Latest Transfer Update at 02-01-2012.

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Federico Macheda in action on his debut for QPR

QPR SEAL FEDERICO MACHEDA LOAN

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda has joined QPR on loan until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old becomes Neil Warnock's first signing of the January transfer window and will wear the number 33 shirt at Loftus Road.
Macheda spent a similar stint with Sampdoria in Serie A last season and hopes to gain valuable first-team experience during his time in west London.
"There is a lot of competition at Manchester United, there are some very good strikers there," Macheda told QPR's official website.
"But I am still young and I need to get more experience in the Premier League.
"I am here to train hard firstly and then I hope to play a big part in the games."
He added: "I was attracted by the challenge and by the players that QPR brought in during the summer.
"There are some very big players at the club now. I also know the fans are very, very passionate, and this interested me also."
Macheda revealed Rio Ferdinand - brother of Rs defender Anton - advised him to link up with Neil Warnock's side.
"I spoke with Rio and he told me that QPR is a very good club and that if I did come here it would be good for me and would help me to develop as a player," he said.
"I am looking forward to this challenge."
The former Lazio striker came to the public's attention when he scored an injury-time winner on his Manchester United debut against Aston Villa in April 2009.
Macheda scored a further four goals for United but his first-team chances have been limited, which QPR manager Warnock believes makes the loan deal a "great opportunity for both parties".
"Federico is not getting a regular game at United quite obviously because of the quality of the squad they've got," he said.
"Everybody in the league is in envy of what Sir Alex has there, but what he is trying to do is get Federico some game time in the Premier League.
"I am sure he is still a part of their future plans.
"I believe this can really work for us because he is positive and always in and around the box. He can finish too.
"He puts defenders under pressure, he's a strong lad and he's got a yard of pace as well.
"If we can get him the ball in the right areas I am sure he can get us a few goals.
"It's a great way for us to start the January transfer window.
"I have said all along that we want to get a couple of younger lads in and that's what we are going to do."

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Gylfi Sigurdsson: Returns to British shores

SWANS SWOOP FOR SIGURDSSON

Swansea have signed midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson on loan from Hoffenheim until the end of the season, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.
The Iceland international previously played for Reading and left the club in 2010 after Hoffenheim came in with an offer in excess of the Royals' transfer record of £6.5million.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has since played 36 league games for Hoffenheim, scoring nine times.
The German side's manager Ernst Tanner told his club's official website: "Gylfi missed the summer and most of our preparations due to injury and did not really kick on after that.
"We now hope that through this loan he will get some much needed match practice and get back to his former strength."

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Lukas Podolski: Linked with a move to Arsenal

PODOLSKI SET TO WAIT UNTIL SUMMER

Reported Arsenal target Lukas Podolski has as good as ruled out making a move away from Cologne in January.
The Germany international, who has also been linked with Lazio as well as the Gunners, wants to wait until the summer to make a decision on his future and, with Euro 2012 in mind, is wary of sacrificing a guaranteed first-team place at Cologne for an uncertain a new career in England or Italy.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted he is not interested in Podolski, but speculation continues to suggest the Frenchman wants the forward as cover for Gervinho.
The Ivory Coast international will leave for the African Cup of Nations in January and, after scoring 14 goals in 16 league games this season, Podolski is viewed as an ideal replacement.
Podolski is delaying contract talks with Cologne, with his current deal set to expire in 2013, but he is also adamant this is not a tactic to force a move.
He is quoted as saying: "I have always said that I have not been dictated by the pressures of time when deciding my future.
"I do not believe in lightning strikes, I must be clear. I believe that I will see everything in the summer.
"With Cologne, I hope to get as high as possible. I want to exceed the number of goals I scored last season.
"With the national team, I want to play in the European Championship in Poland, my homeland. We are among the favourites and our dream is to win the trophy. We cannot hide."
Podolski's agent, Kon Schramm, has also told the Guardian a move in the Bundesliga's winter break is, "all but impossible".

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Daniel Bogdanovic: Rochdale loan move

BOGDANOVIC JOINS DALE ON LOAN


Blackpool striker Daniel Bogdanovic has joined Rochdale on a 28-day loan.
The 31-year-old only joined the Seasiders in August from Sheffield United, but has failed to make an impact at Bloomfield Road.
He made a goalscoring Dale debut against Preston on Monday.