Europe's top clubs shunned any last-minute scramble for players on the final trading day of the season on Monday, with Premier league leader Chelsea making the only major deal by completing formalities to sign Juan Cuadrado. The 26-year-old winger left Fiorentina for around $40 million on a 4 1/2-deal as Chelsea offloaded Andre Schuerrle to German side Wolfsburg.
Cuadrado, who starred at the World Cup for Colombia, scored five goals in 17 matches for Fiorentina this season. He joins a Chelsea side competing for titles in the Premier league and Champions league, although the first chance for silverware comes in the March 1 league Cup final against Tottenham.
“This is a great club and honestly it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me,” Cuadrado said. Manchester United vice-captain Darren Fletcher was allowed to join West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer as the transfer window closed. The 31-year-old midfielder has spent his entire career at United, making 342 appearances and winning the league five times, but he has been unable to earn a place in louis van Gaal's starting lineup.
It was a busy transfer deadline day at Tottenham which started by tying its breakthrough player of the season to a new contract. The 21-year-old striker Harry Kane signed a deal through 2020 after scoring 20 goals in all competitions this campaign. Benoit Assou-Ekotto's Tottenham career is over after being released from his contract. The defender has not played for the club since May 2013 and spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers.
Winger Aaron lennon was sent on loan to Everton until the end of the season after losing his place in the team and starting only three league matches. Defender Ryan Bertrand's loan move from Chelsea to Southampton was made permanent. In south london, Crystal Palace signed up two wingers. Wilfried Zaha was already on loan from Manchester United, but has now permanently rejoined the club he left in 2013 on a 5½-year deal. Zaha, who was Alex Ferguson's last signing as Manchester United manager, made only four appearances for the club. South Korea international lee Chung-Yong joined Palace from Bolton on a contract through 2018.
Cahill joins Shanghai
Sydney: Australia midfielder Tim Cahill joined Shanghai Shenhua on Tuesday shortly after the New York Red Bulls announced he had left the club by mutual consent. “I'm at an age where I want to give something back to football and still play at a high level...I think it's exciting. To still be in demand and have the offers I've had is special but this will be massive for me as a player on and off the park,” said Cahill. Cahill scored 14 goals in two-and-a-half seasons since joining the Red Bulls in July 2012.