Transfer wrap: Muslera heads to Turkey

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera has joined Galatasaray from Lazio on a five-year contract, for a fee of 6.75 million euros.

The 25-year-old joined Lazio in 2007 from Nacional of Montevideo, but initially found life difficult with the Rome outfit, where he was even benched in favour of veteran Marco Ballotta.

However, he displaced Juan Pablo Carrizo in goal during the 2008/09 season, going on to become an integral part of the side.

Managing to transfer his form to the international stage, Muslera has won plaudits worldwide following his performances in this month’s Copa America.

The goalkeeper has penned a long-term deal with the Turkish club, where he will pocket two million euros a year, and compete with Aykut Ercetin for the role of Galatasaray’s first-choice shot-stopper.

In other transfer news, Fulham have signed Czech midfielder Marcel Gecov from Czech side Liberec.

Gecov’s agent Jiri Mueller said on Wednesday the 23-year-old defensive midfielder signed a two-year contract after undergoing a medical, and Fulham have an option to extend the initial deal for one more year.

Liberec spokesman Lukas Vana said the formalities over the 500,000 pound transfer were expected to be concluded shortly.

Europa League champions FC Porto have continued to strengthen for the new season with the 13 million euro acquisition of versatile Brazilian Under-20 international Danilo Luiz da Silva.

The 20-year-old, who can play at right-back or in midfield, arrives from Santos FC on an undisclosed fee fresh from helping his club win the Copa Libertadores.

Danilo will arrive in Portugal after the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia, where the America FC youth product will represent Brazil, having been part of the side that retained the South American title in January.

Danilo is Porto’s sixth signing of the summer – wingers Juan Iturbe, Kelvin de Oliveira and Djalma Campos, goalkeeper Rafael Bracalli and striker Kleber Pinheir having previously joined the club now coached by Vitor Pereira.

Porto take on Barcelona in the UEFA Super Cup on August 26 in Monaco and will begin their UEFA Champions League campaign in the group stage.

In the Championship, former Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Hull midfielder George Boateng has signed a one-year deal with Nottingham Forest, rejoining former manager Steve McClaren.

Boateng, 35, spent last season with Greek club Skoda Xanthi.