Brom defender Davies completes £8.5m Villa move

DEFENDER Curtis Davies moved to Aston Villa in what could be a potential club-record deal as manager Martin O’Neill made his final moves to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closed.

West Brom centre-back Davies secured a season-long loan at Villa with a view to a permanent switch which would be worth an initial £8.5million, possibly rising to £10million with add-ons.

Davies said he was keen to work with a manager of O’Neill’s reputation. “The manager’s record speaks for itself. During his career he has turned people like Emile Heskey, Robbie Savage and Muzzy Izzet into great players and hopefully he can turn me into a gem as well,” he said.

O’Neill added: “I am very pleased to have signed Curtis. He has been worth waiting for. It seems a long time since our interest was made known but all’s well that ends well.”

Portsmouth have spent in the region of £4million to sign Chelsea right-back Glen Johnson on a four-year contract after the 23-year-old spent last season at Fratton Park on loan.

“It’s a fantastic move for me. It was an easy decision to make. It feels like I’ve never been away,” he said.

Pompey also signed Fulham’s Papa Bouba Diop.

At the same time Serbian Dejan Stefanovic has left Portsmouth to join Fulham for £1million on a two-year deal, subject to a work permit.

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez said: “Dejan is a formidable defender with vast experience at both domestic and international levels.

“He reads the game well, is brave and knows the pace and strength of the Premiership, so I have no doubt that he will prove to be an asset for us over the coming months.”

Premier League bottom side Derby hope to finalise a deal for Celtic striker Kenny Miller after agreeing a fee with the Scottish champions and being given permission to talk to the player.

Similarly, Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate concluded the signing of Mohamed Shawky from Egyptian side Al-Ahly for £650,000 on a three-year deal, while releasing the experienced Jason Euell to make a free transfer to Southampton.

However, Birmingham manager Steve Bruce admitted defeat in his attempt to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Peter Luccin.

Wigan boss Chris Hutchings made his ninth signing of the summer by bringing striker Marcus Bent in on loan from Charlton.

The Latics become Bent’s 10th club but Hutchings feels his experience will prove invaluable, saying: “Marcus has played the majority of his career in the top flight, he’s been there and done it, and knows how to look after himself at this level.” Bent’s arrival has allowed Wigan to sell Caleb Folan to Hull for a Tigers club record of £1million, with the 23-year-old signing a three-year contract.

Liverpool have added 19-year-old Lyon midfielder Damien Plessi to their reserve team squad, while Blackburn have allowed striker Paul Gallacher to go to Coca-Cola Championship side Preston on loan until January.

Fellow Championship side Charlton, meanwhile, have signed centre-half Sam Sodje on a season-long loan from Reading.

In Scotland, Rangers have signed 30-year-old Charlton midfielder Amdy Faye on a season-long loan.