In the news !

Hleb to Barcelona !

The Catalan club confirmed the deal this morning, and he has officially been unveiled as a Barcelona player now, less that 24 hours after the departure of Ronaldinho.The midfielder had been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium for a number of months as he sought a new challenge, and the rumours intensified after some rather explosive comments from his agent last month.He denied allegations of a rift with manager Arsene Wenger or team-mate Cesc Fabregas, but it had been known for a while that his time with Arsenal was as good as over. The signing of Samir Nasri was what saw the Gunners give the nod, and he now moves to Camp Nou to replace Ronaldinho.Internazionale were said to be interested in him - even accused of making an illegal approach - something the player and the club denied, but it is the Catalans who sealed a deal worth 15 million euros, and five more based on results and performances.

Hleb told Barcelona's television channel: "I love this club."I spoke with Guardiola and it's good to know he wants me. I'll give my best to this team and I want to win everything with Barça."

Nasri to Arsenal !

After a drawn-out process that was punctuated by EURO 2008 and the odd false start, Nasri has finally made the move from Marseille to north London for an undisclosed fee.Although renowned as a classical playmaker, it is expected the 21-year-old will take up a role on the flanks – a move Arsene Wenger has used before with Tomas Rosicky, Aliaksandr Hleb and most notably Robert Pires.

But Nasri knows he will get chances regardless of where he plays, and insisted he is keen to start working with his manager and team-mates as soon as possible. "The fact that Arsène Wenger gives great opportunities to young players is very important for me," he told the club’s official website. "Arsène has a great reputation and he is one of the best managers in the world. He has proved that he puts a lot of confidence in the young players and he gives them a chance. "It was very important for me to have such a great manager to work with and I’m really looking forward to working with both Arsène Wenger and all my new team-mates."French ConnectionNasri follows a long line of French stars to don the red and white of Arsenal since Wenger became manager in 1996 – Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira foremost among them.

The les Bleus gun revealed that he has received nothing but glowing references about the club, and he expects to slot right in at the Emirates, having already played alongside several of his new team-mates."Yes, I know all the French players," Nasri continued. "Of course, I have played with William Gallas in the national team and was with him in the France squad for the Euro 2008 championships. "I have also played with Gael Clichy and Abou Diaby in the France Under-21 team. So I don’t arrive in an unfamiliar place. He added: "I know Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira very well and they have told me a lot of good things about Arsenal Football Club.

They both had amazing times at this Club and, even talking to them now, they are still very enthusiastic about Arsenal. "Both Thierry and Patrick have given me a lot of advice and they both told me that it was the best choice for me to come to Arsenal."

Ronaldinho : “I am very happy, after a long time I'm here,”

The former European and World Footballer of the Year completed his long drawn-out move to Milan from Barcelona last night in a deal worth around €21m.The 28-year-old boarded a plane from Barcelona to Milan today, and arrived at Malpensa International Airport at 13:00 CET.Ronaldinho was greeted by Milan directors Leonardo and Ariedo Braida, with legions of fans repeatedly shouting out “Ronaldinho, Ronaldinho.”

The Brazilian, sporting a hip-hop look with a New York Yankees cap worn the wrong way, saluted his supporters, before offering his first declarations to Milan Channel.“I am very happy, after a long time I'm here,” said Ronaldinho.“I'm very happy to have arrived at Milan and I hope to give a lot of joy to everybody."It's true, I confirm I really wanted Milan. Many things have happened and in the end I am a Rossonero. I'm happy to be here, and I repeat, I hope to make the Milan crowd happy.“It's great to find a lot of Brazilians, but also the many champions who wear the Milan shirt. I'm happy about everything, I'm here with other Brazilians like me but also with all the others.”

Ronaldinho then left for Milanello, and upon his arrival at 13:30 he was greeted by hundreds of Milan fans. He shook the hand of Coach Carlo Ancelotti before being offered a tour around his new club.

posted by Midnight Sun @ 00:58,

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