Eduardo thrilled by Arsenal transfer

Arsenal FC have moved swiftly to replace Thierry Henry after agreeing a deal to sign NK Dinamo Zagreb striker Eduardo da Silva for an undisclosed fee thought to be a Croatian record.Four-year dealThe Brazilian-born 24-year-old signed for Dinamo in 1998 from CBF Nova Kennedy and has since become a Croatian international. He has finalised terms for a contract until 2011 subject to a medical and has flown to London with Dinamo sport director Zoran Mamić. 'Excited and happy'Eduardo said: "I am excited and happy in the same time, also a very proud that I am going to play in such a big club. Every football player want to play for [FC] Barcelona, Real [Madrid CF], Manchester United [FC] or Arsenal one day and so do I. I want to progress in my career, but it is be hard to leave Dinamo Zagreb after eight years. I will miss the club, the guys...I will be back one day, but now I want to accept a new challenge." Mirko Barišić, NK Dinamo Zagreb president, added: "I think the transfer is worth €24m from the money Arsenal got after selling Henry to Barcelona." Record tallyEduardo has been the top scorer in the Croatian First League for the last two seasons, scoring a divisional record 34 goals in 2006/07 as Dinamo retained the title, taking the tally to 47 in all club competitions. A message on Dinamo's website read: "Eduardo, thank you for all that you gave to our team and we wish you a successful career at one of the most respected clubs on the world."Stadium firstEduardo scored the first competitive goal at Arsenal's new stadium in Dinamo's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round defeat last August and two months later struck against England in a UEFA EURO 2008™ fixture. Arsenal enter the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round again in August.

Rovers seal Rigters swoop

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the signing of Dutch striker Maceo Rigters.Skysports.com exclusively revealed on Monday that Rigters was in England and talking with Rovers.Now the club have confirmed the signing of the 23-year-old on a four-year deal.Celtic, Norwich and Newcastle all held out hope that they could land Rigters - but Blackburn have won the race for the coveted youngster.Rovers have paid an undisclosed fee to the player's previous club NAC Breda - but it is understood to be less than £1million due to a clause in his contract.The Rigters deal was the second transfer completed within 24 hours by Rovers after they announced the capture of Faroe Islands keeper Gunnar Nielsen

Rovers recruit keeper

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the arrival of BK Frem goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen.The Faroe Islands Under 21 international has signed a two-year deal at Ewood Park - with the option of a further year - after the Premier League club paid what they described as a 'small fee' to secure his signature.Nielsen impressed whilst on trial at Blackburn at the end of April and is now hoping to forge a successful career in England having signed a permanent deal."I am very pleased, it is a massive opportunity for me just to develop in the best league in the world," Nielsen told the club's official website."It is a great opportunity, I'm really looking forward to it."Rovers boss Mark Hughes was quick to underline that Nielsen is far from the finished product."He is a very raw talent who hasn't had a great deal of football at any kind of level," said Hughes."However, in the short time that he was here he impressed us. The raw material is there."

Red Devils confirm trio

Manchester United have completed the triple signing of Nani, Anderson and Tomasz Kuszczak.Nani and Anderson have penned five-year deals with the Red Devils as Sir Alex Ferguson continues to strengthen last season's title winning side.Portuguese winger Nani comes in from Sporting Lisbon, while Brazilian midfielder Anderson has arrived from Porto.Polish stopper Kuszczak has signed a permanent deal with United after spending a successful loan spell at Old Trafford last term.United are expected to unveil the trio, alongside new boy Owen Hargreaves, in the not too distant future.

Geremi clinches move to Newcastle

Cameroon international utility man Geremi has joined Newcastle from Chelsea on a free transfer, subject to receiving a work permit. The 28-year-old has agreed personal terms and passed his medical. Geremi, who can play at right-back or anywhere in midfield, was wanted by several Premier League sides. Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has already signed midfielder Joey Barton, striker Mark Viduka and defender David Rozehnal this summer. Allardyce and his players left for a pre-season training camp in Austria on Tuesday morning, and Geremi could join them provided his application for a work permit is approved swiftly. Geremi had been at Chelsea since 2003, making 72 appearances for the London club and scoring four goals. He spent the 2002-03 campaign on loan at Middlesbrough from Real Madrid and had previously played for Racing FC Bafoussam in Cameroon, Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno and Genclerberligi in Turkey. Geremi made his debut for Cameroon in 1996 and has been capped 60 times.

Atletico confirm Garcia deal

Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Luis Garcia from Liverpool.The diminutive schemer has signed a three-year deal at Atletico.Garcia's agent claimed on Monday that a move was close to completion and now the Spaniard has tied up the formalities of his transfer."Luis Garcia returns to Atletico and will be presented on Tuesday at 13.30 hours," read a statement from the Spanish club."Atletico have reached an agreement with Liverpool to transfer Luis Garcia, who has agreed to a three-year contract."Once the player completes his medical, he will be presented to the media."The former Barcelona man missed the second half of last season through injury and he will be keen to get back to full fitness at Atletico and win his place back in the Spanish national team.The move paves the way for Liverpool to seal a deal for Fernando Torres, who is believed to be on Merseyside for talks with Rafa Benitez.

Blues land Dutch flyer

Birmingham City have completed their fifth signing of a busy pre-season with the capture of Dutch winger Daniel de Ridder.The 23-year-old, who impressed at the recent European Under-21 Championship, arrives at St Andrews on a free transfer, having seen his contract at Spanish side Celta Vigo expire.De Ridder has signed a three-year deal, following successful negotiations with Blues boss Steve Bruce, who is likely to regard his latest signing as being somewhat of a coup, given the versatility offered by the player.Capable of performing as either a striker or in midfield, De Ridder is highly-rated in his homeland and, tipped for full international honours, should he impress in the Premier League.De Ridder, like so many of his successful compatriots, started his career at Ajax before electing to quit Holland for Spain, and Celta Vigo, back in 2005.Bruce's latest signing follows on from the captures Fabrice Muamba, Stuart Parnaby, Garry O'Connor and Olivier Kapo.