MANCHESTER CITY yesterday completed the £1.5 million signing of Liverpool's former England star, Nigel Clough.

They beat off competition from Endsleigh League Division One side Birmingham for his signature.

Clough (29), agreed to join City after nearly three hours of talks with chairman Francis Lee and manager Alan Ball.

"He's a player of top quality. He's a good disciplined lad on and off the field and he'll be a treat for our fans. We are delighted to have signed him," said Ball.

Clough has made just 39 Premiership appearances for Liverpool and his only start this season was in the 1-0 win at Bolton.

The move gives him the opportunity to resurrect his career as he joins City's fight to avoid relegation.

Former England winger Andy Sinton yesterday returned to London by signing for Tottenham for £1.5 million from Sheffield Wednesday.

The 29 year old rejoins Gerry Francis - his boss at Queens Park Rangers - on a 3 1/2 year deal, but has not been registered in time to play in Sunday's match at Aston Villa.

Spurs boss Francis said: "I am just delighted to add another quality player to the squad - somebody who I know very well - and he will have 10 clear days now to settle down with us before he can play."

Spurs have financed the deal by selling Romanian international Ilie Dumitrescu to West Ham for a similar figure and brought Wednesday down from their original asking price of £2 million.

Sinton will provide Francis with the kind of left sided attacker he feels he has always needed.

Francis said: "I bought Ruel Fox from Newcastle to give us some width on the right and now I have another good winger. They are a basic principle of the way I want to play and I am convinced Andy is going to be another big asset for us.

Marc Hottiger yesterday ended his Newcastle nightmare with a £700,000 move to Everton.

"I need to play first team foot ball," said 28 year old Hottiger, who had to drop his wage demands to seal his move to Goodison.

"It's five months since I've played in the first team at Newcastle and I was worried that I would not be picked for Switzerland.

"But I've not just joined Everton for the European Championships. I am a professional footballer who wants to play football.

However his sell on the side lines is set to continue despite the move, as Everton now have to reapply for a work permit for Hollinger.