Sutton seals Blues move

BIRMINGHAM have signed former England striker Chris Sutton from Celtic after making an unsuccessful attempt to sign his old Parkhead team-mate Henrik Larsson from Barcelona last week.

Sutton has joined the struggling Blues until the end of the season on a free transfer. The 32-year-old had played a key part in Celtic's success under Martin O'Neill after joining them from Chelsea five years ago.

Due to his versatility, some of his 199 Celtic appearances came in defence and midfield but he scored 86 goals for the club and Birmingham will hope his firepower can lift them away from relegation trouble.

Sutton will be eligible to make his debut for Blues in tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Torquay providing international clearance is received by 12 noon today.

Elsewhere, Nemanja Vidic is ready to join up with his Manchester United team-mates after having his work permit granted. United agreed a £7 million (€10m) deal with Spartak Moscow for the Serbia and Montenegro defender, aged 24, on Christmas Day.

Vidic arrived in England last night but, because of a lack of match practice since the Russian season ended in November, is unlikely to feature in this weekend's cup clash with Burton.

Manchester City have completed the signing of Espanyol winger Albert Riera for the rest of the season.

The Spaniard could make his debut in tomorrow's FA Cup tie at home to Scunthorpe subject to international clearance.

Fulham have signed goalkeeper Tony Warner on a permanent deal from Cardiff and hope to sign defender Jose Fonte on loan from Benfica, with the Portuguese 22-year-old reportedly undergoing a medical at Craven Cottage.

The former Liverpool reserve stopper has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal which will keep him at the club until summer 2008 with Fulham paying Cardiff an undisclosed fee.

Coleman has also taken steps to plug his leaky defence with Fonte set to join in a sixth-month loan spell from Benfica.

A deal has yet to be finalised for the 22-year-old, who only joined Benfica from Vitoria Setubal last month, but the Portuguese club's press officer, Carlos Garcia, said he expected terms to be agreed later today.

Fulham's bid to sign New Zealand midfielder Simon Elliot from US side Columbus Crew is still awaiting international clearance.