Crystal Palace beat Leicester to Campbell capture

Crystal Palace have announced the signing of Cardiff striker Fraizer Campbell.

Cardiff accepted two bids from the Premier League for the 26-year-old, with Palace and newly promoted side Leicester City both triggering his release clause - thought to be around £900,000.

And the frontman decided to pen a three-year deal with the London-based Eagles, bringing his 18-month stay in Wales to a close.

Campbell came through the youth ranks at Manchester United at the start of his career, but made his professional debut with Belgian side Royal Antwerp while on loan from Old Trafford during the 2006/07 season.

That stint was a success, as was a spell with Hull the following term, and he subsequently spent time on loan with Tottenham before departing United - for whom he had made a total of just four appearances - to join Sunderland in 2009.

In January 2013 he switched to Cardiff and helped them win the Championship title that season - one in which Palace were also promoted, via the play-offs.

But he could not prevent the Welsh outfit from making a swift return to the second tier, with them finishing bottom of the Barclays Premier League in 2013/14.

He arrives at Palace, who came 11th last term, having netted 16 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Bluebirds.

Man United transfer blow! Roma boss rules out Strootman exit

Manchester have received a blow in their pursuit of Holland international Kevin Strootman, with Roma manager Rudi Garcia ruling out an exit for the Dutchman this summer.

The Red Devils are understood to retain an interest in Strootman and reports in Italy claim the 20-time English champions have bid at least £30million for the highly-rated Netherlands international

New United manager Louis van Gaal knows Strootman well from his time as Holland coach.

However, Van Gaal had to do without the midfielder at the World Cup as he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in March.

United would need to see the player, who moved to Roma from PSV Eindhoven last summer, had made a full recovery before launching any bid.

But Garcia insists the 24-year-old is going nowhere during the transfer window.

"Strootman is a Roma player. He will be a Roma player this year. There is no doubt about that," Garcia said on the eve of Roma's friendly against United in Denver, USA.

"Only he can say whether he wants to stay but it was never an issue for him to go to another club. There is no question of it.

Strootman is currently training in Boston, where Roma played Liverpool earlier this week, and will therefore not turn out against United on Saturday in Colorado.

"Strootman is following a normal recovery programme, he has stayed in Boston to work with our physios," Garcia added. "He will start running any time soon."

Drogba will have bit-part role for Chelsea this season, claims Walker

Former Chelsea winger Clive Walker believes returning Blues legend Didier Drogba will have to settle for the role of ‘super-sub’ at Stamford Bridge this season.

Drogba sealed a dramatic south west London homecoming on Friday, signing a one-year deal for the side he fired to Champions League glory in 2012.

The 36-year-old netted 157 goals in 341 appearances during his eight-year initial stay at Stamford Bridge, and the frontman was named Chelsea’s greatest ever player in a poll of fans following his exit.

And while Walker admits Drogba may find his playing time reduced, with £32million summer signing Diego Costa likely to be Jose Mourinho’s favoured sole striker, the ex-Blues man believes he could still have a big impact at the club this term.

“Drogba was a fantastic scorer and a great talisman for the club for eight years, but I don’t think you can look back on that now, it’s a new period in his career,” he told Kick Off.

“It will remain to be seen if he starts many games next season, it will all depend on the fitness of Diego Costa, Fernando Torres and possibly Romelu Lukaku as well.

“But his own fitness will be a big factor. At 36, can he still produce at that level for 90 minutes?

"I think we can all agree that Drogba won’t be a starting player for Chelsea this season, but my initial feeling is, what a man to bring on with 20 minutes to go!

“He will give a huge boost to the team and the fans, he’ll lift the whole of Stamford Bridge when he enters the field.

“He’ll certainly still be a danger, there’s no doubt about that. If he’s in the penalty area and you put the balls in the box he will score goals. He’s still a gamechanger.

“He’s got that love for the football club, which will give him a huge lift and I’m sure he can raise his game to the necessary level to play for a club like Chelsea again.”

Liverpool injury blow! Lallana to miss start of season with knee problem

Liverpool have confirmed summer signing Adam Lallana is set to miss the start of the new Premier League season after limping out of training on Friday.

The 26-year-old, who secured a £26million to Anfield earlier this month, suffered knee ligament damage during a session at the club’s training base in Boston, as the Reds continue their pre-season tour of the United States.

The Merseyside outfit have offered no timeframe on the midfielder’s likely return to fitness, though such injuries can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines.

Liverpool did at least confirm Lallana’s injury does not require surgery, following an assessment carried out by club medical staff.

However, the news is clearly a setback for the England international, who will undergo further assessment in America and on his return to Liverpool.

The injury means the former Southampton captain will almost certainly miss Liverpool’s opening game of the campaign against his old club at Anfield.

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Thursday, July 24

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Thursday's newspapers...

Liverpool are ready to revive their interest in Ryan Bertrand as they continue their quest to find a new left-back. Chelsea are reluctant to do business with a side they now regard as credible title rivals and they would be looking for a fee in excess of £8million. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool are hoping to hijack Manchester United’s move for Juventus star Arturo Vidal by matching their £42.5million bid for the player. (Metro)

Atletico Madrid believe they can persuade Arsenal to part with Santi Cazorla this summer. The Spain midfielder is a long-term target of Diego Simeone and the Argentine hopes this could be the year he lands the 29-year-old. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal have snapped up highly-rated Barcelona youth product Georgios Spanoudakis, who previously rejected a number of offers to sign with Arsene Wenger's side. The 15-year-old central midfielder joined the Catalan club's La Masia academy from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2009, but will now join Arsenal's Under-18 set-up for the coming season. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal have also taken Serbian wonderkid Mladen Micanovic on trial. The 17-year-old will train with the Gunners with a view to a transfer to the Emirates this summer. (Daily Mail)

Harry Redknapp ‎wants to strike a deal to bring former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o to Queens Park Rangers. The 34-year-old's agent, Claudio Vigorelli, is flying to London to try to thrash ‎out an agreement. (Daily Mirror)

Frank Lampard is set to be confirmed as a New York City FC player at 3.30pm on Thursday. A press conference has been called in New York to unveil the MLS franchise's latest new signing, expected to be the ex-Chelsea man. (Daily Mail)

Ronald Koeman will swoop for the ‘Dutch Xavi’ - his old Feyenoord captain Jordy Clasie – if he fails to persuade Arsenal and Tottenham target Morgan Schneiderlin to stay at Southampton. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are ready to grab Aston Villa’s Dutch destroyer Ron Vlaar with a cash-plus-players bid. Spurs supremo Daniel Levy is determined to beat Southampton to the Holland World Cup centre-half and will offer money plus the chance to take German midfielder Lewis Holtby in exchange. (Daily Mirror)

Everton boss Roberto Martinez will make Bosnia World Cup star Muhamed Besic his next signing – after thrashing out a £4million deal. (Daily Mirror)

Burnley have made an £8million bid for Watford striker Troy Deeney. The 26-year-old has been made captain for the new season but Watford will sell if they get a bid closer to £10m. (Daily Mail

Van Gaal Vows To Stick With 3-5-2 System After Man United Reign Gets Off To Stunning Start

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hailed his players as ‘fantastic’ after they demolished MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in their opening pre-season friendly.

United thrashed the Galaxy 7-0 in the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California, with summer signing Ander Herrera producing a sparkling performance in his first appearance in a Red Devils shirt, to get Van Gaal's reign off to a flyer.

It was a result which took Van Gaal by surprise, and he believes it will give his squad a big confidence boost ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

"The result always matters. With such a result you get confidence," the new United boss said.

"It is fantastic how they have performed today. When you see us train, you can expect something but not 7-0. It was a surprise, but they were beautiful goals and beautiful attacks."

Van Gaal sent United out in the 3-5-2 system which he used to great effect with the Netherlands at the World Cup.

And the Dutchman has vowed to stick with that attacking formation.

"We introduced a new system that we have only played two times on the training pitch 11 v 11. But the boys are willing to pick up the information," he said.

"It is fantastic how they have performed. Last week, 10 players who played tonight were not even in our training complex.

"When you want to change a system, you must start at once. We don't have time to prepare for other things. The other system they can play is 4-3-3 and they have played it for many years.

"I can change back if the system doesn't work. With the quality of the players we have, I can play 4-3-3 with three strikers on the bench, but I want to play with two strikers.

Van Gaal's predecessor David Moyes usually played 4-2-3-1 as his squad was awash with players who like to play just behind a main striker.

Van Gaal believes the Scot left him with an "unbalanced" squad.

He said: "We have four number 10s, so the selection is not balanced in my eyes.

"I have decided to play this system because of the quality of the players. But if we lose, I can change back to another system."

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena thinks Van Gaal's introduction has sharpened the United squad up following their seventh-place finish last year.

"I have nothing but the greatest respect for the show that Manchester United put on," he said.

"A bunch of guys out there fighting for jobs and it looked that way. It was a real lesson for a lot of our players."

Is this why Man United must increase their bid for World Cup winner? [SEE VIDEO]

Manchester United’s hopes of landing Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels were left in tatters on Tuesday as Jurgen Klopp mocked their reported €20million offer for the defender.

The Red Devils are yet to make an official move for Germany’s World Cup winning centre-back, who scored twice during the tournament in Brazil.

But the rumours have still reached Klopp, who was less than happy to hear about the amount Man United are willing to pay.

And it’s understandable why he would think the bid derisory when you consider the talents of the 25-year-old, who has won the Bundesliga twice.

Hummels has been a mainstay of the Dortmund defence for five seasons in the Bundesliga as they’ve risen to the top again in Germany.

When it comes to tackling he’s blessed with exceptional timing and on the ball he isn’t afraid to stride forward and ping a delectable 40-yard pass to a team-mate, plus he’s pretty handy in the air

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Tottenham Seal Double Swoop for Swansea Stars

Tottenham have made their first summer signings by raiding Swansea for left-back Ben Davies and goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

The Welshman has signed a five-year deal at White Hart Lane while the Dutchman has agreed terms on a four-year contract.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has moved in the opposite direction, resigning for the Jacks where he spent part of the 2011/12 season on loan.

The Icelandic midfielder has signed a four-year deal with Garry Monk's side.

Check Out The SoccerBall! LA Watches Real Madrid Train [SEE VIDEO]

Hundreds of American fans had the chance to watch Real Madrid train in Los Angeles.

Isco, Gareth Bale and their team-mates were on show, as the La Liga giants prepare for the new season
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Video: Bojan's Best Bits

Stoke secured the signing of Spanish forward Bojan from Barcelona on Tuesday afternoon.

Reports from Spain this week suggested the 23-year-old was nearing a loan switch to the Britannia Stadium, having endured stints at Ajax and AC Milan in recent years.

But the Premier League outfit have announced for former Barca No.9 has instead signed a four-year contract with the Potters for an undisclosed fee, and will now join his new team-mates for their pre-season training camp in Germany.
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