Birmingham sign Dutch winger de Ridder

Newly-promoted Birmingham City have signed young Dutch winger Daniel de Ridder on a free transfer from Spanish outfit Celta Vigo, the club announced on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old -- who was part of his country's successful European Under-21 Championship campaign -- was out of contract in Spain.

He will be City manager Steve Bruce's fifth signing of the summer after Fabrice Muamba, Stuart Parnaby, Garry O'Connor and Olivier Kapo.

De Ridder is a graduate of the Ajax academy and made his first-team debut for the Amsterdam club in January 2004.

He left the Netherlands in 2005 to join Celta, where he made 20 Pleage appearances and score one goal.

He impressed Bruce with his performances in the recent European Championships as an over-age player and the deal was completed late on Monday night.

Black Cats lose patience with Nugent

Promoted Sunderland confirmed Monday they have withdrawn their offer for Preston striker David Nugent after waiting in vain for an answer from the player.

The Black Cats agreed an undisclosed fee, believed to be around six million pounds (12 million dollars), for the 22-year-old several weeks ago and were given permission to talk to him.

However, Nugent went away on holiday after the European Under-21 Championships without making a decision, and Sunderland manager Roy Keane has lost patience and is now looking elsewhere.

Chief executive Peter Walker said: I can confirm that we have withdrawn our offer for the player.

"Naturally, work continues behind the scenes to strengthen our squad ahead of the new season and talks are ongoing with a number of targets."

Nugent was part of the England under-21 squad that reached the semi-finals of the European Championships in the Netherlands and has already appeared for the full national side.

He scored 17 goals for his club last season, attracting interest from Sunderland, West Ham and Everton.

Lyon move for Armand and Grosso

French champions Lyon confirmed Monday that they have been in contact with both Paris Saint Germain's Sylvain Armand and Inter Milan's Fabio Grosso in a bid to fill the gap left by Barcelona-bound French international defender Eric Abidal.

"We're looking at tough negotiations with PSG who don't want to let him (Armand) go because they want to prolong his contract," said Lyon sporting advisor Bernard Lacombe.

"We've been in contact with Grosso and he wants to come," added club president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Grosso's agent Danilo Caravello told the Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday that Lyon had been in touch with the defender.

"This week could be decisive. Either the deal will be done or Fabio will stay at Inter," said Caravello.

"Fabio is a world champion and we're weighing up the technical aspect as well as the economic aspect. France is an attractive prospect but you have to also take into account Fabio's ambitions at Inter, a club where the player despite a slightly difficult season, feels good."

Arsenal sign Da Silva

Arsenal have signed striker Eduardo da Silva on a four-year deal from Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb to boost their strike-force following the transfer of Thierry Henry to Real Madrid.

The London club did not reveal details of the transfer fee, but Dinamo president Mirko Barisic said it amounted to 24 million euros (32.6m dollars), the biggest in Croatian football history.

The 24-year-old was born in Brazil, but having moved to Europe at the age of 15, he took Croatian nationality in 2002.

"I'm happy but at the same time also a bit sad. Sad because I'm leaving Dinamo, fellow players, the club and the town where I started my career and reached the status of a national squad player," Da Silva told reporters in the Austrian city of Kapfenberg where the club are training.

"On the other hand I am happy and proud since it is really a big club, one of the biggest in the world."

Da Silva scored the first competitive goal at Emirates Stadium when the Gunners beat Dinamo during last season's Champions League third qualifying round in late August.

He has also scored seven goals in 12 appearances for Croatia - including one against England during the 2-0 Euro 2008 qualifier victory in Zagreb last October.

Manager Arsene Wenger had been keen to recruit a proven goalscorer, with Newcastle duo Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen reported to be on his shopping list.

However, the Gunners boss is now likely to turn his attentions to defensive cover following the signing of da Silva, who finished the Croatian season as their top scorer with a record 34 goals.

Newcastle set to sign Geremi

Newcastle United were expected to complete the signing of Chelsea utility player Geremi on Monday.

He would the fourth summer signing for new boss Sam Allardyce following Mark Viduka, Joey Barton and David Rozehnal as the former Bolton boss rebuilds the squad on Tyneside.

The 28-year-old Cameroon international was understood to have agreed a three-year deal to secure his transfer to St James' Park.

The former Real Madrid star, who spent a season on loan at Middlesbrough before heading for Stamford Bridge, made 28 appearances for the Blues last season, but has struggled to hold down a regular place.