Transfer deadline day - the biggest moves

(CNN ) -- Transfer deadline day in Europe saw the usual frantic last-minute deals with English Premier League Arsenal swooping for a clutch of big name stars to strengthen their squad after a poor start to the season. Despite the market opening at the end of May, clubs often wait until the final moment to conclude transfer deals, hoping to buy or sell at the best possible price. England, as expected, with Arsene Wenger's team leading the way, saw the most money exchange hands, but there was also plenty of activity in the other major leagues in Italy, Spain, Germany and France. The dream moves of transfer deadline day? It was one of my dreams to play for a major European club and now I have accomplished this --Andre Santos RELATED TOPICS * Andre Santos * Diego Lugano * Joe Cole * Per Mertesacker * Owen Hargreaves * Fernando Gago Arsenal, thrashed 8-2 by Manchester United at the weekend, strengthened their defense with the signings of left-back Andre Santos from Turkish side Fenerbahce and German international center-half Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen. The 28-year-old Santos, who has won 22 caps for Brazil, has cost the London side $10m, whilst Bremen captain Mertesacker, 26, has a wealth of international experience, having played 75 times for his country. "With this transfer to London a dream has come true, taking another step in my career. I have always considered the English Premier League an intriguing challenge," Mertesacker told the official Bremen website. Arsenal also strengthened their midfield with the signing of Yossi Benayoun on loan from Chelsea and on the stroke of the deadline at 2300 local time, announced they had landed Everton star Mikel Arteta on a four-year deal. Santos leaves a Fenerbahce side that have recently been found guilty of match-fixing, resulting in them losing their place in the Champions League. Santos' departure came quickly on the heels of the Istanbul-based side selling Uruguay captain Diego Lugano to big-spending Paris St Germain in a three-year contract. I am happy to be able to play in Italian football --Fernando Gago Lugano told PSG's official website: "I am very happy to arrive in Paris. It is a great joy for me to know that I have arrived at a club with big ambitions. PSG are the most iconic French club and my goal is to help them get as high as possible." Four players left Arsenal on a busy day for the Emirates club with Nicklas Bendtner the biggest name as he went to Sunderland on a season-long loan. Fellow striker Gilles Sunu has joined French side Lorient on a four-year deal, while fellow forward Joel Campbell has also joined Lorient, but on a season-long loan deal. Also leaving the Gunners is midfielder Henri Lansbury, who has joined relegated West Ham on a loan deal for the season. Lansbury will replace England midfielder Scott Parker, who has completed his move to Tottenham for a fee in the region of $8m. Parker starred for West Ham despite the club's relegation from the Premier League last season, being named Footballer of the Year in the process. Going the other way, from Tottenham to West Ham, is former England midfielder David Bentley who, like Lansbury, left north London for the Hammers on a one-year loan deal. Tottenham, who failed in a bid to sign Gary Cahill from Bolton, also sold England international Peter Croach and Wilson Palacios to Stoke and sent fellow international Jermaine Jenas to Aston Villa on loan. Their Scottish international defender Alan Hutton went to Villa on a permanent deal. Mega-rich Manchester City have also added to their already impressive squad of players with the surprise signing of former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves on a one-year contract. Hargreaves was released by rivals Manchester United at the end of last season after two injury-plagued years at Old Trafford and his arrival at City adds to a midfield already boasting the likes of David Silva, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, James Milner, Gareth Barry, Adam Johnson and Nigel de Jong. But City trimmed their squad by selling Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy back to Liverpool in a surprise late move and Shaun Wright Phillips went to Queens Park Rangers. Two midfielders have left Liverpool for the French league. Danish international Christian Poulsen has joined Ligue One newcomers Evian on a one-year deal after a disappointing spell in Merseyside, while former England international Joe Cole has joined French champions Lille on a season-long loan. Chelsea, having missed out on signing Luka Modric from Tottenham, swooped to get Raul Meireles from Liverpool after he put in a late transfer request. The four-year deal was for a reported $18 million and he will link up with former teammate Fernando Torres at Stamford Bridge. French striker David Ngog also left Anfield to sign on a three-year deal for fellow EPL side Bolton, who also picked up Gael Kakuta from Chelsea on loan. PSG are the most iconic French club and my goal is to help them get as high as possible --Diego Lugano Another London side, Fulham, have also been active, signing Czech Republic defender Zdenek Grygera on a one-year contract from Juventus and Porto striker Orlando Sa on a three-year deal. Juventus themselves have made a signing, with Hamburg's Dutch Midfielder Eljero Elia moving to Turin on a four-year contract for a fee of $13m. Elia told the official Juventus website: "This is the biggest club in Italy, it was very important that coach Antonio Conte wanted me. And Hamburg have moved immediately to replace Elia, signing Croatian international midfielder Ivo Illicevic from Kaiserslautern on a four-year contract for a fee of $6 million. Spanish giants Real Madrid have trimmed their squad with three players leaving the Bernabeu, winger Pedro Leon and midfielders Fernando Gago and Royston Drenthe. Leon has been loaned back to his former club Getafe with the option to buy at the end of the season, while Argentine star Gago has joined AS Roma on loan. "I am happy to be able to play in Italian football," he told Spanish television. Dutchman Drenthe signed for EPL Everton on a season-long loan deal. Elsewhere, there have also been plenty of other comings-and-goings in Italy, with Udinese signing Uruguay international right-back Maximiliano Pereyra from River Plate on a five-year contract. And Inter Milan have also been active on the final day, signing Argentine striker Mauro Zarate on a season-long loan deal from Lazio for a fee of $4 million. Meanwhile, two defenders have left the San Siro. Full-back Davide Santon has completed his move to Newcastle on a five-year contract, while the Nerazzurri have released Colombian Nelson Rivas from his deal, which still had a year to run. Italian champions AC Milan have also strengthened the midfield with the signing of Antonio Nocerino from Palermo on a five-year deal. Nocerino, 26, has made more than 100 appearances for Palermo since joining from Juventus in 2008 and has won six caps for Italy. Zarate is not the only striker leaving Lazio on loan, with Sergio Floccari moving to rivals Parma with a view to a permanent move. Champions League side Napoli have also strengthened their squad with the signing of defender Ignacio David Fideleff from Newell's Old Boys on a five-year contract for a fee of $4 million. Roma have signed Gago and Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic from French side Lyon for $14 million on a four-year contract. And, in the Netherlands, Dutch champions Ajax have picked up Russian striker Dmitri Bulykin from Belgian side Anderlecht on a free transfer.

Lyon stars on his Test debut to skittle Sri Lanka

 
(CNN) -- Australia's Nathan Lyon made a sensational Test debut as his five-wicket haul skittled Sri Lanka on the second day in Galle and left his side in a strong position. Off-spinner Lyon, a controversial selection for the tour, took a wicket with his very first ball and ended with 5-34 as Sir Lanka crumbled to 105 all out. Australia, who scored 273 in their first innings, reached 115-6 after a collapse of their own, but still led by 283 runs on a deteriorating wicket. 16 wickets fell Thursday with Australian all-rounder Shane Watson chipping in with three wickets in 10 balls, while another newcomer Trent Copeland struck in his first over. But it was Lyon who made the biggest impression, becoming only the 14th bowler in Test history to take a wicket with his first ball as he removed Kumar Sangakkara, caught at slip by Michael Clarke. Watson played havoc with the Sri Lanka middle order as he removed Thilan Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardene and Paranavitana, all trapped leg before wicket to reverse swing. Lyon, who had just four first class matches ahead of the tour, then ripped through the home tail and his caught and bowled to remove last man Chanaka Welegedara completed his superb spell. Australia, looking to build a massive lead, lost Watson first ball and former captain Ricky Ponting for just 4, Clarke led from the front with 60 and first innings hero Hussey made 15 but Rangana Herath dismissed them with successive balls and then sent back Brad Haddin in his next over to leave Australia six down at the close.

Turkey dropped for 2012 F1 season

 
(CNN) -- The Turkish Grand Prix has been dropped as a venue on the Formula One calendar for the 2012 season. The Istanbul circuit was introduced into the world championship in 2005 and McLaren's Jenson Button won this year's edition of the race in July. Despite Turkey losing their race, the 20-round season will be the biggest in the in the history of F1, with Bahrain back in the fold. The 2011 grand prix in the gulf kingdom was canceled due to civil unrest in the country, but the 2012 event at the Sakhir circuit is set to take place on April 22. Formula One will also return to the United States for the first time since 2007 at a newly-built track in Austin, Texas. The U.S. previous hosted a race in Indianapolis. The season will begin in Australia for the second year in-a-row at the Melbourne Park street circuit. The final grand prix of the year with take place in Brazil, where Britain's Lewis Hamilton dramatically clinched the world championship in 2008. The next round of this year's championship is the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 11 with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel holding a commanding lead in the title race. 2012 Formula One season in full: Australia March 18 Malaysia March 25 China April 15 Bahrain April 22 Spain May 13 Monaco May 27 Canada June 10 Europe June 24 Great Britain July 8 Germany July 22 Hungary July 29 Belgium September 2 Italy September 9 Singapore September 23 Japan October 7 Korea October 14 India October 28 Abu Dhabi November 4 United States November 18 Brazil November 25

Dougherty leads as McIlroy and Kaymer give chase

 
(CNN) -- England's Nick Dougherty could salvage a disastrous season, as he led the European Masters after the first round but has major winners Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer as his nearest challengers at Crans-sur-Sierre. Dougherty, rated one of the most promising golfers on the European Tour, has missed 21 cuts in a row to slip to 791st in the world rankings but rediscovered his form Thursday with an eight-under 63 in the Swiss Alps. U.S. Open champion McIlroy and 2010 PGA Champion Kaymer were two shots back after 65s in the morning rounds, sharing second with England's Gary Boyd and Korean Lee Sung. In a star-studded line-up, world number two and his stablemate and British Open champion Darren Clarke were tied for eighth after 67s. In an unusual twist, the 29-year-old Dougherty was interviewed by his golf presenter wife Diane after his round and admitted he had not been easy to live with during his unexpected slump. "It's been tough coming home and having to deal with constant disappointment and I'm really, really proud of how I played. "It feels great, obviously. I've not had a lot to be happy about, and you've had to take the brunt of it and put up with me," he added on Sky Sports. Kaymer and McIlroy had set the morning pace with six under 65s, while Lee Westwood was set to join them until two late bogeys. McIlroy is playing his first tournament since he injured himself hitting a tree root at this year's U.S. PGA Championship. "My arm's nearly back to 100 per cent," he told the official European Tour website. "I had a good bit of treatment on it and rested it." Kaymer, who has slipped back to fifth in the rankings after briefly topping them, finished with back-to-back birdies to reinforce his challenge.

Greene takes gold in Daegu

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(CNN) -- Dai Greene completed a memorable hat-trick of titles ahead of next year's Olympics in London by storming to victory in the 400 meters hurdles at the world championships in Daegu Thursday. Greene, already the European and Commonwealth champion in the discipline, added the global crown to his tally with a scintillating performance to give Britain their first gold of the week. He surged off the final hurdle to overtake Puerto Rico's Javier Culson with LJ van Zyl of South Africa taking the bronze. Double Olympic champion Angelo Taylor, troubled by a foot injury, finished out of the medals. Greene, whose winning time was 48.26 seconds, timed his move perfectly in a race disrupted by two faulty starts and cool and windy conditions "Coming off the last hurdle I had so much momentum," Greene told Channel 4. He will go into next year's London Games as favorite to complete the full set of medals in major championships. Greene said he had been inspired by the surprise silver medal of teammate Hannah England in the women's 1500 meters final which preceded his event. England finished second to Jenny Simpson of the United States, with Spain's Natalia Rodriquez in third as for once African athletes were out of the medals in a distance event. But Kenyan runners dominated the men's 3,000 meters steeplechase with Ezekiel Kemboi defending his world title and having time to celebrate as he took gold ahead of teammate Brimin Kipruto. Simpson's gold was one of three for the medal-leading U.S. team with Jesse Williams winning the high jump with a 2.35m clearance ahead of Russia's Aleksey Dmitrik and Trevor Barry of the Bahamas, while Lashinda Demus cruised to victory in the women's 400m hurdles ahead of defending champion Melaine Walker of Jamaica. The other gold decided was in the women's triple jump which went to Ukraine's Olha Saladuha with a 14.94m effort.

Serena powers into third round in 49 minutes

 
(CNN) -- Serena Williams was detained on court for just 49 minutes in reaching the third round of the U.S. Open Thursday with a brutal demolition of Dutch qualifier Michaella Krajicek. Williams, who is the favorite for the final grand slam of the season despite her lowly 28th seeding, brushed aside Krajicek, who is the younger sister of former Wimbledon champion Richard. Williams wrapped up the first set in just 23 minutes with three breaks of service before Krajicek finally held at the start of the second. It proved a false dawn as Williams continued to punish her with big serves and powerful returns and the end came inevitably with a thumping ace from the American. Williams had nearly a year out through injury and illness, but has won two tournaments in the U.S. hard court season and looks to be back to the form which has seen her collect 13 grand slams. The 29-year-old's thoughts are with her sister Venus who withdrew from the tournament Wednesday after revealing she suffers from the auto-immune disease Sjogren's Syndrome "I know she's a fighter and she's really strong," Serena said. "She's great. I think she's really happy now that she knows what it is after all this time. "I think, if anything, it's going to help her now to treat it and go forward." A tougher test in the form of fourth seed Victoria Azarenka awaits Williams if the Belarus star can get past Argentina's Gisela Dulko later Thursday. World number one Caroline Wozniacki needed just 63 minutes on court in her 6-2, 6-0 victory over Arantxa Rus from the Netherlands on Thursday evening. The 21-year-old Dane will now play American Vania King for a place in the last 16. In other early action, 11th seed Jelena Jankovic continued her impressive run with a 6-3 6-4 win over Jelena Dokic of Australia to reach the last 32.

Djokovic in demolition mode; Federer sweeps Sela aside

  
(CNN) -- World number one Novak Djokovic dropped just two games on his way to the third round of the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows on Thursday evening. The Serb, who has lost only twice in 2011, annihilated Argentine Carlos Berlocq 6-0, 6-0, 6-2 in the Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I played good tennis. Obviously I wanted to win but on the other hand we all try to engage the crowd. I think the crowd got engaged in the third set. It was a lot of entertainment," Djokovic said afterwards, AFP reported. Earlier in the day, Roger Federer went past Andre Agassi in the grand slam record books as he beat Israel's Dudi Sela 6-3 6-2 6-2. It was the Swiss maestro's 225th singles win in the four major tournaments in tennis, overtaking Agassi for second on the all-time list. Agassi is the last over-30 to win a grand slam back in 2003, a feat Federer will be hoping to achieve by Sunday fortnight. Only Jimmy Connors with 233 victories is now ahead of Federer, who is bidding for a sixth U.S. Open crown. Federer looked below his best in his first round match against Santiago Giraldo, but put that right against Sela, who lacked the power to match him. The third seed dropped only seven points on service on the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court and in the heat of the day seemed happier than his first match in a night session when he had complained about the slowness of the courts. A single break gave him the first set and two breaks apiece in the following two sets saw him close out the match in impressive style. His third round opponent will be 27th seed Marin Cilic of Croatia, who brushed aside the exciting young Australian Bernard Tomic in straight sets, for the loss of just three games later in the afternoon. The first shock of Thursday came on Louis Armstrong where Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero came from two sets to one down to beat seventh seed Gael Monfils of France 7-6 5-7 6-7 6-4 6-4 in a near four-hour marathon match. But 11th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, who shocked Federer at Wimbledon, continued his impressive march with a 6-3 7-5 6-2 win over Ukraine's Sergei Bubka.