U.S. keeper Guzan denied move to Villa

LONDON, England -- Goalkeeper Brad Guzan's transfer to Premier League Aston Villa fell through on Thursday when his application for a work permit was turned down.

Guzan, a 23-year-old goalkeeper, who has played four times for the United States, was to move from Major League Soccer club Chivas USA.

"We've very disappointed with the outcome as we were really looking forward to Brad joining us but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be," Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill said.

Guzan is scheduled to rejoin the U.S. national team training camp this weekend ahead of next Wednesday's exhibition game against Mexico in Houston.

"Although we share in his disappointment at the denial of his British work permit, we know that Brad, like the true professional he is, will continue to work hard to improve every day on and off the field with Chivas USA," Chivas USA coach Preki Radosavljevic said.

American goalkeepers Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Friedel (Blackburn) and Marcus Hahnemann (Reading) start in the Premier League.

Sunderland have signed Charlton's 25-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid on a three-and-a-half-year deal which could cost up to $8million.

"Andy brings added quality to our side in an area that I felt needed to be strengthened." Sunderland boss Roy Keane told the club's official Web site.

Bolton have signed 29-year-old Poland striker Grzegorz Rasiak on loan from Southampton until the end of the season.

Manager Gary Megson was delighted to finally bolster his attacking options after the departure to Chelsea of Nicolas Anelka at the start of this month, saying: "He will bring more firepower to the squad and allow us extra attacking options."

Czech defender David Rozehnal has joined Italian outfit Lazio on loan from Newcastle United, the CTK agency reported citing the player's agent Pavel Zika.

The clubs agreed prelimianary terms for a four-year contract for the 27-year-old but were unable to finalise it before the closing of the transfer window, Zika said.

It should take effect at the end of this season when the loan deal period runs out.

Rozehnal, who has played 41 times for the national team, has been unsettled at the north-east England club folowing his move from Paris St. Germain.

Barry Robson completed his move from Dundee United to Celtic after the 29-year-old midfielder agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract and passed a medical after agreeing personal terms.

Robson, who was United's captain, has hit 12 goals already this season, including seven in his last five appearances.

Wigan have signed Norwegian defender Erik Hagen on loan from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg for the rest of the season.

The 32-year-old usually operates as a centre-back and Latics boss Steve Bruce told the club's Web site: "Erik is an experienced international and is no stranger to the big occasion. He is aggressive, fantastic in the air and can read the game very well.

"He is a leader on the field and he will add tremendous competition at the back for us. I wouldn't have brought him here unless I thought he had the attributes to be a hit in the Premier League."

Reports that Liverpool have clinched a permanent deal for midfielder Javier Mascherano have been denied by the Premier League club.

It had been claimed that the Reds had agreed to pay $37million for the Argentina international who has been on loan at Anfield for a year.

But a statement on the club's Web site said: "Contrary to reports elsewhere, the deal to complete Javier Mascherano's permanent move to Liverpool has yet to be finalised."

Fulham have signed Tottenham full-back Paul Stalteri on loan for the rest of the season.

The 30-year-old Canada right-back joined Spurs in summer 2005 and went on to play 56 times for the White Hart Lane club, but he has struggled to claim a regular place this season under new boss Juande Ramos, with just seven appearances to his name.

Stalteri joins Finland internationals Jari Litmanen and Toni Kallio as Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson's deadline-day signings. E-mail to a friend