Clubs play final hand in transfer market

uefa.com charts the comings and goings at clubs involved in the new UEFA Europa League following the passing of the summer transfer deadline.

After recently losing centre-back Joleon Lescott to Manchester City FC, Everton FC have moved to shore up their back line with the acquisition of Dutch international defender John Heitinga from Club Atlético de Madrid. A fee of €6.8m will change hands for the 25-year-old former AFC Ajax player who has signed a four-year deal.

Hertha BSC Berlin have made three signings in an attempt to remedy a slow start to the season – with BV Borussia Dortmund midfielder Florian Kringe, Colombia striker Adrián Ramos and Brazilian midfielder César all lured to the German capital. The 27-year-old Kringe arrives on a season's loan from Dortmund. Ramos, 23, joins from CD América on a contract until 2013. César (aka Clederson César de Souza), formerly with FC Zürich, will have a 12-month deal.

AS Roma have taken Romanian international goalkeeper Bogdan Lobonţ on loan from fellow UEFA Europa League challengers FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti. The 31-year-old Lobonţ, a former AFC Ajax and ACF Fiorentina player, leaves Dinamo initially for one season, with Roma having an option to buy for €1.8m. He played 93 league games for the Bucharest club.

AFC Ajax have bolstered their forward line by signing attacking midfielder Kerlon Moura Souza and Serbian striker Marko Pantelić. The 21-year-old Kerlon joins on a season-long loan from FC Internazionale Milano, with the Amsterdam side holding the option of signing the Brazilian on a permanent deal after that. Former FK Crvena Zvezda forward Pantelić, 30, also arrives on a one-year contract after being released by Hertha during the summer. Ajax have also signed 18-year-old midfielder Zé Eduardo on a year-long loan.

UEFA Cup finalists in 2002/03, Celtic FC will start their bid at the revamped version of the competition with China captain Zheng Zhi in their ranks. The 29-year-old midfielder will arrive as a free agent and is due to sign a two-year contract, subject to a successful medical.

Brazilian youth international midfielder Felipe Menezes has joined SL Benfica for an undisclosed fee from Goiás SC. The 21-year-old has agreed a five-year deal with the Lisbon club after scoring three goals in 19 league games this season in Brazil.

Galatasaray SK have signed Turkish international midfielder Caner Erkin on loan for the season from PFC CSKA Moskva. The 20-year-old made 33 league appearances for the Russian club after signing from Manisaspor in 2007.

FC Twente have captured Perparim Hetemaj from AEK Athens FC in a swap deal that takes Dutch midfielder Youssouf Hersi from the Netherlands to the Greek capital. Hetemaj, 22, has put pen to paper on a one-year contract in Enschede with the opportunity of another 12 months, while Hersi's one-year deal is thought to include a further two-season option. AEK have also brought in 27-year-old Bosnian defender Sanel Jahić from Aris Thessaloniki FC on a four-year contract.

Stergos Marinos has joined AEK's domestic rivals Panathinaikos FC from promoted Atromitos FC. The 22-year-old full-back has accepted a four-year deal and said he was "especially happy to join such a great club". "I want to fit in quickly and I have a lot to learn from my coach and team-mates," he added.

Austrian champions FC Salzburg have bolstered their squad by signing Nigerian defender Rabiu Afolabi on a free transfer from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. The 29-year-old centre-back, who made 123 Ligue 1 appearances over four years at Stade Bonal, already knows the Austrian Bundesliga well having played two campaigns at FK Austria Wien between 2003 and 2005.

Austria Wien have enlisted the services of Brazilian forward Schumacher from Udinese Calcio. The 23-year-old arrives on loan having spent last season at SK Austria Kärnten, scoring six goals in 18 Bundesliga games.

Vienna rivals SK Rapid Wien have reacted to the departure of Austrian international attacker Stefan Maierhofer – off to English club Wolverhampton Wanderers FC on a four-year deal – by signing SV Ried's Hamdi Salihi. The 25-year-old Albanian international, who hit 34 goals in 82 league outings for his old club, agreed a three-year contract.