Xabi Alonso is officially a Madridista

Xabi Alonso finally completed his move to Real Mardid on Wednesday. The Spanish international parted ways with Liverpool after 5 years with the Merserside. He helped Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005

In his first press conference as a Mardidista:

Is there anything you want to say to Liverpool fans?
I am very grateful to Liverpool fans who made my five years there fantastic. They must understand, though, that this opportunity came up and it was the best option for me.


Sunderland landed Darren Bent in a club record £10m deal from Tottenham.

Still from the North London club, Peter Crouch reunites with former manager Harry Redknapp after joining from Portsmouth. The lankly striker will compete with Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko. The club missed out on Dutch striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

FA Community Shield

The 09/10 BPL season kickoff this weekend with FA Community Shield as curtain raiser. This year Manchester United meets Chelsea at Wembly.

With Van Der Sar injured, Ben Foster will be call into action between the sticks. Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out for two weeks with a calf injury, also on the treatment table are Wes Brown and Gary Neville. Fans should be able to catch Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen in action.

Carlo Ancelotti will get his first taste of English football. With no major injuries on his team, Ancelotti will want to fill the trophy cabinet with the shield to impress Roman Abramovich.