Football Transfer News Zaki signs for Wigan

WIGAN – Egypt striker Amr Zaki has joined Wigan on a one-year loan deal from Cairo’s Zamalek, the English Premier League club announced yesterday.

“I’ve come to England to score goals,” Zaki said. “That’s what I do.Real Betis sign Emana * MADRID – Real Betis yesterday completed the transfer of Cameroon international Achille Emana from French side Toulouse on a five-year deal worth seven million euros (11 million dollars).The 26-year-old had spent the last seven years in Toulouse where his contract ran until 2011.Essien inks five-year Chelsea deal * GUANGZHOU – Chelsea announced a fresh five-year deal for midfielder Michael Essien yesterday as the club’s new era began to take shape.The industrious Ghana international became the third player in a week to commit to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team after defender Wayne Bridge and goalkeeper Petr Cech.Emerton signs new Rovers deal * LONDON – Blackburn utility man Brett Emerton has signed a new four-year contract, the Premier League club confirmed yesterday.The deal will keep the 29-year-old Australian, who joined Rovers from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2003, at Ewood Park until 2012.Chelsea deny Eto’o bid * GUANGZHOU – Chelsea yesterday denied making an offer for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, a day after rejecting reports of a world-record bid for AC Milan’s Kaka.”We have not made an offer,” a club source told AFP.”I have had a number of discussions with board members and directors on all the issues regarding signings, and he’s not come up at all.”Ghana captain Mensah signs for Lyon * LYON – Ghana captain John Mensah has turned down the chance to play in the English Premier League in favour of an 8.4 million euro five year deal with French champions Lyon.The 25-year-old central defender, courted by English sides Portsmouth and Wigan, said he was excited about linking up with his new teammates like Juninho and Karim Benzema.Ronaldinho to wear number 80 * ROME – New AC Milan signing Ronaldinho will wear the number 80 shirt this season, the club said on Monday.The Brazilian forward, twice world player of the year, chose the number because it corresponds with the year of his birth.Ronaldinho usually wears the number 10 shirt but that is already taken by veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf and Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed that no-one at the club would force a player to relinquish a shirt number.Nampa-AFP”That’s what I do.Real Betis sign Emana * MADRID – Real Betis yesterday completed the transfer of Cameroon international Achille Emana from French side Toulouse on a five-year deal worth seven million euros (11 million dollars).The 26-year-old had spent the last seven years in Toulouse where his contract ran until 2011. Essien inks five-year Chelsea deal * GUANGZHOU – Chelsea announced a fresh five-year deal for midfielder Michael Essien yesterday as the club’s new era began to take shape.The industrious Ghana international became the third player in a week to commit to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team after defender Wayne Bridge and goalkeeper Petr Cech.Emerton signs new Rovers deal * LONDON – Blackburn utility man Brett Emerton has signed a new four-year contract, the Premier League club confirmed yesterday.The deal will keep the 29-year-old Australian, who joined Rovers from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2003, at Ewood Park until 2012.Chelsea deny Eto’o bid * GUANGZHOU – Chelsea yesterday denied making an offer for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, a day after rejecting reports of a world-record bid for AC Milan’s Kaka.”We have not made an offer,” a club source told AFP.”I have had a number of discussions with board members and directors on all the issues regarding signings, and he’s not come up at all.”Ghana captain Mensah signs for Lyon * LYON – Ghana captain John Mensah has turned down the chance to play in the English Premier League in favour of an 8.4 million euro five year deal with French champions Lyon.The 25-year-old central defender, courted by English sides Portsmouth and Wigan, said he was excited about linking up with his new teammates like Juninho and Karim Benzema.Ronaldinho to wear number 80 * ROME – New AC Milan signing Ronaldinho will wear the number 80 shirt this season, the club said on Monday.The Brazilian forward, twice world player of the year, chose the number because it corresponds with the year of his birth.Ronaldinho usually wears the number 10 shirt but that is already taken by veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf and Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed that no-one at the club would force a player to relinquish a shirt number.Nampa-AFP