Arsenal and Liverpool have missed out on Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson after the player signed a new long-term deal at Eastlands. The England under-21 international had been heavily linked with a move to either Anfield or the Emirates but the chances of a move now are dead.

Johnson, 21, has made a major impact at the City of Manchester stadium since breaking into the first team almost eighteen months ago. Both Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger were extremely keen to persuade Johnson to leave City, with a £12 million bid being rumoured by both sides.

I am delighted to see Johnson opt to stay at City, largely down to the fact that I am a City fan myself. I also think it is a very intelligent decision from the player who will benefit greatly from this decision because if he had opted to leave he would not of been guaranteed a first team place at Arsenal or Liverpool.

Managerless West Ham United have officially announced the signing of full-back Walter Lopez.

22-year-old left-back Lopez is a Uruguayan international and has joined the club on a one-year deal after negotiating a release from his contract at former club River Plate during the summer months.

The three-times capped player joins outside the transfer window due to his free agent status and was delighted to arrive at Upton Park despite the recent controversy surrounding former manger Alan Curbishley’s resignation this week.

Lopez could not hide his delight upon signing on at the club and revealed he is a massive Premier League fan.

“I am really happy to be here and I hope to have a good career,” he told the club’s official website.

“I watch the Premier League on TV all the time and it is the number one league in the world – the best – and I am delighted to be a part of it,” added Lopez.

“Upton Park is a beautiful stadium and it will be great to play for West Ham. I am looking forward to it.

“It is a great club and there are some great players at the club. I know about many of them like Lucas Neill and Craig Bellamy. Everyone here has made me feel very welcome. The fans are passionate and I hope to show them what I can do.”

Caretaker boss Kevin Keen revealed his happiness at the addition, stating that he felt Lopez was a player capable of exciting the Hammers faithful.

“Walter is a very attacking full-back who can get forward,” Keen said.

“He is a West Ham type player who will hopefully show everyone what he can do”.

Lopez has been allocated the number five shirt to wear this season and adds to the signings of Italian forward David Di Michele and Congolese full-back Herita Ilunga, who signed year-long loan deals on deadline day.

Ref From Chris Myson, Goal.com

Former Inter forward Alvaro Recoba has agreed a contract with Greek side Panionios.

Recoba spent just over a decade at Inter, during which time he also represented Venezia and Torino on loan.

Despite his initial promise, El Chino failed to live up to expectations with the Nerazzurri and no attempt was made to offer him a new deal when his contract expired this summer.

The 32-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with Panionios - the side Napoli beat in the Intertoto Cup last month.

Having been one of Italy’s most richly rewarded players, Recoba has taken a significant pay cut and will receive a modest £800,000 per year.

A significant factor in Recoba’s decision was the chance to play alongside former Inter flop and close friend Lampros Choutos in Athens.

Ref From channel4.com