Premier League, Bundesliga transfer news, done deals: Neven Subotic, Patrice Evra, Alen Halilovic

ONE of Jurgen Klopp’s favourites from Borussia Dortmund has made a move, and it’s not to Liverpool as had been linked, while a former Barcelona starlet returns to La Liga.

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp.

NEVEN Subotic has confirmed he has joined Cologne on loan from Bundesliga rivals Dortmund until the end of the season, as he looks to regain form after injury.

The 28-year-old has been with Dortmund since Jurgen Klopp brought him to the club in 2008 and was a key part of the side which won the 2011 and 2012 German league titles.

He lifted the 2012 German Cup after Dortmund’s 5-2 win over Bayern Munich in the final, but then lost the 2013 Champions League final against the Bavarians.

But Subotic has fallen out of favour with Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel, who took over from Klopp in 2015, after being blighted by injury and this loan deal with Cologne will last until the end of the season.

“I have a smile on my face and I am really looking forward to the new challenge at a new club,” said the Serbia international before training with Cologne.

“I am very grateful for the fantastic years at Borussia Dortmund. As an ambitious professional, my focus from today on is 100 percent on FC Cologne.

“I want to play in the Bundesliga again and that’s what drives me on.”

Klopp and Subotic during their time together at Dortmund.

A rib injury, which needed an operation, scuppered Subotic’s plans to join Middlesbrough before the start of the season and links with a move to Liverpool had persisted given his connections with Klopp, who had also managed Subotic at Mainz.

He then suffered a knee injury, which restricted him to just two reserve team games for Dortmund this season.

Dortmund’s director of sport Michael Zorc says Subotic has only been sent on loan “to get a high level of match practice” while Borussia’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says they will welcome him back.

“He is a friend for all time, Dortmund remains his home and he will always be welcome back here,” said Watzke.

MARSEILLE SIGNS LEFT BACK PATRICE EVRA FROM JUVENTUS

Marseille signed veteran left back Patrice Evra from Italian champion Juventus, the French club’s first significant signing under its new ownership.

Marseille said on its website that Evra had signed an 18-month deal, giving no further details. He was in the final six months of his contract in Italy.

The 35-year-old Evra won two league titles with Juventus after eight years with Manchester United, but he started only three league games this season. Evra, who has 81 caps for France, returns to the French league after 11 years away. He played for Monaco from 2002-2006 before joining United, helping Monaco reach the Champions League final in 2004.

Marseille, which is in seventh place in the French league, was bought last October by American businessman Frank McCourt - the former owner of baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers.

Evra’s experience will prove useful for a shaky defense that has leaked in the past two league games, losing 4-1 at home to Monaco and 3-1 away to Lyon.

WATFORD SIGN NIANG ON LOAN FROM AC MILAN

Watford signed AC Milan forward M’Baye Niang on loan for the rest of the season as boss Walter Mazzarri looks to rejuvenate his spluttering side.

The 22-year-old Frenchman, who can play wide or up front, could make his debut in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at third-tier Millwall.

Niang arrives at Vicarage Road with the chance to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

“Watford FC is pleased to confirm the capture of exciting young AC Milan forward M’Baye Niang,” the Premier League side said.

Niang became the second-youngest scorer in AC Milan history when he netted in a Coppa Italia tie aged 17 years and 350 days in December 2012.

LAS PALMAS SEAL LOAN DEAL FOR HALILOVIC

Croatian midfielder Alen Halilovic returned to La Liga on an 18-month loan deal with Las Palmas from Hamburg.

The former Barcelona and Sporting Gijon playmaker had failed to establish himself in just six months with the German side since joining from Barca, making just seven appearances and scoring one goal.

“Las Palmas and German side Hamburg have agreed a loan until the end of the 2017-18 season for Croatian international Alen Halilovic,” Las Palmas said in a statement.

“As part of the loan contract, Las Palmas has an option to buy the 20-year-old.” Halilovic was one of Europe’s hottest properties when he was snapped up by Barca at just 17 from Dinamo Zagreb.

However, despite impressing on a season-long loan at Gijon last season, he was allowed to move to Hamburg in July.

Las Palmas sit 11th in La Liga just six points off the European places.

Originally published as Premier League, Bundesliga transfer news, done deals: Neven Subotic, Patrice Evra, Alen Halilovic