Transfer deadline day: Obafemi signs three-year Swansea deal, leaves Arsenal for Betis

The summer transfer window has closed. Here is how Deadline Day unfolded.

SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton's young Irish striker Michael Obafemi has sealed his move to Championship side Swansea on a three-year deal.

ARSENAL

Arsenal have confirmed that Hector Bellerin has joined Real Betis on loan until the end of the season.

The Gunners - currently bottom of the Premier League - have confirmed an initial €20m deal to buy the defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna, paving the way for Bellerin's exit.

Willian, meanwhile, has apologised over the way things went for him during his time with Arsenal after his contract was terminated by mutual agreement on Monday and he rejoined his first club Corinthians.

The 33-year-old Brazilian winger, who signed for Arsenal last summer following a seven-year spell with Chelsea, said in a post on Instagram: “All my career I have done everything to be the best I can be, I always want to win and I find it hard to accept not doing so. Unfortunately it didn’t happen for me at Arsenal and I am sorry about that.”

Willian also said in the message that he “received a lot of criticism especially from some members of the press that I had come here for financial reasons.”

He added: “I hope with my actions today (I) explain to those people and they now understand that was not the case. I hope it teaches some people that they should not be so quick to pass judgement and create bad environments to make themselves important even though I accept that’s part of the game.”

CHELSEA

Last season's Champions League winners have agreed a deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.

Atletico, meanwhile, have re-signed forward Antoine Griezmann on loan with an obligation to buy the French striker for €40m.

Barcelona are reportedly seeking the signature of Sevilla’s Luuk de Jong as a replacement for Griezmann.

Earlier, Ethan Ampadu signed a new three-year contract with the club but has been loaned out to Italian side Venezia for the rest of the 2021/22 season.

LEEDS UNITED

Leeds have announced the signing of winger Dan James from Manchester United on a five-year deal.

James, 23, arrives at Elland Road two-and-a-half-years after Leeds' bid to sign him from his former club Swansea collapsed at the 11th hour.

Leeds are understood to have paid £25million for the Wales international.

Leeds director of football Victor Orta said: "I have to say a huge thank you to my team firstly - the football department have been monitoring Daniel for a number of years and every member of my team has worked hard to get this deal over the line.

"It is no secret that Daniel is a player we have been keen to acquire for a number of years and today we achieved our goal."

James started in all four of Wales' Euro 2020 matches and will now join up with the squad in Finland for Wednesday night's friendly, ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Estonia.

He was also in Manchester United's starting XI for this season's Premier League games against Leeds and Wolves.

James is Leeds' third major summer signing after Jack Harrison's extended loan deal from Manchester City was made permanent and the arrival of left-back Junior Firpo from Barcelona.

CELTIC

Odsonne Edouard has left Celtic to sign a five-year deal with Crystal Palace.

Celtic, meanwhile, have signed Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis from Dutch side VVV-Venlo also on a five-year deal, while winger Jota has joined the club from Benfica on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

Ryan Christie, meanwhile, has signed for Bournemouth.

Earlier, Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths joined Scottish Premiership rivals Dundee on loan until the end of the season.

Griffiths, 31, who spent 18 months at Dundee before joining Wolves in 2011, has not appeared for Celtic under new manager Ange Postecoglou. He joined Celtic from Wolves in January 2014 and has scored over 100 goals for the Glasgow club. He has scored four goals in 22 appearances for Scotland.

Celtic also announced midfielder Scott Robertson, 20, has joined Sky Bet League One side Crewe for the rest of the season.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United return has been confirmed after he signed a two-year deal with the club.

The 36-year-old’s move – a stand-out highlight of the transfer window which closes today – was teed-up on Friday and rubber-stamped just after 9.30am.

Juventus said that United had agreed to pay €15m (£12.86m) for their former forward, with the deal potentially rising by a further £6.86m, and the Red Devils soon said he had signed a two-year contract with the option for a third.

The five-time world player of the year, who was being linked with Manchester City prior to it emerging that he was set to head back to Old Trafford, is returning 12 years after leaving United for Real Madrid.

The statement said: "Juventus Football Club announces that an agreement with Manchester United FC for the definitive disposal of the registration rights of the player Cristiano Ronaldo has been reached for a consideration of €15m payable in five financial years, which might be increased, up to a maximum of €8m, upon achievement of specific performance objectives over the duration of the employment contract with the player."

The five-time world player of the year, who was being linked with Manchester City prior to it emerging that he was set to head back to Old Trafford, is returning 12 years after leaving United for Real Madrid.

He had six seasons with the Red Devils that saw him score 118 goals in 292 appearances and help them win three Premier League titles, a Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, one FA Cup and two League Cups.

Ronaldo then spent nine years with Real, during which he tasted Champions League glory a further four times and became the LaLiga outfit's all-time top scorer, before moving to Juventus in 2018.

“Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday,” Ronaldo said.

“I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again. I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”

Juventus have moved quickly to replace him, bringing in Everton's Moise Kean on a two-year loan.

Juve say the loan will be turned into a permanent deal subject to certain conditions being met over the course of the next two years, with a loan fee of €7m being paid to Everton.

TOTTENHAM

Serge Aurier has terminated his Tottenham contract by mutual consent.

Spurs have completed the signing of right-back Emerson Royal from Barcelona on a five-year deal, which could spell bad news for the club's Irish right-back Matt Doherty.

The club have spent £25.8million to secure the services of the four-capped Brazil international.

Emerson, who has spent the last two seasons with Real Betis, will provide greater competition at right-back for new Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 22-year-old, who was born in Sao Paulo, first came to prominence in his native country with Ponte Preta and Atletico Mineiro before a move to Europe occurred in 2019.

The right-back, who featured for Brazil in the Copa America this year, will not have to isolate on arrival in the UK from Spain and could make his debut in Spurs' Premier League fixture at Crystal Palace on September 11, subject to international clearance and a work permit being granted.

MIDDLESBROUGH

The SkyBet Championship are on the verge of completing a deal for St Mirren's Irish midfielder Jamie McGrath.

The Meath native, who is in the Ireland squad for tomorrow's World Cup qualifying clash with Portugal, previously had stints at St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk in the League of Ireland before moving to the Scottish Premiership side in 2019.

The 24-year-old has attracted plenty of attention since breaking into the Buddies starting XI, scoring 19 times in the past two seasons.

LIVERPOOL

Jordan Henderson has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool, the club have announced.

The 31-year-old captain has made 394 appearances for the Reds, scoring 30 goals, since joining from Sunderland in 2011.

Henderson skippered the side to Champions League glory in 2019 and the Premier League title the following season.

It's understood the England midfielder’s new deal runs to the summer of 2025.

Henderson told Liverpool’s official website: “I’m obviously very honoured and proud to continue the journey I’ve already been on here.

“It’s amazing to finally get it done and just concentrate on looking forward and what the future may hold.

“I’m in a different place of course, as a player and as a person, from when I first walked in. I’ve learned and grown a lot over my time here, and I’ve got to thank a lot of people for that.

“I’ve loved every minute of it, even when I look back at the tough times, I was still enjoying being a part of this football club. The longer I can do that, the better for me really. I want to be here as long as possible, I’ve always said that.

“To continue this journey is incredible for me and my family, and I hope the fans and the club feel the same way.”

WEST HAM

West Ham have strengthened their squad ahead of a busy season, which will take in Europa League action, with the signing of Croatia forward Nikola Vlasic on a five-year deal.

The 23-year-old – known to Premier League fans for a short stint at Everton – has 26 caps and six goals for his country.

He joins for an undisclosed fee from CSKA Moscow, having been named Russian Premier League player of the year in 2020.

WOLVES

Wolves’ loan move for Renato Sanches is in the balance with the club struggling to agree a fee with Lille for a permanent option for the midfielder. Boss Bruno Lage would like to add the Portugal international to his squad, despite the 24-year-old being unavailable until the end of September after knee surgery.

BRIGHTON

Brighton have signed Getafe left-back Marc Cucurella in a deal thought to reach £15m.

The 23-year-old has become Brighton’s third summer signing, following Enock Mwepu and Kjell Scherpen through the doors at the Amex Stadium.

Cucurella, part of the Spain side that won silver at this summer’s Olympics, came through Barcelona’s academy before impressing with Getafe last term.

“We have been keen to bring Marc to the club, and we are really pleased to finally welcome him here and are excited to begin working with him,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter.

“He has had a fantastic education in the youth teams at Barcelona, and he has gone on to make a real impression in La Liga and the within the national set-up.

“He is a versatile player and will add competition to the current squad.”

BURNLEY

Burnley have signed Wales full-back Connor Roberts on a four-year deal.

The 25-year-old joins from Sky Bet Championship club Swansea and becomes the Clarets’ fifth senior signing of the summer transfer window.

Burnley chairman Alan Pace said: “It’s great to add another player with strong international experience to our squad and provide an opportunity for Connor to play Premier League football again having provided outstanding service to Swansea and impressed on the international stage with Wales.”