Keane move captures late limelight

Robbie Keane's loan switch from Tottenham Hotspur FC to Celtic FC was the highlight of the late transfers among clubs not involved in UEFA club competition, with striker Benni McCarthy among numerous other players opting for a change of scenery.

Keane will see out the rest of the season at the club he supported as a boy, the Irish international striker having rejoined Spurs last January following a brief spell at Liverpool FC. "It's been no secret over the years that I am a Celtic fan and one day that I'd love to play for them," said Keane. "I'm lucky to be coming here at a good age. I didn't want to come up here at the end of my career and struggle if you like. I'm coming at the peak of my career and I think I can help the club to win trophies." The 29-year-old, who has hit a record 42 goals in 96 appearances for his country, first joined Tottenham from Leeds United AFC in 2002.

It proved to be a hectic day for Celtic as they likewise secured the services of Diomansy Kamara on loan from Fulham FC until the end of the campaign, with the Scottish side having the option of making the deal permanent. Bhoys manager Tony Mowbray also strengthened his defence with the acquisition of FC Bayern München's Dutch international full-back Edson Braafheid for the remainder of the campaign, while 18-year-old Paul Slane was captured from Motherwell FC on a four-year deal.

It was not all one-way traffic, though, as Australian international forward Scott McDonald teamed up with former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough FC for a reported €4m fee. Strachan also swooped for Aberdeen FC forward Lee Miller.

Premier League outfit West Ham United FC were similarly busy, adding a trio of strikers to their ranks in the shape of South African international forward McCarthy, 32, who completed a switch from Blackburn Rovers FC until 2012, and loan pair Mido and Ilan, who have joined until the end of the campaign from Middlesbrough and AS Saint-Etienne respectively. Scottish right-back Alan Hutton is leaving the English capital, on the other hand, having finalised a similar loan arrangement to leave Tottenham for Sunderland AFC.

Also in England, big spenders Manchester City FC snapped up Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee. In nearby Lancashire, meanwhile, Burnley FC agreed loan terms with Portsmouth FC's David Nugent until the end of the season, with the Turf Moor outfit additionally bringing in 20-year-old midfielder Jack Cork on loan from Chelsea FC. Elsewhere, Burnley's fellow strugglers Hull City AFC loaned striker Daniel Cousin to Greek side Larissa FC and defender Péter Halmosi to Hungarian outfit Haladás FC.

Thomas Hitzlsperger departed UEFA Champions League contenders VfB Stuttgart to join S.S. Lazio for an undisclosed fee as he attempts to seal a place in Germany's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. The 27-year-old has fallen out of favour at Stuttgart, making just 12 Bundesliga appearances this term. "I had a wonderful time here and will always carry positive memories of the club, the fans and the city," said Hitzlsperger. "I hope to continue the tradition of German players having success in Italy." Lazio did not stop there either, recruiting Brazilian striker André Dias on a three-and-a-half year contract from São Paulo FC, plus Genoa CFC defender Giuseppe Biava.

Brazilian midfielder Élson has said his own goodbyes at Stuttgart after agreeing to join Bundesliga strugglers Hannover 96 on loan for the remainder of the season. He will be joined by Arouna Koné, who left UEFA Champions League contenders Sevilla FC on a similar deal. The 26-year-old signed for Sevilla PSV Eindhoven in 2007 for a reported fee of €12 million, only to struggle for playing time.

Elsewhere, Debreceni VSC striker Gergely Rudolf was granted a free transfer allowing him to link up with Genoa in the summer, while Ukrainian international midfielder Olexandr Aliyev departed FC Dynamo Kyiv to join FC Lokomotiv Moskva on a three-year contract. FC Steaua Bucureşti added Armenian internationals Artavazd and Arman Karamyan to their squad from Liga 1 rivals FC Timişoara, and in France Olivier Thomert returned to Le Mans UC 72 from Stade Rennais FC.

Finally, Real Valladolid CF are on the hunt for a new coach after parting company with José Luis Mendilibar in the wake of Sunday's draw with fellow relegation rivals UD Almería. Mendilibar had been at the helm since summer 2006 and is replaced by reserve-team coach Onésimo Sánchez, who will have the task of welcoming former Spanish international left-back Asier del Horno on loan from Valencia CF and Portuguese defender Henrique Sereno on a free transfer from Vitória SC.