Skip to main content

Everton swoop for United striker Saha

  • Story Highlights
  • Manchester United striker Louis Saha joins Everton for an undisclosed fee
  • The French international Saha has signed a two-year deal at Goodison Park
  • Saha's Old Traffford career was hampered by injuries but he scored 42 goals
  • Newcastle winger James Milner switches to Aston Villa on four-year contract
  • Next Article in World Sport »
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

(CNN) -- Manchester United striker Louis Saha has joined Premier League rivals Everton for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.

French international striker Saha suffered a series of injuries during his United career.

Everton confirmed the acquisition of the 30-year--old French international on the club's Web site.

Saha, who has won 19 international caps, has the option for a further year extension and will complete the move to Goodison Park if he passes a medical.

Saha scored 42 goals in 124 appearances for United, but he has suffered a string of injuries over the last two years that made him a fringe figure in the squad.

He joined United in 2003 after an outstanding spell at Fulham where he scored 53 goals in 117 appearances, including a memorable goal in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.

He will become manager David Moyes' third signing this week after the captures of Lars Jacobsen and Segundo Castillo.

Moyes admitted at the weekend that his squad was too thin to improve on their fifth place finish last season and there could be further arrivals with Nigeria striker Victor Obinna a target.

Saha's departure leaves the Premier League champions short of striking capability and could pave the way for the arrival of Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov before the transfer window closes on Monday.

On a busy day of transfer action, Newcastle midfielder James Milner joined Aston Villa on a four-year-deal.

Milner, 22, spent a year at Aston Villa during David O'Leary's spell in charge but the switch still comes as something of a surprise.

The England under-21 international starred in Newcastle's midweek League Cup win at Coventry and was believed to be integral to Kevin Keegan's plans.

Milner is reported to have cost around £10 million and could make his debut in Sunday's clash against Liverpool at Villa Park.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill has been keen to land Milner on a permanent basis and came within minutes of snapping up the former Leeds player before the August 2006 transfer deadline but Newcastle pulled out of the deal at the 11th hour.

Meanwhile, former Sweden under-21 defender Jonas Olsson has agreed to join Premier League newcomers West Bromwich Albion from Dutch club Nijmegen.

The 25-year-old central defender is expected to sign and seal the move over the weekend.

The $1.5m fee could eventually rise to $2 millioned for Olsson, who is renowned for being a tough-tackling defender, good in the air and comfortable on the ball.

Fulham have signed Dickson Etuhu from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.

The capture of the Nigerian international ends manager Roy Hodgson's summer-long search for a defensive midfielder.

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print