Transfer News and Speculation: 29 July

(GETTY)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane continued his summer spending spree by completing the signing of Bolton forward El Hadji Diouf for an undisclosed fee yesterday.

The 27-year-old Senegal international has agreed a four-year deal with the Black Cats after spending four seasons at the Reebok Stadium.

Diouf becomes Keane's fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Teemu Tainio, Nick Colgan, David Meyler and Pascal Chimbonda. Keane was eager to bolster his attacking options ahead of the start of the Premier League season and the versatile Diouf is able to play on the wing or as a deep-lying forward.

Diouf's time in English football, with Liverpool and Bolton, has not been short of controversy, the most high-profile incident occurring when he spat at a Celtic fan during a Uefa Cup tie while at Liverpool. But despite his controversial past, Keane has no qualms about signing a player he believes other clubs "love to hate" if he can improve the quality in his squad. "El Hadji is a great signing for us and we're thrilled to get him," Keane said. "He has bags of Premier League and international experience, which is exactly what we have been targeting this summer."

Gardner to quit Spurs for Hull

Hull City Centre-back Anthony Gardner is set to leave Tottenham for Premier League newcomers Hull, and he is determined to enjoy regular first-team football.

He said: "I had to think about the direction that my career was going in. I wasn't playing at Tottenham and then didn't get the chance on loan at Everton either. I needed to come out and play football."

Megson moves for winger Riga

Bolton manager Gary Megson has boosted his attacking options by signing the Levante winger Mustapha Riga subject to international clearance. The 26-year-old Riga, capped by the Netherlands at Under-21 level, was among the players to protest at Levante's failure to pay them last season, as the Spanish club's financial problems resulted in their relegation.

Transfer chat on the net

*Is Keane's Liverpool move value for money?: "It is too much money. He is good but is he what we [Liverpool] need? I presume Gerrard will be stuffed out on the right again... I thought the Gerrard-Torres thing worked well last season." - TimeForARafavolution, www.redandwhitekop.com

*Muntari move to Inter: "This deal could have been all done a bit hasty from our point of view. It was a sacrifice, and one at a good profit, but one that could prove pointless and weakening if we don't end up getting Shaun Wright-Phillips." - PompeyRedSox, www.thefootballforum.net

*YESTERDAY'S COMPLETED MOVES

El-Hadji Diouf (Bolton) to Sunderland: Undisclosed

Robbie Keane Tottenham to Liverpool: £19m

Kevin Gall (Carlisle) to Lincoln: Loan

Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth) to Inter: Undisclosed

Jamie Stanley (Blackburn) to Accrington: Loan

Daniel Nardeillo (QPR) to Blackpool: Undisclosed

Riga Mustapha (Levante) to Bolton: Undisclosed