Football Transfers - Summer 2012

Shinji Kagawa sealed his move to United in June 2012, agreeing a four-year contract to become the club's first-ever Japanese player.

Kagawa is an exciting, attacking midfielder who is most at home playing 'in the hole' behind a centre-forward, though he's also adept in a wide role.

He made his name in two successful seasons with Borussia Dortmund, whom he helped to a first-ever domestic Double in 2011/12.

The German side spotted his potential while playing in his homeland for Cerezo Osaka, for whom he signed professional forms before graduating from high school.

He helped Cerezo gain promotion to the J-League and scored seven goals in 11 appearances in the top flight before moving to the Bundesliga in 2010 for a bargain €350,000.

Kagawa is one the star names in what is rated by many as the best ever Japan team. His full international debut was in a Kirin Cup match against Ivory Coast in 2008 but he missed out on a place in the World Cup squad two years later.

A metatarsal injury at the 2011 Asian Cup, after shining in the tournament, interrupted his progress but he made an impressive return domestically in the 2010/11 season, scoring eight goals in 18 games to earn a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, despite being sidelined for a lengthy spell.

Chelsea career
Eden Hazard agreed terms to sign for Chelsea in June 2012 from Lille in France, where he had played since 2005.

He became the fourth Belgian to join the club following the arrivals of Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.

Pre Chelsea
Born on 7 January 1991 in La Louviere, Belgium, both of Hazard's parents played football at a professional level.

After a youth career which saw him play for both Royal Stade Brainois and Tubize, he made the switch to Lille back in 2005.

Two years later, during the 2007/08 season, he made a handful of substitute appearances, before the following campaign saw him really make his mark and become a first team regular, earning him international recognition and the Young Player of the Year award at only 17-years-old.

The 2009/10 season saw him shine once again, ensuring he was crowned Young Player of the Year for the second successive season, while also being named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

The 2010/11 campaign was arguably his most memorable in a Lille shirt, although it didn't start well. Hazard was publicly criticised by Belgium coach Georges Leekens before being dropped for Lille and failing to start a game for two months.

However, after forcing his way back into the side, he played an integral role in inspiring the team to a league and cup double, while also being crowned Player of the Year.

Glowing references from the likes of Zinedine Zidane only served to enhance his stock, and it was almost inevitable that one day the biggest clubs in Europe would come calling.

During his final season at Lille, when he was a team-mate of Joe Cole, he scored 21 goals in 48 games and made 18 assists, as the club finished third behind Montpellier and Paris St-Germain to make the Champions League qualifying rounds.

He signed off in style after being handed the captain's armband for his final game for Lille, scoring a memorable hat-trick against Nancy in a devastating first-half display.

International career
Hazard made his Belgium international debut as a 17-year-old in a game against Luxembourg in November 2008, coming on as a late substitute and has 28 caps to his name.

Source - chelseafc.com

Jordi Alba signs his contract with FC Barcelona

The first new arrival for the 2012/13 season has signed his contract, binding him to FC Barcelona for the next five seasons