West Brom sign international duo

West Bromwich Albion were among the busiest clubs in the transfer market yesterday ahead of last night's midnight deadline, completing the signing of the former Fulham midfielder Junichi Inamoto and following it up with the Romania international Cosmin Contra on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid.

West Bromwich Albion were among the busiest clubs in the transfer market yesterday ahead of last night's midnight deadline, completing the signing of the former Fulham midfielder Junichi Inamoto and following it up with the Romania international Cosmin Contra on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid.

Under the terms of the deal, the Baggies will pay the Spanish side a set fee for each game the 28-year-old right-back plays.

Inamoto, meanwhile, the 24-year-old Japan international who is currently injured, joins on a two-and-a-half year contract after the Baggies agreed to pay his club, Gamba Osaka, £200,000 when he makes his first competitive appearance.

Elsewhere, concerns about whether he would be able to settle in London were behind Miguel Angel Angulo's decision to turn down a move to Arsenal.

The Valencia midfielder looked all set to sign a four-year contract with the champions on Monday after travelling to England for a medical. But the 27-year-old was unconvinced that it was the right move for him.

Also staying put is the out-of-favour Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, who will not be leaving to join Fiorentina. Mutu started the season as fourth-choice at Chelsea but the 25-year-old Romanian will be staying in England.

Mutu made an instant impact last term after his £15.8m move from Parma but ended the season with only 10 goals.

Among the deals that did take place, Portsmouth have signed Valery Mezague from Montpellier for an undisclosed fee. The 21-year-old Cameroon international was at Fratton Park last night to discuss personal terms and could make his debut against Crystal Palace on 11 September.

Southampton confirmed the signing of Sweden international Andreas Jakobsson on a two-year deal. The 31-year-old has signed from Brondby for a fee of around £1m and becomes head coach Steve Wigley's first signing.

West Ham have completed the signing of the Wales international Carl Fletcher from Bournemouth. The 24-year-old, who can play in midfield or defence, passed a medical yesterday after a fee of around £250,000 had been agreed between the clubs.

Celtic are in talks with the Blackburn Rovers striker Dwight Yorke over a possible move. The Hoops were looking to take the former Manchester United man to Glasgow for the remainder of his Rovers contract. Yorke has fallen out of favour this season as Rovers manager Graeme Souness appears to favour a forward line of Paul Dickov and Jon Stead.