Birmingham sign Hleb, Jiranek and Beausejour

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has completed the loan signing of Barcelona's Alexander Hleb and has also moved for Chilean star Jean Beausejour and Spartak defender Martin Jiranek.

Hleb joins on a year-long loan from Barcelona while Beausejour has made a £4 million move from Club America and signed a three-year deal, with both players having already being granted work permits.

"Hleb is a top quality player - one who at one stage we'd only actually dreamed about really,'' McLeish told the club's official website. "Over the past year or so we have talked about him but with no real belief we could get him.

"We decided to give it a try and towards the end of the window we found out it might be possible. This is a major signing for us and we are very happy to have him here.

"He is an extremely creative type who is skilful, a great dribbler and has an excellent touch and great feet. He has huge international experience and great pedigree due to playing for such clubs as Stuttgart, Arsenal and Barcelona.

"As with all the players we have brought to the club in recent times I'd like to thank the board for their support in making them happen.''

The club have also wrapped up a deal with Russian side Spartak Moscow over a cut-price deal for versatile defender Jiranek, whose contract expires in December. He has moved to St Andrew's on a one-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish said: ''We are short at the back with regards to defensive cover. Jiranek has tremendous experience on club, European and international fronts. He is a good presence and his arrival will keep Roger Johnson and Scott Dann on their toes.''

The signings will go some way at least to tempering McLeish's disappointment at failing to land targets Moussa Dembele and Charles N'Zogbia over the last two weeks.

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Hart: Takeover is imminent

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart is hoping the club will finally have new owners after it emerged chief executive officer Peter Storrie is fronting up a consortium wanting to take over at Fratton Park.

He said: "What do I know about the takeover? Only that we might be getting some good news so we are keeping our fingers crossed that there might be a successful bid.

"I think it is imminent. We need to get this sorted out. That is pretty obvious to everybody.

"Will there be any money if the takeover goes through? I've not had any detailed talks. We have got targets and it doesn't necessarily mean we will be spending money.

" Portsmouth looks set to collect their first point of the campaign until James, who had made a fine save to deny Kevin Phillips, was adjudged to have caught Larsson by referee Lee Probert.

Hart said: "I've looked at the penalty and it is harsh. The referee was perfectly placed. Why he had to rely on the linesman, I just don't know.

"If you look at David James, his eyes are on the ball and his arms are outstretched to catch it."

Blues manager James McLeish had stressed the need to make St Andrews a fortress this season after too many draws had cost the club their top-flight spot two years ago.

He said: "It's very important to get that first win on the board. We started the game with completely different tactics to the Manchester United game.

"We worked hard at getting it right. We played some good football. We got a bit tired in the second half but came strong again with the substitutes.

"As for the penalty, I was nowhere near it but the players are adamant David James was over zealous with his challenge.

"We will take the free point. For 30 years I have seen games like that - and my heart is still ticking.

"We did get put through the mill today but we have got a great victory.

" McLeish may have to go back into the transfer market as left-back Gregory Vignal is struggling with a hip problem. But he admitted the deal to try and sign Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel has still to be finalised.

Source: ESPN Soccernet, August 20, 2009

Birmingham complete signing of Irish kid O'Shea

Birmingham City have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland Under-21 winger James O'Shea.

O'Shea sealed his move from Galway United to the newly-promoted Barclays Premier League club and signed a two-year contract, which could be extended by two further years should he impress.

The 20-year-old, who has joined for an undisclosed fee, can play on the right of midfield or as a striker, and scored 10 goals for Galway last season.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish told bcfc.com: "James is a quick young winger with good feet. We had him over to take a look at him last season but it was at a stage where we'd already taken on players on loan and we couldn't do a deal.

"He came back on the radar quite recently and he's a good young prospect we hope can be a future star.

"We took a bit of a gamble with Keith Fahey coming over (from St Patrick's) last year and he's been a revelation. He was excellent in our bid to get back to the Premier League. He was one of the main catalysts.

"James is not for going into the team right now. We felt he was worth a wee shout because he didn't cost the earth but is hopefully one we can turn into a top player."

Source: ESPN Soccernet, August 10, 2009