Soccer / Football : England : Premier League 2008/2009

Chelsea have signed goalkeeper Ross Turnbull on a four-year free transfer deal from Middlesbrough. The 24-year-old, who rose through the ranks at the recently relegated club, also spent time out on loan at various lower division sides, including Barnsley, Cardiff and Crewe. Turnbull will now fight it out with 33-year-old Hilario, who also signed a new two-year contract with Chelsea, to be second choice behind keeper Petr Chech.

Manchester City have released former Germany international Dietmar Hamann along with Danny Mills and Darius Vassell as part of a clearout by the English Premier League club. City also confirmed that young forward Danny Sturridge was leaving after failing to agree a new contract with the club, which is now owned by Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan.

Manchester United have signed winger Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee, reported to be as much as €18m. The 23-year-old becomes manager Sir Alex Ferguson's first signing of the summer after agreeing a four-year deal. Valencia is expected to help fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese winger's world record transfer to Real Madrid. The Ecuadorian has played 34 times for his country, scoring four goals.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have acquired the services of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle. The 25-year-old became the newly-promoted English Premier League side record signing as they paid about €7.6m to Reading for him. Doyle, who scored 18 goals in the Championship last season, has agreed a four-year-deal. Wolves have already signed Serbian midfielder Nenad Milijas from Red Star Belgrade and former Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, who arrived on a free transfer.

Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of Denmark international defender Lars Jacobsen on a two-year free transfer deal. The 29-year-old spent last season with Everton but made only four starts for the FA Cup finalists. Jacobsen has previously played for Odense, Hamburg, Copenhagen and Nurnberg. He is manager Sam Allardyce's third capture of the summer following the arrivals of Elrio van Heerden and Gael Givet.

Liverpool have signed right-back Glen Johnson from Portsmouth on a four-year contract. "He was important at Chelsea and in the last year at Portsmouth he has improved and is much better. One of the main things is his mentality - it's really good. He is a winner. I was impressed with the conversations I had with him. He wants to improve," said manager Rafa Benitez.

Blackburn have signed defender Gael Givet to a permanent four-year contract. The 27-year-old Frenchman joined the Premier League club in mid-January from Marseille, making 18 league and cup appearances. "It is a critical signing," manager Sam Allardyce said. "Gael made a massive impact last season while on loan here and I think he can get even better. Givet has played 12 games for France.

Birmingham City have added three new players to their squad. The newly promoted Premier League club have wrapped up the signing of Cardiff City central defender Roger Johnson in a €5.9m deal. The 26-year-old has penned a three-year contract. They have also signed Ecuador defender Giovanny Espinoza, 32, from Barcelona Sporting on a two-year deal, while Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has joined Birmingham on a season-long loan.