Official: Meireles leaves Chelsea for Fenerbahce

Raul Meireles has left Chelsea for Turkish club Fenerbahce.

The Portugal international only made the move to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool before the transfer window closed last summer.

But the midfielder has joined fellow former Liverpool man Dirk Kuyt at the Turkish Super League club after failing to establish a regular place in the first team.

Meireles had been involved in every Premier League game for Chelsea this season, but was only used as a second half substitute in all three matches.

More to follow…

Zenit St Petersburg sign Hulk from Porto

Zenit St Petersburg have signed Hulk from Porto on a five-year deal for a fee reported to be in the region of €50 million, according to the Russian club’s website.

The 26-year-old will wear the No.29 shirt for Luciano Spalletti’s side, who currently sit top of the Russian Premier League after seven games.

Having cut his teeth in Japanese football with Kawasaki Fontale and Consadole Sapporo and Tokyo Verdy, the Brazilian moved to Os Dragoes in 2008 and helped the club to three league titles, three Tacas de Portugal and the Uefa Cup.

He has won 13 Brazil caps since making his debut in 2009, and was part of the Selecao’s Olympic team that claimed silver in London.

Official: Lassana Diarra joins Anzhi on four-year deal

Anzhi Makhachkala have announced that they have completed the signing of Lassana Diarra from Real Madrid.

The midfielder initially appeared to be heading to Russia on a season-long loan, but the cash-rich outfit have now confirmed that he has joined on a permanent switch, along with forward Nikita Burmistov from Amkar Perm.

“The signings of these footballers totally corresponds to the strategy of our club on achieving top aims,” CEO Ayvaz Kaziakhmedov told the club’s official website.

“We are confident that, together with Lassana and Nikita, the club will fight for the most prestigious titles.”

Anzhi were keen to add some more experience to their squad in order to fight for top honours, and coach Guus Hiddink sees the France international as the ideal addition to his midfield.

The 27-year-old joined Madrid from Portsmouth in January 2009, and quickly developed into an important first-team member at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, he has since lost his spot in the starting XI and was deemed surplus to requirements by head coach Jose Mourinho.

Diarra had also attracted the interest of AC Milan, but the Serie A side eventually opted to sign Nigel de Jong instead.

He is believed to have agreed a four-year contract with Anzhi, tying him to the side until 2016.

Official: Paris Saint-Germain sign Van del Wiel from Ajax

Paris Saint-Germain have announced that they have clinched the signing of Gregory van der Wiel from Ajax for an undisclosed fee.

The Dutchman’s agent, Mino Raiola, had confirmed on Friday that a deal to take the French capital was nearing completion, but stressed that personal terms had not yet been agreed..

However, PSG have been able to finalise a deal for Van der Wiel, who will wear the No.23 shirt over the course of his stay at Parc des Princes.

The move also signals an end to the club’s summer-long search for a right-back, as coach Carlo Ancelotti was keen to build on existing option Christophe Jallet.

Van der Wiel made his Ajax debut in 2007, and went onto make 137 appearances in all competitions for the reigning Dutch champions and has become Oranje‘s first choice in his position.

The transfer finally ends PSG’s activity in the summer transfer market, with the Parisians having already signed the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side ended a run of three straight draws on Sunday thanks to a 2-1 win at Lille, and now sit in ninth place in Ligue 1, six points behind leaders Olympique de Marseille.