Permanent Villa move for Davies

Aston Villa have completed the signing of defender Curtis Davies from West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee.
Davies, 23, made the switch across Birmingham last year on a season-long loan, but a ruptured Achilles tendon ruled him out for most of the season.
The deal had threatened to scupper a permanent move, with Davies unlikely to be fit for the start of the new season.
However, it has now gone through, with Davies having signed a four-year deal under Martin O'Neill at Villa Park.
And the centre-half, who was signed by West Brom from Luton for £3m in 2005, is targeting a return to full fitness in time to face his former club on 20 September.
"I think everyone knows what game I'm targeting," he told the Villa website. "It's a very tight thing but potentially I think I can be back for that.

"Obviously it will be down to the gaffer and I hope the team that starts the season gets off to a flier. I'm not going to expect to walk straight back into the team for any game.
"I just need to keep progressing, really. I can't worry about any one individual game, as much as I'd love to play that game, there's a lot more to the season - hopefully with a long European campaign coming up.
"I need to make sure I'm right for the whole season and not just the one game."

Everton move to end Round wrangle

Everton hope to solve a compensation row with Newcastle to allow coach Steve Round to be appointed assistant manager in time for pre-season training.
The 37-year-old's contract ends on 2 July and Everton hoped he could start work alongside David Moyes immediately.
But Newcastle insist they hold a one-year option on Round's deal.
"There is an issue over an option on the contract and the clubs are in on-going discussions over a solution," said an Everton spokesman.
"We believe it is something that can be sorted out to allow the appointment to be made."
Moyes is back at his desk on Wednesday and Everton report for pre-season training on Thursday - with Round hoping to be installed in his new job. But there is a clear dispute between the clubs over when Round's contract at St James' Park officially ends.
Moyes has been without a deputy since Alan Irvine left to take over as Preston manager in November, and he has now settled on the highly-rated Round.
The Burton-on-Trent-born former full-back was forced to retire from playing at Derby through injury after making just nine league appearances.

He then worked as a coach under Steve McClaren at Derby, and again when he took over at Middlesbrough. He was also part of the England backroom set-up under the former national coach.
Round had continued working for Middlesbrough but left when Gareth Southgate took over as manager and he was Sam Allardyce's first appointment when he took over as Newcastle manager.
Current Magpies boss Kevin Keegan is understood to have wanted to keep Round on, but he has not been offered a new contract.

Fulham complete deal for Kallio

Fulham have signed Finland defender Toni Kallio on a permanent two-year deal after he arrived at Craven Cottage on loan in January.
The versatile 29-year-old signed from Swiss side BSC Young Boys and played under Fulham boss Roy Hodgson during his time as Finland's coach.
Kallio, who can play in central defence and at left-back, previously played for HJK Helsinki and Molde FK.
Fulham have already signed Mark Schwarzer and Zoltan Gera this summer.

Blackburn fined after player row

Blackburn have been fined and warned as to their future conduct by the Football Association for "failing to control their players".
The charge centred on the reaction of Blackburn players after Rovers winger Morten Gamst Pedersen and Newcastle's Habib Beye clashed over a throw-in.
Rovers have been fined £10,000, £7,500 of which has been suspended until 31 May 2009.
Blackburn won 1-0 in the clash at Newcastle on 1 March.

Crespo released from Chelsea deal

Striker Hernan Crespo has officially left Chelsea after the Argentine's contract at Stamford Bridge expired.

Crespo, 33 on Saturday, joined Chelsea in 2003 and scored 10 league goals in his first season for the Blues.

But he never settled at the London club and was loaned to Italian side AC Milan a year later.

Crespo returned to win the Premier League title in 2005/06 but was soon back in Italy and has spent the past two seasons on loan at Inter Milan.


Crespo is now a free agent and following former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's appointment as Inter coach, he is reportedly keen to sign a permanent deal with the Italian champions.

Crespo was one of the first signings made by Claudio Ranieri after Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

"We thank Hernan for his efforts in a Chelsea shirt, and wish him well in the future," said a Chelsea statement.

Robinho linked with Chelsea move

Chelsea appear to have moved a step closer to signing Robinho after his agent claimed to have held talks with Blues sporting director Frank Arnesen.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has been strongly linked with the Real Madrid striker, 24, since taking over as Chelsea boss.

"It is true Chelsea are interested," Robinho's representative Vagner Ribeiro told Spanish sports daily AS.

"I met with Arnesen in London and he confirmed to me that Chelsea wanted my player for next season."

Brazil star Robinho played an important role in Real's league success last season, scoring 11 goals in 32 games.

He is keen to stay at the club but they reportedly want to sell him to help fund the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.

"Neither Robinho nor I like the fact that Real Madrid can use him as part exchange in their bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo," said Ribeiro.

"We don't like this attitude and we want Madrid to start valuing Robinho because at the moment they're not.

"Robinho's priority is to continue at Real Madrid, but he cannot stay in a place in which they don't recognise his talent and at the moment Real Madrid are not doing that and I'm not talking about money.

"I'm referring to the fact that they are undervaluing him in comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo."

Liverpool increase bid for Barry

Liverpool have made an increased offer of around £15m for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry.

BBC Sport understands the new bid does not include any potential extra payments that would take the deal nearer to Villa's £18m valuation.

Liverpool are now waiting for Villa's response to their renewed bid.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has said Barry, 27, will be granted his wish to join Liverpool - but only when his asking price is met.

Liverpool hope to finally resolve a protracted and increasingly acrimonious saga, but O'Neill is furious at how the Anfield club's interest in Barry became public.

Barry is scheduled to return to pre-season training with Villa on Thursday and is expected to confirm his desire to move to Liverpool.

O'Neill has been firm in his stance on the proposed move, saying: "If Liverpool meet our valuation, he will have his express wish to leave Villa Park granted."

Barry, 27, criticized Villa for not trying hard enough to keep him but O'Neill insists they want him to stay.

The player signaled his intention to move when he complained on Sunday about Villa's lack of urgency in speaking to him.

There's no going back, it's time for me to move on," he said.

"I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa.

"Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the manager for weeks.

"It's seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer's found time to be a pundit at Euro 2008, he hasn't found the time to speak to me.

"Have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing."

But O'Neill has hit back to vehemently deny Barry's claim.

"The chairman and I were surprised at Gareth's comments," he said.

"Contrary to what he said, we desperately wanted to keep him - and he knows that."

Barry captained England for the first time and scored his first international goal during the recent friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.

Liverpool are keen to partner Barry in midfield with his England colleague Steven Gerrard.

Spurs fail with Capel offer

Tottenham Hotspur have failed in a bid to sign winger Diego Capel from Sevilla.
Spurs head coach Juande Ramos was keen to return to his former club to sign the promising 20-year-old wideman.
The north London club reportedly matched the buy-out clause in Capel's contract, but Sevilla are under no obligation to sell as it can only be activated by an offer from another Spanish club.
The diminutive winger and Spain Under-20 international broke into the first team last season after progressing through the ranks at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
"He has a clause in his contract which is only valid for a Spanish team," said president Jose Maria Del Nido.
"We do not negotiate with any figure less than that. Tottenham made a superior bid and we said no."

PSG blame Boro over Digard

Paris St Germain have denied claims from midfielder Didier Digard that they are holding up his proposed move from France to Middlesbrough.
The 21-year-old Frenchman accused his current club of "incompetence" earlier in the week after his five million euros switch to the Riverside Stadium remained uncompleted two weeks after being agreed.
But the Ligue 1 club have denied they are behind the hold up and have pointed the finger firmly at the Teessiders.
"Twelve days after an agreement in principle between PSG and Middlesbrough for the transfer of Didier Digard, the directors are still waiting for bank guarantees from the English club," read a club statement.
"After two hours of discussion an agreement was come to. A rate of instalments for the payment of the transfer was also decided upon.
"Part of the details of the agreement on the part of the English club was to provide PSG with bank guarantees.
"Up until now these guarantees have not been presented. Nevertheless, negotiations continue in a climate of reciprocal confidence.
"In conclusion, the declarations by the PSG player Didier Digard are false especially as the player has wished to leave PSG since December 2007."

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Ronnie welcomes Scolari link

Reported Chelsea transfer target Ronaldinho was welcomed talk suggesting that he could be reunited with new Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Ronaldinho, 28, was part of Scolari's World Cup winning Brazil squad in Japan & South Korea in 2002.
The new Chelsea manager is reportedly keen to bring the playmaker to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona where he has been told he is surplus to requirements and Ronaldinho has admitted that would be an attractive proposition.
Manchester City, AC Milan and Internazionale are all also believed to be keen on signing the former world and European football of the year.
"I am a Barca player. I am only focused on training," he told Brazilian television.
"With respect to where I am going to play, if I will stay or if I will go, all that is in the hands of my brother (and agent).
"It is marvellous that Felipao (Scolari) is interested in signing me because he is an excellent coach. I have a lot of respect for him because I have known him since I was very young and he was coach of Gremio.
"If the chance came up to work with him again then it would be very good.
"We have a history together in the game, we won the World Cup, and that is something I will never forget."

Deco targets Blues success

Deco has set his sights on helping Chelsea to domestic and European glory after joining the Stamford Bridge club on a two-year deal for a fee of around £7million.

The 30-year-old Portugal international is the first player brought to the club by manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who will officially start work at his new job on Tuesday.

Deco was coached by the Brazilian during Euro 2008, but was allowed to leave Barcelona after slipping down the pecking order last season.

"It is good for me to be here and first of all I am very happy to be here," said the former FC Porto star.

"I am sure I have come at the right time to do great things and be able to help Chelsea go back to the way it was and come back to being the first one, not only in England but also to win the Champions League that has been their dream for so long.

"The Premier League is a great league and it is getting better and you can see that with the Champions League Final, where you had two English teams.

"It is great that we have so many great players here at Chelsea and it is great that there is the competition which is healthy for everybody and this just makes the team better.

"To have great players in any position just enhances the club. I know it is a new challenge but I am looking forward to it.

"I know I need a little bit of time to adapt but I am sure I will adapt quite well and quite fast and do my best for the team."

Meanwhile, the arrival of Deco has led to further speculation that fellow midfielder Frank Lampard will leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

The England international has been linked with a move to Internazionale and on Monday refused to rule out the possibility of being reunited with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at the Italian club.

Jose: No swift Lamps move

Jose Mourinho has cooled reports suggesting Frank Lampard will join him at new club Internazionale after suggesting the Chelsea midfielder will not make the move for another 12 months.
Lampard, 30, has been strongly linked with a move to the Italian champions where he would again link-up with his former Stamford Bridge mentor.
The speculation has intensified following new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari's decision to bolster his midfield with the capture of Deco from Barcelona.
But although suggesting Lampard will join Inter, Mourinho claims the move is likely to take place in 12 months' time when the England international will be out of contract and available on a free transfer.
"This season? I don't think so," the Portuguese coach told The Sun.
"Why won't he? Well, it's not because we don't want him to, but I'm sure Chelsea and Chelsea's officials don't want to sell him.
"However for the next season it will be easier for him to join me at Inter.
"I'm 100 per cent sure in 2009/2010 he will be playing here."

Portsmouth have signed Ben Sahar from Chelsea on a six-month loan deal.

The 18-year-old Israel striker has made three appearances for Chelsea's first team and had spells on loan at QPR and Sheffield Wednesday last season.
Sahar, who joined Chelsea from Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2006, is set to taste Uefa Cup football with Pompey this season.
"Portsmouth are a great team who can win trophies. They are now in Europe and that will be a big challenge as well," Sahar told the club's website.
Dutch side NEC Nijmegen were among the clubs hoping to sign Sahar on loan.
But a spell with the FA Cup winners will enable Chelsea to keep a closer eye on his progress and Sahar will challenge Jermain Defoe, David Nugent and Kanu for a place in Pompey boss Harry Redknapp's attack.
Sahar added: "I'm ready for the challenge of being part of such a big club like Portsmouth. I want to be part of it and to show that I deserve to be here.
"I've heard a lot of good things about Harry Redknapp, the club and the staff and they obviously had a very good season."

Ljungberg to quit internationals

Sweden captain Freddie Ljungberg has quit international football to focus on playing for his club side West Ham.
"The physical strain of playing for the national team and in club football for such a long time has finally taken its toll," said the midfielder.
"I have loved every match, especially the outstanding support that you the fans have always given us players."
Ljungberg, 31, was handed the captain's armband for Euro 2008 but an ageing Sweden went out at the group stage.
After recording only one win in Group D - over 2004 champions Greece - it was predicted that a number of Sweden's older players would call time on their international career and Ljungberg is the first to make that move official.

"I will carry on playing football at the highest level in the Premier League for several more years and I love this sport more than anything," added Ljungberg, who made his announcement in a letter released via the website of Swedish newspaper Helsingborg Dagbladet.
Vittsjo-born Ljungberg earned 75 caps and scored 14 goals for his country.
He joined West Ham prior to the start of last season after spending nine trophy-laden years at London rivals Arsenal but has suffered a number of injuries recently, including a cracked rib in April.
He has three years left on his contract with West Ham.

Rams agree deal for Albrechtsen

Derby County have agreed a deal to sign West Brom defender Martin Albrechtsen.
The 28-year-old Denmark international is out of contract with the Premier League new boys and will join the Rams on a free transfer.
"A deal has been agreed," Derby boss Paul Jewell told BBC Radio Derby. "He's a Bosman and a good signing for us.
"He can play at right-back and at left-back, he has good pace and he will give us even more competition for the centre-half position."
Albrechtsen made 138 senior appearances in four seasons at The Hawthorns.
Baggies boss Tony Mowbray added: "The era of Bosman means the incentives offered by clubs to out-of-contract players are often decisive in whether a player stays or leaves.
"We will continue to push forward in our bid to find new faces to strengthen the squad."

Potters have Fulop bid rejected

Sunderland have rejected a bid of £1.7m from Stoke City for Marton Fulop, BBC Radio Stoke has learnt.

The Potters are now expected to make an improved bid, probably around the £2m mark for the Hungarian goalkeeper.
Fulop spent less than a week on loan with Potters in February, his spell at the Britannia Stadium being cut short when he was recalled by Roy Keane.
The 25-year-old former Spurs keeper has seen his chances with the Black Cats limited by the arrival of Craig Gordon.

Liverpool face battle for Keane

Liverpool have launched a surprise move to sign Tottenham striker Robbie Keane - but may be priced out of a deal for the Republic of Ireland star.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos is an admirer of Liverpool forward Peter Crouch and Anfield boss Rafael Benitez is happy to make him part of an exchange deal.
BBC Sport understands Liverpool would be willing to offer Crouch plus cash to sign 28-year-old Keane.
But they fear Spurs will demand £20m for Keane, wrecking a possible deal.
Spurs have not received a transfer request from Keane, despite reports claiming he had demanded to leave White Hart Lane.
Liverpool's transfer plans are currently focused on concluding the protracted and acrimonious pursuit of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry.
Barry has publicly stated his desire to move to Liverpool - and while Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he is willing to do business, the current price tag of at least £18m is out of Liverpool's reach.

Benitez's interest in Keane is an unexpected development but, with Crouch likely to go and Portsmouth still his most likely destination and Andriy Voronin struggling to make an impact, he is seen as an ideal partner for Spain's Euro 2008 hero Fernando Torres.
Keane is under contract with Spurs until 2012, having signed a new five-year contract in May 2007.
He was an influential figure last season, scoring 23 goals in a campaign that was capped by the Carling Cup going to White Hart Lane - and Liverpool's move will receive no encouragement.
But reports suggest Keane may be tempted to make the switch by the lure of playing Champions League football at Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy.
He joined Tottenham from Leeds for £7m in August 2002 and has also played for Wolves, Coventry and Inter Milan
Liverpool, meanwhile, may have to wait until European champion Xabi Alonso returns from holiday before they can sort out the Spanish midfielder's future.
Alonso is on a three-week break after being part of Spain's successful Euro 2008 squad, leaving a possible £16m move to Juventus in limbo and boss Benitez waiting to discover if he will get a fresh injection of transfer funds.

Hull City to appoint extra coach

Hull City are to add to their coaching staff in time for their maiden Premier League season, report BBC Look North.
Boss Phil Brown is holding interviews to find someone to work alongside coach Steve Parkin and assistant Brian Horton at the KC Stadium.
He said: "I'm meeting with a potential coach to bolster our backroom staff."
The manager also revealed that he will be talking to potential new players who he is hoping to sign. Winger Stelios Giannakopoulos has been linked to City.
The Greek international was recently released by Brown's former club Bolton Wanderers.

Barton admits team-mate assault

Premier League footballer Joey Barton has admitted assaulting a former team-mate in a training ground row.

The Newcastle United midfielder changed his plea ahead of a trial and admitted assaulting Ousmane

during a training ground row on 1 May last year.
The 25-year-old repeatedly punched Dabo as he lay dazed on

the ground, Manchester Minshull Crown Court heard.
The ex-Manchester City player is currently serving a six-month jail term for an attack in Liverpool.
The trial, which had been due to start more than a year after the incident, was put back until after the season had ended for the convenience of witnesses.
Many of them are involved in professional football. Outlining the events at Manchester City's training ground on May 1 last year, prosecutor Richard Vardon said it was an "explosive combination of football and violence".

Barton and Dabo confronted each other after a row during a training match, the court was told.
Dabo, 31, was said to have felt intimidated that Barton had invaded his personal space as he shouted and swore at him.
The Frenchman pushed his shoulder with both hands and Barton retaliated by punching him in the head, causing the Frenchman to fall over and lose consciousness.
Mr Vardon said several witnesses said Barton continued to punch Dabo while he lay on top of the player, who was in a dazed state.
One player, Georgios Samaras, said he had never seen such a violent incident on a training pitch in all his career, the prosecutor added.
Barton, who admitted one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), will be sentenced on Tuesday.

In May Barton was jailed after an attack in Liverpool which took place two days after Christmas.
CCTV images showed the footballer punching a man 20 times.
Later in May Barton was cleared of vandalising a taxi during a night out in Merseyside.
The Liverpool-born footballer was sold by City to Newcastle in a £5.8m deal last summer, signing a five-year contract.
Newcastle United said it was not commenting on Monday's hearing.
Dabo, 31, is now playing for Rome side Lazio and was in court to hear Barton plead guilty.

Man Utd limit transfer activity

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects to sign only one player in the summer transfer market.
"Managers are back at their clubs and you can get some dialogue now if they are interested," he said.
"But I wouldn't think we would buy any more than one player. We are looking at one or two things."
Ferguson refused to discuss the future of Cristiano Ronaldo but did mention him in a list of young players he feels will improve next season.
Ronaldo has recently expressed his desire to join Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer but it is believed he and Ferguson have not spoken since late May when the 23-year-old left to join a Euro 2008 training camp.
Ferguson also revealed that veterans Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Saar will all play an important part for United next season.
"I think we have a good team," the United boss said. "But I think there is still some development to come.
"There are some young players who appeared last season that did very well but for periods showed their youthfulness by being inconsistent.
"But that triumph of winning the league and the Champions League can only help us and players like Anderson, Nani, (Wayne) Rooney and Ronaldo will emerge from that and be really top players for us.

"Nani and Anderson will improve and that is the reason we bought them, to replace Scholes and Giggs in the long term.
"Giggs is 34 now but with the way we can control the number of games he plays, he still gives us a bit of real quality.
"And without question Scholes will give us another couple of years at the top level.
"Van der Sar has looked after himself, that's the key to it first of all, and he will be back for us."
Ferguson also said that Gary Neville still features in his plans despite suffering with injury for much of last season.
"Of course at 33 it is always difficult if you have been out of the team for a year.
"But he is such a determined character that you wouldn't bet against him and if he does, it gives us another string to our bow in terms of experience which is important at stages of the season.
"He still has the desire and of course he is the captain of the club and that will give him the incentive to get back.
"He knows when he come back he will be the captain."
Last summer the club spent over £50m, adding Owen Hargreaves, Anderson, Carlos Tevez and Nani to their squad but are yet to delve into the market this time around.
They missed out on the signing of teenager Aaron Ramsay who opted to join Arsenal instead and have also been linked with moves for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov and Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz.
United's pre-season training starts on Wednesday but players involved in Euro 2008 have been granted extended leave.

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Hughes names new Man City coaches

Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of Eddie Niedzwiecki as first team coach and Kevin Hitchcock as the club's new goalkeeping coach.
Both worked at Blackburn under Mark Hughes, who recently left Ewood Park to take over as City manager.
Ex-Chelsea and Wales keeper Niedzwiecki coached at Chelsea and Arsenal before moving to Blackburn in 2004.
Hitchcock, who was also a keeper for Chelsea, joined Blackburn after a spell on the coaching staff at Watford.
The pair were both widely tipped to join Hughes at Eastlands before the start of the new season.

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Cardiff add McCormack and Dennehy

Cardiff have signed Scotland striker Ross McCormack from Motherwell and defender Darren Dennehy from Everton.
McCormack, 21, was a target for Wigan and Middlesbrough in January but has opted to join the Bluebirds after reaching the end of his contract.
Dennehy, 19, was offered new terms by Everton but chose to move on.
Cardiff full-back Kevin McNaughton, who played when McCormack made his Scotland debut against Czech Republic on 30 May, has agreed a new three-year deal.

"This is further evidence that we are putting together a squad that can compete to gain promotion to the Premier League," said Cardiff chairman Peter Risdale.
Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Dennehy graduated from the Goodison Park academy and can play at centre-back and in midfield.
McCormack started his senior career with Rangers and hit the headlines when he scored in a 1-1 Champions League draw away to Porto.
But he was loaned out to Doncaster later that season and left Ibrox in 2006 after making just 14 appearances for the Ibrox club.
McCormack's first season with Motherwell was plagued by injury and he scored just three times in 15 appearances.
However, he enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, finding the net 11 times.
McNaughton arrived at Ninian Park from Aberdeen two years ago and was one of Cardiff's most consistent performers last season.

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Mourinho plays down Lampard talk

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho says he does not expect to sign Frank Lampard this summer - but is "100% sure" he will rejoin him in Italy in a year.
The 30-year-old midfielder is a top target for his ex-Chelsea boss after Deco's £8m arrival at Stamford Bridge.
But Mourinho hinted Lampard may see out the last year of his deal.
He said: "For the next season it will be easier for him to join me at Inter. I'm 100% sure in 2009/2010 he will be playing here."

Mourinho believes Chelsea will resist any moves for Lampard from Inter this summer as new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari prepares to take charge.
"This season? I don't think so. Why won't he? Well, it's not because we don't want him to but I'm sure Chelsea officials and Chelsea and don't want to sell him," stated Mourinho.
Lampard is into the final 12 months of his contract at Chelsea and he is yet to commit his future to the club after reports that talks on a four-year deal had stalled.
And, despite Mourinho's downbeat message, BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard still believes a deal to take Lampard to Serie A is on the cards.
He said: "Deco's arrival looks like hastening the departure of Frank Lampard, who has done little to quell long-term speculation that he is bound for a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.
"Barring a last-minute change of heart on both sides, it's a question of when he signs in Italy, not if."

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Bolton sign £10m-rated Elmander

Bolton Wanderers have signed Sweden striker Johan Elmander on a three-year deal from French club Toulouse for an undisclosed transfer fee.
The move sees Norway striker Daniel Braaten going the other way in a deal believed to be worth about £10m.
"He is a player who will get us goals and create other opportunities for his team-mates," Bolton manager Gary Megson said of the 27-year-old Elmander.

He started in two of Sweden's three Euro 2008 group matches.
Megson has been tracking Elmander's progress since January, when he tried to sign him as a replacement for the Chelsea-bound Nicolas Anelka.
The former Brondby striker netted a hat-trick against Bordeaux in the final match of the 2007 season, guiding his side to third in France's Ligue 1 as well as clinching a Champions League qualifying slot.

But the 2008 season finished in complete contrast to the year before as Toulouse narrowly avoided relegation, finishing in 17th place.
Elmander made his Sweden debut in 2002 and has featured 38 times for his country, scoring 11 goals.
He becomes the second new signing at the Reebok Stadium after the £5m capture of Fabrice Muamba from Birmingham.
And Megson said he expected more new faces before the start of next season.
"I am still on the lookout for other players to boost the quality of our squad," he said.

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Villa prepared to let Barry leave

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill says Gareth Barry can leave for Liverpool - if the Anfield club meet their valuation of the England midfielder.
Liverpool had a second bid of £13m turned down two weeks ago and reports suggest Villa will only sell for £18m.
"If Liverpool meet our valuation, he will have his express wish to leave Villa Park granted," said O'Neill.
Barry, 27, criticised Villa for not trying hard enough to keep him but O'Neill insists they want him to stay.
Barry has told Villa he wants to sign for Liverpool and they still hope to sell Xabi Alonso to Juventus to help fund the deal, but are yet to receive a firm offer.

BBC Sport understands that manager Rafael Benitez will make an improved offer to sign the Aston Villa captain in a renewed attempt to bring the acrimonious saga to a conclusion.
O'Neill has been critical of Liverpool's pursuit of Barry, who signalled his intention to move when he complained on Sunday about Villa's lack of urgency in speaking to him.

"There's no going back, it's time for me to move on," he said.
"I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa.
"Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the manager for weeks.
"It's seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer's found time to be a pundit at Euro 2008, he hasn't found the time to speak to me.
"Have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing."

But O'Neill has hit back to vehemently deny Barry's claim.
"The chairman and I were surprised at Gareth's comments," he said.
"Contrary to what he said, we desperately wanted to keep him - and he knows that."

Barry captained England for the first time and scored his first international goal during the recent friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
Liverpool are keen to partner Barry in midfield with his England colleague Steven Gerrard and have declared their interest publicly, much to O'Neill's fury.
Freeing up the required funds for Barry could pose a problem for Benitez, as the Anfield boss has admitted he is expecting to have a reduced transfer budget as a result of the feud between American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

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Adebayor future remains undecided

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor appeared to send out mixed messages when he went back on an initial claim that he was staying at Arsenal.
The 24-year-old, who has been courted by AC Milan, said: "The most important thing for me is to keep on enjoying my football. I'm staying at Arsenal."
But later he then added: "We will have to meet with the manager [Arsene Wenger] before anything can be decided.
"But, as you know better than anyone, a lot of teams want me to play for them."
Adebayor, who scored 30 goals for Arsenal last season, has been a target for both AC Milan and Barcelona with the Italian club making it public knowledge that he is their main target this summer.
The Togo international added: "I'm just going to sit down with my agent and with my family and decide what is good for my career."
Should talks ever take place over a move, the former Monaco forward insisted money would not be a factor.

"When I was young I had a dream to be a good footballer and play for a big team," said Adebayor, who was in Vienna with his sponsors.
"I was born in Togo so I never cared about playing for money, my happiness was to play to enjoy myself. That's what I've been doing until now.
"You can see people changing clubs because of money, because they want a change of atmosphere or to get their names in the big leagues. I just play football to enjoy myself. I play because I love it."
One Arsenal player who has already made the move to Milan is Mathieu Flamini.
The French midfielder joined the 2007 Champions League winners this summer after his contract with the Gunners came to an end.
Arsenal boss Wenger, who has also been in Austria for Euro 2008, had wanted to keep his countryman at the Emirates Stadium, but Flamini felt it was in his best interests to leave.
Adebayor thinks that Flamini, who impressed as a holding midfielder last season, will be missed.
"He was one of Arsenal's biggest players," Adebayor said. "He's a good man, a good character and a good footballer.

"But he's made his decision and he's very happy to have signed for Milan. He has all the qualities to become a bigger player than he was at Arsenal."
Still, Adebayor believes Arsenal will thrive without Flamini and hailed the team spirit in the camp.
"Everyone is between 21 and 26-years-old, we are all the same generation," he said. "We all have the same ideas, we go out together after games to restaurants.
"We all have the same ideas and we all want to achieve something. We have a good boss which is Arsene Wenger. He tries to bring this atmosphere to the dressing room where we feel like brothers and like family.
"Those are the reasons that give us a chance to play the football we play. We play good football, now we look forward to winning trophies."

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