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Hughton: "We're close to signing de Guzman"
Having dwindled in the press spotlight for sometime now, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has admitted that the club are closing in on signing Dutch midfielder Jonathan de Guzman on a free transfer following his release from his contract with Feyenoord not so long ago. The young playmaker, who had numerous operations on his knees following recurring cruciate ligament damage, is close to signing for the Magpies, according to Hughton. De Guzman, who has been courted before by leading Premier League clubs, is once again in the middle of choosing his future, as he has to make a decision amongst a number of clubs who he is going to sign for ahead of the 2010-11 season.
More than thirteen clubs from around Europe have offered contracts to the Canadian-born 21-year-old, however Newcastle look the most likely bet to bring him to St. James' Park, being in the top-flight of one of the most competitive leagues in, not only Europe, but the world.
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"Gold and Sullivan show spending power as Hammers swoop for U.S. international Landon Donovan"
West Ham United have officially confirmed the signing of American forward Landon Donovan from MLS outfit L.A. Galaxy for £7million after completing his medical at Upton Park. Confirmed on the official website at WHUFC.co.uk, the signing of the 27-year-old from L.A. Galaxy has come to the delight of the Hammers supporters, as they lined up with banners, signs and sounds of appreciation, all wanting the autograph of their club's newest acquisition. This looks to of begun a new era for West Ham as David Gold and David Sullivan respectively pushed for this deal to go through and for Grant to put in a bid for Donovan, backing him with the money needed to complete the transfer.
Donovan, who has made over 100 appearances for his country, returns to England permanently with his new club in London. Going on loan to Merseysiders Everton last year, the ex-David Beckham team-mate can now look ahead with new challenges awaiting in the Premier League and putting a stamp of recognition on the league. Donovan was also handed the #10 jersey and can now feature alongside a potent attack, including Carlton Cole, Frederic Piquionne and Alessandro Diamanti, as new boss Avram Grant looks to put in a good start in his new job at Upton Park. It is rumoured now that Donovan will make his debut in the claret and blue shirt in the club's first game of the season at home to West Bromwich Albion on 15th August.
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Reo-Coker performance gifts Villains comfortable win in first European tie against Moldovan outsiders - reports BBC.co.uk/sport
Aston Villa 2-0 Zimbru Chisinau
Downing, 17 mins
Reo-Coker, 41 mins
The presence of Nigel Reo-Coker in Aston Villa's comforting 2-0 win over Moldovan side Zimbru Chisinau was very-much known by the Villa faithful as his hard-working performance and wonderful goal capped off a successful night for caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald, following the shock departure of Martin O'Neill from his post. The ex-West Ham United midfielder played an important role on the right-hand side of the defence, filling in for first-team fullback Luke Young in which he was able to play a more versatile role as well; getting forward, overlapping Young in counter-attacks, joining the attacks and picking out passes. It was a great showing by the 25-year-old on the night and quite honestly squashed a few rumours of a potential move away from the Midlands.
With veteraned shot-stopper Brad Friedel rested, his understudy Brad Guzan stepped up to the plate and take responsibilites between the sticks. Ahead of him were former Blackburn left back Stephen Warnock, former Luton town centre half Curtis Davies, Wales international James Collins and his former West Ham colleague Nigel Reo-Coker to make up a strong back four. In the three-man central midfield consisted of Stilyan Petrov, playing a more deeper, creative role behind the central two, with ex-Chelsea and Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell, alongside one of Villa's newest acquisitions in Stephen Ireland, following James Milner's big-money move to Manchester City, with Ireland going the other way.
Stewart Downing starred down the left-hand side for the Villains with Ashley Young on the opposite wing and Emile Heskey the frontman in an organised yet cool-minded 4-3-3 formation that didn't star the likes of wantaway striker John Carew, Luke Young, Brad Friedel, Carlos Cuellar and etc. etc. Kevin MacDonald's decision to bring in players who were sitting on the bench during the times of O'Neill was a smart one infact and can now look ahead with optimism to the next leg.
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Throughout the game, Villa dominated the possession and didn't allow Zimbru's forward the chance to exploit what looked an organised and well-structured backline, feeding the passes out wide to Downing and Young made even more sense why Heskey was playing ahead of the likes of Carew, Agbonlahor and Delfouneso. Emile's disallowed goal in the opening minutes of the game was an unlucky event for Villa, but didn't deter them from going again and again for goals and establishing a comfortable lead. Reo-Coker's impact on the game was a lot more evident during the first-half as a well-defended corner by Zimbru fell to the Villa defence for them to start again, allow Reo-Coker to make an impact - something he didn't fail to do. His bomb forward by taking the ball from inside Villa's half and deep into Zimbru's territory, laying it off, creating space for himself to get past their defenders and get into the box to smash one home was a delightful effort from which not many people expected from a player deputising at right-back. Stewart Downing's earlier goal of which was an adamant reaction from the former Middlesbrough captain showed how good Villa were looking ahead of the new season and their hunger to reach their long-awaited goal.
Speculation has risen in recent times that the Villain's have been trailing Standard Liege playmaker Steven Defour as a replacement for ageing Bulgarian midfielder Stilyan Petrov, as the club captain looks to future plans. 21-year-old Defour, rated at £2.8million, has also been courted by the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United too, giving Villa some stiff competition for the Belgian's signature.