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February 3, 2010

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Hao completes Schalke move, Europe quiet

SCHALKE has completed the signings of China winger Hao Junmin and Switzerland under-21 striker Mario Gavranovic.

Schalke said on Monday that the 22-year-old Hao is joining the Bundesliga club from Tianjin Teda on a 1 1/2-year contract with immediate effect. Hao has scored five goals in 26 games for China.

The 22-year-old's contract was set to expire shortly and could have joined the Bundesliga outfit in the summer for free. However, Schalke coach Felix Magath was so eager to sign the midfielder that the German side has reportedly agreed to pay a transfer fee in order bring the youngster to Gelsenkirchen immediately.

Hao has played his entire career in Tianjin, having made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2004. He has since racked up over 100 league appearances for the club and is regarded as one of the hottest young talents. He also had a trial with Chelsea before.

With 28 international caps already to his name, Hao was training with the China squad in Jinshan, but was given special dispensation to leave the camp and complete his move to Germany.

Schalke also said 20-year-old striker Gavranovic is joining Felix Magath's team from Neuchatel Xamax of Switzerland on a 3 1/2-year contract.

Europe's winter transfer window closed quietly on Monday, with none of the big-money moves that have dominated recent seasons.

The Premier League's infamously profligate clubs were mostly involved with loan transfers with Fulham one of the most active after picking up AS Roma striker Stefano Okaka and Aston Villa fullback Nicky Shorey until the end of the season.

The west London club also signed teenage midfielder Christopher Buchtmann from Liverpool and let Senegal forward Diomansy Kamara leave on loan for Scottish Premier League side Celtic.

Celtic took Bayern Munich defender Edson Braafheid for the rest of the season and also sealed a deal to take Ireland captain Robbie Keane from Tottenham on loan until the end of the season.

The highest-profile permanent transfer in England was South Africa striker Benni McCarthy's switch from Blackburn to West Ham for an undisclosed fee.

Manchester City roped in winger Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough on a 4-and- half-year contract.

Inter Milan loaned Brazilian midfielder Amantino Mancini to rival AC Milan, with the option of a permanent move at the end of the season.



 

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