Wigan delight at Landzaat coup

Wigan yesterday signed the Netherlands midfielder Denny Landzaat from AZ Alkmaar. The 30-year-old, who earned his 21st cap at the World Cup, signed a three-year contract after Wigan agreed to pay an undisclosed transfer fee.

"He is a midfielder with an eye for goal and is my type of player," said the Wigan manager, Paul Jewell. "He has pace, hunger and vision."

The Liverpool defenders Djimi Traoré and Jan Kromkamp could be on their way out of Anfield but the club has distanced itself from reports that it is on the brink of signing the Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt. Traoré is being chased by Charlton and Bolton, with interest also shown by Fulham, while PSV Eindhoven are interested in Kromkamp.

West Bromwich Albion have rejected a second bid from Manchester United for their Poland goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. A goal seven minutes from time from Chinese striker Fangzhou Dong earned United a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in their friendly in South Africa last night.

Darren Bent, last season's leading Premiership scorer, has signed a new four-year contract at Charlton.

Blackburn are still in talks with Roma's striker, Mido.