McFadden joins Birmingham

Transfer news:  Birmingham have completed the signing of Everton striker James McFadden in a deal thought to be worth £5.75million.

The Scotland international is reunited with Blues boss Alex McLeish after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

The Goodison Park club announced the completion of the deal on their website this morning. The deal has gone through in time for McFadden to be available for tomorrow's visit of Chelsea.

Birmingham, who also confirmed the transfer, are understood to have agreed to make a down-payment of £4.75million with another £1million based on add-ons.

McFadden is expected to go straight into the side for tomorrow's home Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea.

McLeish is confident McFadden can make a big impact during the next five years with Blues.

The former Scotland boss said: "I am delighted to have signed James. He is not just a guy who can score great goals. He can also create things and make things happen and he has got a big heart.

"He is the type of player you know you are going to get everything from for the entire 90 minutes of a game.

"He has matured. He has had his initiation at Everton in the Premier League and for me he is a definite Premier League player. He has shown that in a very good Everton side this season.

"When he has come into the side, I am not so sure anyone has looked as good as him."

McLeish has already signed Hibernian full-back David Murphy for £1.5million and is pressing ahead with his attempt to sign Aston Villa central defender Gary Cahill after being given permission to speak to him by Martin O'Neill.

• Fulham have signed Norway defender Brede Hangeland from Copenhagen on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Texas-born centre-half Hangeland (26) was captain of FK Viking under Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson, who has hailed him as a welcome addition to the team.

Hodgson said: "I am delighted to welcome Brede to Fulham and I think he will prove to be a tremendous signing for us.

"I am of course very familiar with his ability and am confident that he will help our defensive options, and play an important part in the remaining games of this, and the following seasons."

• Wigan have completed the permanent signing of Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia.

The 21-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal at JJB Stadium, subject to international clearance, and joins for an undisclosed fee from Spanish club Villarreal.

Valencia, who starred at the 2006 World Cup for his country, is halfway through his second season at the Lancashire club after joining on loan at the start of 2006/07.