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West Bromwich Albion
Darren Fletcher's 15-year Manchester United career came to an end on Monday as West Bromwich Albion announced that they had signed the Scotland captain on a free transfer.
The 31-year-old midfielder first joined United as a schoolboy and made 342 appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals.
But after falling our of favour under new United manager Louis van Gaal, he signed for West Brom on a two-and-a-half-year contract with an option for a further year.
“Albion are delighted to welcome Darren Fletcher on free transfer,” West Brom announced on their official Twitter page.
“Our new No 24 has signed a 2.5 year deal with a 12-month option.”
Fletcher was pictured holding his West Brom jersey on his new employers’ website.
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“I’ve spent my career at United and it’s all I’ve ever known,” he said.
“But I felt it was the right time to move and I’m not sentimental about doing that – I have great memories obviously, but I’m now a West Bromwich Albion player and I cannot wait to get going.”
An industrious central midfielder, Fletcher came through United’s youth academy and made his debut for the first team in March 2003.
During his time at United, he won five Premier League titles, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Fifa Club World Cup, as well as making 66 appearances for Scotland and scoring five goals.
In December 2011 he began an extended break from football after being diagnosed with a chronic bowel condition, but after a brief return in late 2012, he made a successful comeback last season.
In a statement on Twitter, United said: “Darren Fletcher has joined West Brom after 342 #mufc appearances. #thankyoufletch for your fantastic service.”
Everton
Everton signed Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon on loan until the end of the season just before the transfer window closed on Monday.
Lennon had started just three Premier League matches since Mauricio Pochettino took over as Tottenham manager last year and the England international has been allowed to leave White Hart Lane to revive his career.
The 27-year-old played 267 times for Spurs after arriving from Leeds for £1 million (Dh5.5m) in 2005 and won the League Cup in 2008, but he never quite fulfilled his full potential in North London.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez beat Stoke City and Hull City to Lennon’s signature and he hopes the winger, who won the last of his 21 England caps two years ago, will bring a much-needed spark to his side, who are 12th in the league after a disappointing campaign to date.
“We all know what Aaron will bring to our squad with his experience and know-how, his involvement with England in two World Cups and the landmarks he has set in the Premier League,” Martinez told Everton’s website.
“At 27, Aaron will be a really important asset to our squad and he will represent a real boost in terms of attacking options from now to the end of the season. His pace and trickery will fit in well at Goodison.”
Crystal Palace
Wilfried Zaha has signed for Crystal Palace on a permanent transfer after a disappointing spell at Manchester United, the London club announced on Monday.
The 22-year-old winger, who returned to Palace on loan at the start of the season, has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
“I wasn’t getting much game time at Manchester United so took the opportunity of coming back on loan this season,” Zaha told Palace’s official website.
“To now have the chance to make the move permanent and come home to Selhurst Park is something I’m delighted about.”
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