Gaby Gets Himself Into The Cottage

Gaby Zakuani

Fulham have wrapped up the signing of Leyton Orient central defender Gabriel Zakuani for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around the £700,000 mark, on a four-year contract. The 20-year-old DR Congo international was a key figure in the O's side that won promotion from League Two last season and Cottagers boss Chris Coleman is delighted to have beaten off competition from a number of other clubs for Zakuani's signature.

Pablo Mills has become Rotherham's sixth signing of the summer, the 22-year old ex-Derby County defender joining up with the Millmoor outfit having spent time training with the Merry Millers recently. Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood has completed his first signing at the City Ground with the capture of Southampton goalkeeper Paul Smith, 26-year old Smith having penned a three-year contract with the Tricky Trees.

Yeovil seemingly haven't finished signing players yet, the Glovers having 18-year old left-winger Ishmael Welsh from West Ham, 26-year old ex-Blackpool striker Lee Morris and 25-year old ex-Sheffield Wednesday frontman Michele Di Piedi on trial this week. A few more trialists floating around the League One scene are Newcastle winger Martin Brittain and French left back Zoumana Bagayoko at Brighton, and 29-year old Mali international striker Abdoulai Demba at Crewe, Demba having previously scored 10 goals in 32 games for Yeovil in 2002. Meanwhile Swansea have 30-year old former Cardiff midfielder Willie Boland, and goalkeepers Mikel Herbet and Andy Oakes on trial at the Liberty Stadium this week.

New Brentford manager Leroy Rosenior has snapped up 26-year old ex-Bournemouth defender Adam Griffiths on a one-year contract, while making strikers Scott Fitzgerald, formerly of Watford, and ex-Peterborough man Callum Willock available on free transfers at Griffin Park. 35-year old experienced defender Jason Dodd has joined Conference South side Eastleigh after spending 16 years at Southampton then just 12 months at Brighton, before leaving the Withdean Stadium at the end of last season. Staying at the wrong end of the age scale Grimsby have signed 40-year old former Scunthorpe winger Peter Beagrie on a player/coach basis on a one-year deal, the Mariners also snapping up ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder Gary Harkins, 21, on a two-year contract.