News

Everton seal Distin coup

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 29/08/2009
Football betting

Everton have wrapped up the signing of French central defender Sylvain Distin on a three-year contract from Portsmouth.

The 31-year-old moves to Goodison Park for an undisclosed fee, arriving as a direct replacement for Joleon Lescott, who recently joined Manchester City in a £22million deal.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reacted furiously to the news that UEFA have charged striker Eduardo with 'deceiving the referee' during the Champions League victory over Celtic in midweek.

The Croatia international won a penalty in the first half of the 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium, despite TV replays showing little or no contact with Bhoys goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

However, Wenger is angry that his player now appears to have been labelled as a 'diver'.

Everton, who are one of the online favourites to win the competition, have been drawn in the same Europa League group as Benfica after seeing off Sigma Olomouc.

David Moyes' side also face games against AEK Athens and BATE Borisov, but it will be the matches against the 31-times Portuguese League winners that will be most eagerly awaited.

Fulham have been drawn in the same group as AS Roma, Basel and CSKA Sofia while Celtic have been paired with last season's UEFA Cup semi-finalists Hamburg, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Rapid Vienna.

Can Everton recover from their indifferent start and challenge the Premier League's top four again? - Latest Football Betting

Former Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Michael Brown has left Wigan Athletic and signed for Portsmouth.

The 32-year-old leaves the Latics after featuring in 64 matches for the club in the last two campaigns.

Long-term injury victim Owen Hargreaves will return to training next month, according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The England international has been sidelined for almost a year after having surgery on both knees to solve his tendinitis problems, but finally appears to be closing in on a comeback.

Former Italy international Gianfranco Zola has returned to his homeland to bring Livorno striker Alessandro Diamanti to Upton Park on a five-year deal.

The 26-year-old scored 18 times in 37 league and cup matches for Livorno last season as the club made an immediate return to Serie A.

Pascal Chimbonda has completed his transfer from Tottenham to Blackburn following Rovers boss Sam Allardyce's decision to sell Stephen Warnock to Aston Villa.

The 30-year-old defender moves to Ewood Park on a two-year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee.

Finally, Chelsea's record signing Andriy Shevchenko has been told that he can leave the club before the transfer window shuts next week.

The 32-year-old Ukraine ace has struggled during his time at Stamford Bridge and ended last season back on loan with former club AC Milan.

In total Shevchenko scored 22 goals in 77 appearances for the Blues, but was rarely a first-team regular.

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