City make first summer signing

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell for a fee of £12 million.

The 21 year old English midfielder joins the Premier League champions on a five year deal and the fee could rise to £17 million.

Rodwell completed a medical on Sunday before signing a deal to become Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini's first summer signing. Rodwell told www.mcfc.co.uk. : "Man City are a massive club, the league champions, so its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Its a dream come true,".

Rodwell now joins up with England for their friendly on Wednesday against Italy but will be available for Manchester City's opening game of the Premier League season against newly promoted Southampton.

Rodwell rose through the ranks at Everton after joining the club at the age of seven. He also represented England at four different junior levels and made his senior debut in a friendly win against Spain in November 2011. Three days later he started his first full international, playing against Sweden.

He also said that he would like to thank everyone at Everton. He continued to say that David Moyes was brilliant and helped to make him the player he is today.

Jack Rodwell is City's only high profile arrival this summer, though the Premier League champions have also been linked with Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie and Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.

Rodwell will add depth to City's midfield, with Gareth Barry being out with hip injury and Nigel de Jong stalling over a new deal at the Etihad stadium.

Ledley King retires!

The King steps down!

Tottenham Hotspur and former England defender Ledley King has announced his retirement from football due to persistent and chronic knee injuries.
The naturally gifted English centre back has struggled throughout his career with injuries and had even been unable to train on a daily basis.

He will now stay at Spurs in an ambassadorial role. He told the club's website that he's saddened by the fact that he's injuries have hindered his training and cut his career short but is pleased to be continuing to work with the club. Ledley King spent his entire career at the North London club after joining as a trainee and made his debut in 1999 and went on to make 264 league appearances, winning the Carling Cup in 2008, and was club captain.

He also represented England 21 times and was selected to represent England at the 2010 World Cup Squad in South Africa, making his last appearance against the United States.

Speaking on his career at the club he said that he's been at the club since he was a child and that th club is like a second home to him. He continued to say that he's always considered Tottenham his club and would find it hard to wear the shirt of another club. He went on to thank everyone at the club and all the fans and for all of their support and patience through the years and all his difficult periods at the club.

Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy praised Ledley King's character and how he managed to sustain such high standards of performance on the pitch while still being a fine leader. Spurs have announced that a testimonial will take place at the end of the 2012-13 season for King.

In my opinion Ledley King was arguably the most gifted players pull on a Spurs shirt and probably one of the most gifted centre backs in the game and its sad to see a player of his quality to be retiring at only 30.