Transfers: Browne joins Sunderland, Palhinha to Bayern

Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has completed a move to English Championship club Sunderland.

The 29-year-old left Preston last month and has penned a three-year contract with the Black Cats.

“It’s a big change for me after being at Preston for such a long time, but it’s brilliant to be here,” Browne tole the Sunderland FC website.

“Sunderland is one of the biggest clubs in England and I can’t wait to get started. I captained Preston for some time, so hopefully I can bring those leadership qualities to the Stadium of Light and add to what is a very talented squad.”

Browne had spent 10 years at Deepdale and made 412 appearances fore the club before deciding to opt for a new challenge.

Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha on a deal until 2028.

The Portugal international, who made 33 appearances for Marco Silva’s men in the Premier League last season, has made the switch to the Bundesliga almost a year since his deadline-day move to the German giants collapsed.

The 29-year-old joined the west London club in 2022 from Sporting Lisbon and will now play his football under new Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, having moved for a reported €50 million.

Kompany’s raid of Premier League clubs continues after he moved to sign Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise earlier this month.

Palhinha joins the list of notable departures from Craven Cottage this summer with Tosin Adarabioyo and Bobby De Cordova-Reid having left the club on free transfers and with the future of out-of-contract Willian still up in the air.

Defensive midfielder Palhinha featured at Euro 2024 for Portugal where they were knocked out of the competition in the quarter-finals by France on penalties.

This is a second successive summer where Fulham have received a large fee for a high-profile player, with Aleksandar Mitrovic departing last August to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

Silva still has Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed at his disposal to replace Palhinha but could look to the market for replacements ahead the Cottagers’ season opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 16 August.

Philippe Coutinho has joined Brazilian side Vasco de Gama on a season-long loan from Aston Villa.

The 32-year-old spent last season playing for Al-Duhail in Qatar having fallen out of favour at Villa Park, making just two substitute appearances last term before being loaned out.

He has two years remaining on the deal he signed when joining from Barcelona in 2022 for €20m, a fraction of the record €170m the La Liga side paid in order to sign him from Liverpool four years earlier.

He has scored six goals in 43 games for Villa.

Watford have brought midfielder Moussa Sissoko back to the club on a two-year contract.

The former France international joins on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Ligue 1 side Nantes.