Sorensen: I always thought Villa was a good club

Aston Villa's newest recruit, Thomas Sorensen, has told of his relief that his transfer has finally been completed.

It's taken just over a week for discussions to be completed, with Sorensen apparently holding out for a loyalty payment in the region of £500,000 from Sunderland who are struggling with debts in the region of £25m - but Villa confirmed to the London Stock Exchange earlier today that the transfer had finally been concluded.

Sorensen said tonight, "I'm just glad to be here at last - this is a big move for me.

"I had five very good seasons at Sunderland and that’s why I’m here today. I was looking for a new challenge and I always thought – even in my days back in Denmark – that Aston Villa was a good club. Now I’m very happy to be joining.

And Thomas revealed his feelings about Sunderland's relegation and his ambition to remain a Premiership player. "I feel I belong at the highest level. Obviously it was sad what happened at Sunderland, but I’m looking to improve all the time and I needed to be playing on a bigger stage. It was very important for me to remain in the Premiership. "

Villa's new keeper will link up with his former Sunderland colleague Gavin McCann, who signed for the Villans on 24th July and immediately made an impact in Villa's pre-season programme. Sorensen said, "It will be nice to see Gavin. I’ve heard that he’s done really well in his first couple of games and he’s a good player. So it hasn’t come as a surprise to hear that he’s done well.

"It has all been a bit hectic, but I’m just glad that I’m here in time to get a few games in before the season starts."

Rangers might yet bid for Superkev - McLeish

The proposed transfer of Kevin Phillips to Gordon Strachan's Southampton FC is far from being a done deal, and today it emerged that Rangers are pondering the possibility of a counter-bid for the striker.

Phillips is due to meet Strachan for discussions this weekend but it's thought likely that should he agree to play for the south coast club, Phillips would need to take a significant wages cut from the reported £30,000-a-week he is said to receive from Sunderland.

But Rangers boss Alex McLeish has confirmed that the possibility of them bidding for Phillips shouldn't be written off completely.

Rangers would be in a better position to finance a deal for Phillips if they can beat Copenhagen later this month, to progress to the Champions' League group stages.

McLeish told The Scotsman newspaper that preparations for a bid were not moving forward at the current time, but "I would think that the best thing we can all do – myself, the players and the coaches – is get in the Champions League proper. That would help.

"You would have ask Martin (Bain, director of football business) or the chairman John McClelland on these issues.

“But it would be a boost for the club if we were to get into the Champions League.”

SAFC Players, directors and management agree wage deferral scheme

Press release from Sunderland AFC:

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Sunderland AFC and the Professional Footballers' Association today
confirmed that an agreement has been reached with regard to a wage
deferral scheme at the club

The club and the players' union revealed that players, club directors
and senior management had agreed to accept a deferral on part of their
salaries as part of the club's financial re-structuring programme, which
began 4 months ago. Sunderland chairman Bob Murray and Vice Chairman
John Fickling revealed earlier this year (1st April) that they had both
resolved to forego their salaries in full.

Bob Murray said: " I think the fact that players, directors and senior
management have come together and agreed to the deferral says an
enormous amount about them as people and their personal loyalty and
commitment to the club. It is tremendous that so many people at the club
have willingly agreed to assist the club in this way.

" The players, football management and senior executives at the club all
understand the reality of our situation and what needs to be done in the
coming months. It is inspiring and heartening to see everyone working so
closely together and with such a great team spirit, so that the club can
move forward positively again. I feel incredibly grateful to everyone
that has been so wholehearted and unreserved in their support and
rallied to limit the damage of relegation for the club.

" As I've stated previously we have been working on broad financial
re-structuring for several months now to adjust to the realities of life
outside the Premier League. To do this it was important that we acted
early and decisively. Fundamental to this has been agreeing a strategy
that we can deliver. We have to make a considerable financial adjustment
but we will be strong enough to do that."

Mick McGuire, Deputy Chief Executive of the PFA said: " We have been in
discussions with the club throughout the summer and I can only applaud
the players and non-playing staff for their commitment in ensuring
Sunderland can move forward in such a positive manner. I am very
confident that we'll see Sunderland go forward from strength to strength
now."

Sorensen to Leave

The club have confirmmed that Thomas Sorensen is expected to complete his move to Aston Villa today subject to completing his medical, personal terms having been agreed with both clubs.