Latest Football Transfer News 30-06-2012

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Logan signs Bees extension
Last Updated: June 30, 2012 2:51pm


Logan: Agrees new deal


Brentford defender Shaleum Logan has signed a new contract at Griffin Park ahead of the new season.
The 24-year-old, who joined the Bees from Manchester City last summer, made 27 appearances in his first campaign in west London and has now agreed terms on a new deal.
"We are delighted that we have come to an agreement with Shaleum and continue our working relationship," manager Uwe Rosler told the club's official website.
"The player is happy and the club is happy."

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Kanoute leaves Sevilla

Striker moving to China on two-year deal with Beijing Guoan
Last Updated: June 30, 2012 4:43pm

Frederic Kanoute: Moving to China on a two-year contract

Sevilla have described Frederic Kanoute as a 'legendary player' after announcing the striker has joined Chinese side Beijing Guoan on a two-year deal.
The former Mali forward spent seven seasons with the Primera Liga club after signing in 2005 from English Premier League side Tottenham.
Kanoute made more than 200 appearances for Sevilla, scoring 136 goals in 290 games, and helped propel the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan club to two UEFA Cups.
The 34-year-old's move to Beijing does not come as a surprise after he revealed talks in China earlier in June and Sevilla have now confirmed his departure.
A statement on the Spanish club's official website regarding Kanoute read: "The legendary Sevilla player, arguably the best in recent times and perhaps in history, has been signed by the Beijing Guoan for two seasons."

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McPake makes permanent move
Last Updated: June 30, 2012 3:39pm


McPake: Delighted to sign


James McPake has signed for Hibernian on a two-year deal after captaining the Edinburgh side to SPL survival and the Scottish Cup final.
The 28-year-old Northern Ireland international moved to Easter Road in January and impressed sufficiently in 15 appearances for manager Pat Fenlon to make the deal permanent.
"It's an honour to play for Hibs again," said McPake, who joined from League One Coventry.
"From day one, I felt at home at the club and I developed a special relationship with the supporters.
"I'm excited to be part of what will be a new-look Hibernian team and I'm looking forward to playing my part in bringing success back to this football club."


McPake, who last featured in the 5-1 Scottish Cup final defeat to Hearts, will join up with the club for Monday's first day of pre-season training and joins fellow defender Tim Clancy in joining Hibs this term.
"It's absolutely fantastic that we've been able to bring James back to the club on a permanent basis," Fenlon said. "We have had to be patient and persistent but all the work has been worthwhile.
"Every team needs a strong leader and James is my captain - he leads by example and sets himself high standards.
"He made a really positive impact during his loan spell and moving forward he will play a major role in the ongoing development of the club over the next few seasons.


"At the core of every successful team are strong-minded competitors and James will also help to bring on the younger players in the squad.
"With the arrivals of Tim and now James, we have started to make good progress towards rebuilding the squad and bringing in the right characters.
"There is much more to be done and we will keep working away trying to secure our other targets."

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Laurent Blanc steps down
Last Updated: June 30 2012, 17:25 BST

Laurent Blanc is to step down as coach of France, the French Football Federation have announced.


Laurent Blanc: Leaves France job


Reports emerged earlier on Saturday that the former Bordeaux boss would not be continuing with Les Bleus following a meeting with the FFF.

• France

Spain	2 - 0	France
Sweden	2 - 0	France
Ukraine	0 - 2	France
France	1 - 1	England

• France Results

The FFF then confirmed the 46-year-old would not be renewing his contract following France's exit from Euro 2012 following a 2-0 defeat by Spain at the quarter-final stage.
The former national team defender took over from Raymond Domenech after France's disastrous 2010 World Cup where they crashed out at the group stage.
Blanc inherited a disunited group still smarting from their exit but managed to knit the team back together and with Karim Benzema having established himself as one of Europe's top players under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, France were tipped to be outside contenders in Poland and Ukraine.


However, they went out with a whimper against Vicente del Bosque's finalists and this was followed by Samir Nasri having a foul-mouthed argument with a reporter.
Now Blanc has decided his time is up after just two years in charge with Didier Deschamps favourite to succeed him after he indicated his intention to leave Marseille.
A statement on the FFF website read: "Within the period provided for reflection, Laurent Blanc, on Saturday contacted the President of the FFF, Noel Le Graet, to indicate his decision not to seek the renewal of his contract of national coach.


"Mr Le Graet has acknowledged and applauded the work of Laurent Blanc at the head of the France team since August 2010.
"The executive committee of the federation is meeting on Tuesday but no comments will be made by the FFF and its president before the press conference scheduled at the conclusion of this work session."
Blanc has immediately been linked with the vacancy at English Premier League side Tottenham following the departure of Harry Redknapp.


LAURENT BLANC FACTFILE
1965: Born in Ales on November 19.
1983: Begins his career with Montpellier, aged 18.
1987: Helps the club to the Ligue 2 title.
1988: Earns a call-up to the successful France team at the European Under-21 Championship.
1990: Wins his first Coupe de France with Montpellier after a 2-1 victory in the final against Racing Club de Paris.
1991: Signs for Italian side Napoli.
1992: Returns to France with Nimes, subsequently signing for St Etienne a year later.
1996: After joining Auxerre at the start of the season, helps the club to a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double. Signs for Barcelona.
1998: Having won a Spanish Super Cup, signs for Marseille. Wins the World Cup with France, although his campaign is marred by a controversial sending-off in the semi-final, Croatia's Slaven Bilic feigning injury as Blanc is dismissed for use of the elbow. 1999: Features in the UEFA Cup final but his poor back-pass allows Hernan Crespo to score one of Parma's goals in a 3-0 win.
2000: Helps his country follow up their World Cup success by winning the European Championship as David Trezeguet's extra-time golden goal settles the final against Italy. Blanc's goal against Denmark in the group stage takes his international record to 16 goals in 97 caps before he retires at the end of the tournament. His Inter Milan team are defeated in the Italian Cup final by Lazio.
2001: Joins Manchester United, with whom he wins the 2003 Premier League title.
2003: Retires from playing at the end of the 2002/03 campaign.
2007: Appointed coach of Bordeaux, his first coaching job.
2009: Guides Les Girondins to a Ligue 1 and Coupe de la Ligue double.
2010: May 16 - Leaves Bordeaux after a disappointing season, prompting France Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes to confirm Blanc is his preferred choice to replace Raymond Domenech as national team coach after World Cup.
May 20 - The French Football Federation reach an agreement with Bordeaux for Blanc to become national-team coach.
2011: May 10 - Cleared to continue in his job following investigation into the racial quotas row. It had been claimed that Blanc and other coaches were seeking to introduce limits on the presence of ethnic minority players entering the national set-up.
October 11 - Guides France to 1-1 draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina in their final Euro 2012 qualifier, meaning Les Bleus top group by one point and qualify for finals in Poland and Ukraine.
2012: June 19 - France finish second in Group D, behind England, after losing 2-0 to Sweden, ending their 23-game unbeaten run.
June 23 - France beaten 2-0 by Spain in Euro 2012 quarter-finals.
June 30 - Informs the FFF he is leaving his post as France coach.

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Whittaker off to Norwich
Last Updated: June 30 2012, 15:20 BST



Norwich have announced the signing of Scotland defender Steven Whittaker on a four-year deal, subject to international clearance.


Steven Whittaker: Joining Norwich from Rangers


The 28-year-old was a free agent having rejected the transfer of his contract to the newco Rangers and he become new manager Chris Hughton's first signing.
Whittaker enjoyed a successful five years at Ibrox following a £2million move from Hibernian, winning Scottish Premier League titles, Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.

• Player Profile

16. Steven Whittaker

Appearances	0 (0)
Goals	0
Assists	0
Yellows	0
Reds	0

*Current Season

Hughton told the club's official website: "In Steven we have a player who is very versatile - he can play anywhere across the back four and anywhere across midfield, so there's plenty of versatility there.
"It's probably a good time for him. Sometimes it is time to move on to a different club and go there with a lot of enthusiasm and he has international experience too.
"He has of course been used to playing at a very high level when he was at Rangers and in a lot of big games with a passionate crowd behind him.

"So the stage of the Premier League is certainly one that won't faze him with his experience."
Whittaker, who also appeared in Rangers' 2008 UEFA Cup final defeat by Zenit St Petersburg, said: "All of my experience to date has been in Scotland so I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Premier League, I'm very excited about it.


"When I spoke to Chris Hughton I was very impressed with his plans to progress Norwich City and everyone I've spoken to in the game has had nothing but praise for the club and the city of Norwich.
"I know (midfielder) Simon Lappin from a few years back and of course I know (defender) Russell Martin from Scotland and I am looking forward to meeting up with the squad and the staff."