Spanish move sees Harte in right place

IAN HARTE has completed his move from Leeds to newly-promoted Primera Liga side Levante insisting he is not worried about another battle against the drop.

The Republic of Ireland international has agreed a four-year deal after Leeds agreed to release him from his contract.

He was relegated with Leeds last season but is hoping he can help Levante stay in the Spanish top flight after receiving an enthusiastic welcome in Valencia.

“I know they are a team who have only recently been promoted from the second division, but I have a lot of confidence in them,” Harte told reporters at his presentation today.

“I know I have come to an ambitious club.”

Harte admitted it had been a difficult choice for him to leave Leeds, where he has been a member of the first-team squad for almost a decade.

“I am sad to have left Leeds, because I have left some good friends there,” he continued.

“But I think I have made a positive step in my career coming to Levante, I was surprised by the reception I received at the airport and I hope to give the fans something to be happy about on the pitch.”

Tottenham have signed Porto midfielder Pedro Mendes in a deal which takes striker Helder Postiga back to Portugal.

Spurs had been looking to offload Postiga, who failed to impress last season, despite his goal against England in the Euro 2004 quarter-final which the host nation eventually won on penalties.

Porto have agreed to pay up to £5million for Postiga with Spurs spending £2million for the services of 25-year-old midfielder Mendes.

The White Hart Lane club have also confirmed to the Stock Exchange that they have agreed to pay Fulham an undisclosed fee for 24-year-old midfielder Sean Davis who has agreed a four-year contract.

Portsmouth are plotting a double swoop for Liverpool’s African stars El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao.

Pompey have been in contact with Anfield over possible season-long loan deals for the Senegal international pair and Liverpool are anxious to offload the £15million duo who have not impressed in their two seasons on Merseyside.

But the major stumbling block is that Pompey would still require Liverpool to pay a significant percentage of Diouf’s wages if the 2003 African Footballer of the Year went on loan to Fratton Park.

He was Liverpool’s second-biggest signing at £10million from French club Lens two years ago after impressing during the World Cup finals and is reputed to earn around £50,000 a week.

Mario Melchiot has joined Birmingham on a Bosman free transfer. The 27-year-old Dutch full-back became a free agent when his contract with Chelsea expired at the start of the month.

He becomes the fourth player to join the Blues this summer following the arrivals of England striker Emile Heskey, Turkey midfielder Muzzy Izzet and Crystal Palace winger Julian Gray.

Peter Crouch revealed he was “thrilled” after signing for Southampton in a £2million deal to bring an end to an unsatisfactory two-and-a-half years at Aston Villa.

The 6ft 7in forward has agreed a four-year deal and, despite being initially reluctant to leave Villa Park, he claimed he was so impressed by Southampton’s ambition he had no hesitation in signing on the dotted line once Villa accepted the Saints’ offer.