Football

Nine transfers you probably missed from around Europe last week

June is finally upon us, which means two things: the World Cup is nearly here, and many clubs are getting a head-start on their summer transfer business.

Europe’s top sides are inevitably being heavily linked with big money moves for a number of players, but there are plenty done deals already going under the radar.

With that in mind, here are nine completed transfers you might have missed from the last week.

1. Stefan de Vrij

From: Lazio

To: Inter Milan

Fee: Free transfer

The final day of the Serie A season saw Lazio host Inter Milan in what turned out to be a playoff for the final Champions League place. De Vrij gave away a penalty when Lazio were 2-1 up, allowing Inter to secure a 3-2 comeback victory and nick fourth place.

Adding insult to injury for Lazio, De Vrij has agreed to join Inter at the end of his contract, meaning the Dutch centre-back will be playing in the Champions League next term while his former side watches from afar.

2. Ante Coric

From: Dinamo Zagreb

To: AS Roma

Fee: £5.25m

Roma have won the race to sign highly-rated Croatian youngster Ante Coric from Dinamo Zagreb. The 21-year-old midfielder made over 100 appearances for his former club and is already a full Croatia international.

Coric will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his countrymen Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic by becoming one of the best central midfielders in Europe. And at just over £5m, he could prove to be a bargain.

3. Marius Wolf

From: Eintracht Frankfurt

To: Borussia Dortmund

Fee: £4.4m

After losing manager Niko Kovac to Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt’s German Cup-winning side already looks at risk of being taken apart. Indeed, Frankfurt have now lost one of their most reliable players in Marius Wolf.

The versatile midfielder becomes the first signing of the Lucien Favre era at Dortmund. Wolf is primarily a right-sided midfielder, but he is also able to play at right-back and elsewhere in midfield.

4. Ryan Fredericks

From: Fulham

To: West Ham United

Fee: Free transfer

After being named in the Championship Team of the Year and playing a crucial part in Fulham’s promotion to the Premier League, right-back Fredericks decided against signing a new deal with the Londoners and has instead crossed the capital to join West Ham for nothing.

The former Tottenham defender, who has never made a Premier League appearance, is the Hammers’ first signing since Manuel Pellegrini took over as manager last month.

5. Michael Dawson

From: Hull City

To: Nottingham Forest

Fee: Free transfer

At his peak, Michael Dawson was captaining Tottenham to a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League and being picked four times for England. A traditional centre-back to the bone, Dawson became less effective as Spurs became more progressive.

As a result, the 34-year-old eventually fell down a tier to the Championship with Hull, where he made 122 league appearances. A sentimental move to his first club, Nottingham Forest, should cap a modest yet memorable career.

6. Stephan Lichtsteiner

From: Juventus

To: Arsenal

Fee: Free transfer

Lichtsteiner’s move to Arsenal is significant in that he is Unai Emery’s first signing, but the nature of the deal – a free transfer – could make him one of the less noteworthy big club signings by the end of the window.

That said, the 34-year-old is likely to provide the Gunners with the experience and winning mentality they have perhaps lacked in recent years. Lichtsteiner made 257 appearances for Juventus, winning seven Serie A titles.

7. Martin Dubravka

From: Sparta Prague

To: Newcastle United

Fee: £3.5m

After a successful loan spell that proved pivotal in Newcastle’s Premier League survival, Martin Dubravka has signed a four-year deal with the Magpies.

The Slovakian goalkeeper quickly became a fan favourite at St James’ Park, keeping four clean sheets in his 12 Premier League appearances and conceding only 11 goals to help Newcastle finish tenth in the table.

8. Ben Hamer

From: Leicester City

To: Huddersfield Town

Fee: Free transfer

As usual, a number of second-choice goalkeepers are bound to move clubs this summer as their contracts come to an end. Ben Hamer has become one of the first to do so, joining Huddersfield from Leicester on a three-year-deal.

The 30-year-old made only 12 league appearances in four seasons with Leicester, and Huddersfield stopper Jonas Lossl’s impressive end to the campaign will probably prevent Hamer from getting much game time in West Yorkshire. Still, everyone needs a reserve ‘keeper.

9. Benik Afobe, Willy Boly and Diego Jota

From: Bournemouth, Porto and Atletico Madrid

To: Wolverhampton Wanderers

Fee: £30m

After securing promotion to the Premier League at a canter, Wolves have ensured a number of their loan starts are going nowhere amid inevitable interest from elsewhere – such was the quality of their displays last term.

Striker Benik Afobe, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Molineux, has returned to Wolves on a permanent basis, while defender Willy Boly and attacker Diego Jota have both signed contracts with the club. Plenty more spending is expected from the newly-promoted side.

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