Aaron Wan-Bissaka has joined West Ham United on a seven-year contract for a reported fee of £15million from Manchester United.
The 26-year-old spent five seasons at the club after joining for £50million in 2019, making 190 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils.
The English defender, who was born in London, returns to the capital having started his career in the south of the city with Crystal Palace.
Now in east London as West Ham's seventh signing of the transfer window, Wan-Bissaka is looking forward to his time in claret and blue.
"It was a no-brainer for me to join West Ham - I'm excited and happy to be here. It’s an amazing feeling to be back in London," Wan-Bissaka told the West Ham website.
“I was born here, so I know the ins and outs of London, which plays a big part in my life, so to be back playing in this city means a lot to me.”
Wan-Bissaka further strengthens Julen Lopetegui's defensive options after a season in which only Sheffield United (104), Luton Town (85) and Burnley (78) conceded more than West Ham's 74 last campaign.
The defender won 25 of his 42 tackles, a total only bettered by Kobbie Mainoo (27), Bruno Fernandes (38), Diogo Dalot (51) and Casemiro (56) for Erik ten Hag's side.
Now, Wan-Bissaka hopes to bring his defensive prowess to the Hammers, who will hope to improve on last season’s ninth-placed finish under new manager Lopetegui.
"I can't wait to get on the pitch, get to know the players, and push on from there,” he said.
"I see a team that is in it together, that will push each other to win, and a group that has got each others' backs through thick and thin.
“Being part of that and having that insurance helps a lot when you are surrounded by a good squad."
Brighton sign Germany U21 winger Gruda
Brajan Gruda has left Mainz for Brighton and Hove Albion in a reported £25.8million (€30m) deal.
The Germany Under-21 international established himself as a key man for Mainz last season, scoring four goals and assisting three more in 28 Bundesliga appearances.
As well as contributing in the final third, Gruda thrilled supporters with his dribbling style.
Indeed, his 76 carries with a take-on ranked third in the Bundesliga in 2023-24, behind only Leroy Sane (94) and Chris Fuhrich (83).
The 20-year-old earned admiring glances from around Europe, but it is Brighton who have moved to sign him on a contract until 2028.
Gruda becomes Brighton's second big right-sided winger signing of this transfer window, with the Seagulls having also bought Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle United.
Minteh, who has shone for Brighton in pre-season, spent last season on loan at Feyenoord and scored 10 Eredivisie goals across 27 matches, also netting once in the Champions League.
Newcastle drawn away to Forest in EFL Cup second round
Newcastle United will visit Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest in the second round of the EFL Cup.
Newcastle reached the final of this competition in 2022-23, also qualifying for the Champions League.
But Eddie Howe's men narrowly missed out on European football ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, meaning they enter the EFL Cup at this early stage.
The Magpies were handed one of the tougher possible draws, although they have won at the City Ground in each of the past two seasons. Newcastle and Forest will meet in Nottingham in the league in November.
Forest have enjoyed the sides' recent cup encounters rather more, knocking Newcastle out at this stage in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Elsewhere, Wednesday's draw, which was split into northern and southern sections, also pitted West Ham and Bournemouth against one another in a second all-Premier League tie.
Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle are to head to fellow Championship outfit Watford, while Middlesbrough host Stoke City after making the semi-finals last term and then beating Leeds United in the first round.
Rooney's former side Everton were drawn against Doncaster Rovers, the same opponents they defeated a year ago.
Ties will be played the week commencing August 26.
EFL Cup second-round draw in full:
Coventry City v Oxford United
Swansea City v Wycombe Wanderers
Wimbledon v Ipswich Town
Birmingham City v Fulham
Watford v Plymouth Argyle
West Ham v Bournemouth
Queens Park Rangers v Luton Town
Brighton and Hove Albion v Crawley Town
Crystal Palace v Norwich City
Cardiff City v Southampton
Millwall v Leyton Orient
Colchester United v Brentford
Grimsby Town v Sheffield Wednesday
Everton v Doncaster Rovers
Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool
Fleetwood Town v Rotherham United
Shrewsbury Town v Bolton Wanderers
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United
Barrow v Derby County
Leicester City v Tranmere Rovers
Middlesbrough v Stoke City
Barnsley v Sheffield United
Harrogate Town v Preston North End
Walsall v Huddersfield Town
Wolves v Burnley
Fernandes signs new Man Utd contract with 'best moments still to come'
Bruno Fernandes has signed a new Manchester United contract and believes his "best moments" for the Premier League giants are "still to come".
Fernandes joined United from Sporting CP in January 2020 for an initial fee of around £47million (€55m) and was an instant hit at Old Trafford.
The Portugal international scored 12 goals from midfield in that first COVID-hit campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before netting 28 across all competitions in his first full season in England.
Fernandes has gone on to tally 79 goals in 234 games for United, contributing 67 assists while creating more chances in the Premier League than any other player since his signing in 2020.
Having helped United to win the EFL Cup and return to the Champions League in 2022-23, Fernandes was named captain by Erik ten Hag at the start of last season.
It proved a difficult campaign for the Red Devils but ended with Fernandes in inspired form as his side beat rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final, securing silverware and European football once again.
Now, on the eve of a new Premier League season, Fernandes has committed his future to United, agreeing a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2027 with the option of a further year.
It has been reported the new terms will bring his salary in line with United's top earners.
Fernandes' performances have more than justified that status, yet he is confident United fans will see even more from both he and the team in the coming years.
"Everybody knows the passion I have for Manchester United," Fernandes told the club's media channels.
"I understand the responsibility and significance of wearing this shirt and the levels of dedication and desire required to represent this incredible club.
"I have had so many special moments here already; hearing my name sung from the Stretford End, scoring a hat-trick against Leeds, leading the team out at Old Trafford on European nights and lifting trophies at Wembley.
"But I wouldn't have signed this contract if I didn't believe that my best moments in a United shirt are still to come.
"From my discussions with the football leadership and manager, it is clear how determined everyone is to fight for major trophies in the years ahead.
"I can see how positive the future is going to be, and I am relishing leading this team forward."
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