot, is wanted by Lorient.

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