Transfer news: Dortmund sign Germany defender Matthias Ginter

In other news, Roma seal move for midfielder Iturbe, and Valencia confirm Gomes to undergo medical.

Matthias Ginter, second from left, . Bernd von Jutrczenka / AFP
Powered by automated translation

Borussia Dortmund has signed Germany defender Matthias Ginter from Bundesliga rival Freiburg.

Dortmund said in a statement that the 20-year-old defender has signed a five-year deal through June 2019 after passing a medical examination on Wednesday.

Ginter was part of Germany’s 23-man World Cup-winning squad, though he did not play in Brazil.

Ginter made 70 Bundesliga appearances for hometown club Freiburg. He played all 34 league games last season, missing only 21 minutes. He joined Freiburg in 2005.

Both Dortmund and Freiburg agreed not to reveal transfer fee details.

Ginter says, “A boyhood-dream came true for me today. I have always been a big Dortmund fan and now I can wear the shirt of my favorite club. I want to take the next step in my sporting development in Dortmund.”

Ferdinand close to Queens Park Rangers move

Rio Ferdinand is close to signing for Queens Park Rangers – promoted this season to the Premier League – after the former Manchester United defender revealed he had passed his medical yesterday. Ferdinand had been a free agent since his 12-year stay at Old Trafford ended when his contract expired last month. The move would reunite him with QPR coach Harry Redknapp, who gave him his professional debut at West Ham United. Ferdinand had spent the summer working as a BBC pundit.

Michu has joined Napoli on a season-long loan deal.

Swansea are yet to receive any formal bids for striker Wilfried Bony but the club expect the future of full-back Ben Davies to be resolved next week, Press Association Sport understands.

Bony, who joined Swansea last summer for a club-record £12million, is a top target for Tottenham while Liverpool are also interested in the striker.

So far, however, neither club has made a concrete offer for the 25-year-old, who scored 16 goals in the Barclays Premier League last season.

Should the Ivory Coast striker depart, the Swans would be left short of options up front after the club confirmed Michu’s switch to Napoli on a year-long loan deal on Thursday.

Roma seal move for midfielder Iturbe

AS Roma have continued their off-season recruitment drive by signing promising Argentine midfielder Juan Iturbe as last season’s Serie A runners-up prepare for life in the Champions League.

“AS Roma has signed a contract with Hellas Verona for the transfer of Iturbe for 22 million euros ($29.77 million),” the club said in a statement on Thursday.

“The agreement could rise by a further 2.5 million euros depending on the achievement of particular sporting goals.”

Italian media reported that the deal also included a large payment to Iturbe’s agent, pushing the overall fee up to around 30 million euros.

The player was also linked with a move to Serie A champions Juventus but the Turin side distanced themselves from the transfer as they adjust to life under new manager Massimiliano Allegri.

On Wednesday, Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta announced that the 21-year-old was no longer a target for the club, following the shock departure of coach Antonio Conte a day earlier and the appointment of Allegri.

Iturbe, who was also a target for AC Milan after scoring eight goals in 33 appearances for promoted Verona last season, has signed a five-year deal with a Roma side reinforcing their squad ahead of a return to Europe’s elite club competiton.

Rudi Garcia’s side finished second in Serie A last season and have already sealed the signings of former England left-back Ashley Cole, Urby Emanuelson and Seydou Keita.

Emmanuel Riviere moves to Newcastle from Monaco

Newcastle United have confirmed they have signed former France Under 21 forward Emmanuel Riviere from Monaco for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old striker has signed a “long-term contract”, the club reported on their website, following a transfer deal British media estimated at £5 million (Dh31.4m). “My dream was always to play in the Premier League and Newcastle have given me the opportunity,” Riviere told the club’s website. “When the club spoke to me I said yes immediately. It was an easy decision.” Riviere scored 40 goals in 161 league appearance for Monaco. He is Newcastle’s fifth signing this summer following Remy Cabella, Ayoze Perez, Jack Colback and Siem de Jong. “We have looked at Emmanuel for a while and we know he will score goals for us,” manager Alan Pardew said.

Gomes to undergo medical, says Valencia

Spanish top flight side Valencia said Benfica’s Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes will undergo a medical on Thursday in order to sign for the Spanish club.

“Andre Gomes will come on Thursday for a medical examination to become Valencia CF’s new player,” the club said in a short statement.

Gomes, 20, has scored 11 goals in 74 matches during two seasons with Benfica, according to the Portuguese club.

Valencia appointed former Portuguese goalkeeper Nuno as their new coach on July 4. He took over from Argentine Antonio Pizzi, who was sacked two days earlier after just over six months.

Singaporean businessman Peter Lim in May took a controlling stake of the financially-stricken club, who finished eighth in Spanish Primera Liga last season.

Oblak signs six-year contract with Atletico

Slovenian international goalkeeper Jan Oblak has agreed a six-year deal with Atletico Madrid, the Primera Liga champions confirmed on Wednesday.

Portuguese champions Benfica said in a statement that the Spanish side paid them the amount specified in the release clause of Oblak’s contract: €16 million (Dh80m).

The arrival of Oblak follows that of Miguel Angel Moya from Getafe last month.

Atletico are replacing Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who has signed for Premier League giants Chelsea, with Dani Aranzubia out of contract with the Spanish side.

Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Caminero expressed his delight at the deal which is subject to a medical.

“Jan Oblak is a goalkeeper with a lot of quality and a very promising future,” Caminero said.

“He’ll offer us much with his enormous array of qualities. He’s one of the most promising goalkeepers in the world and we’re very happy that we can count on him. This is great news for our club.”

The 21 year old joined Benfica from Olimpija Ljubliana in mid-2010. He helped Benfica to the domestic treble and the Europa League final last season.

Adriano fitness could affect transfer

Brazilian defender Adriano will be sidelined for up to six weeks after an irregular heartbeat was detected in a routine medical check, a setback likely to halt a move away from the Spanish giants.

“The medical staff informed us that Adriano Correia underwent an electrocardiogram which revealed an abnormal heart rhythm,” the club said in a statement.

“The player will be sidelined for four to six weeks and he will undergo physical training during this time.”

Barcelona will play their first friendly match of the pre-season on Saturday against second division Recreativo Huelva.

sports@thenational.ae

Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE