Newcastle United completed the signing of highly-rated youngster Gael Bigirimana as the Rangers exodus continued with Steven Davis joining newly-promoted Southampton.
Bigirimana completed a medical at St James' Park on Friday after Newcastle agreed a fee, believed to be a little over £1 million ($1.5 million).
Bigirimana won the Championship's apprentice of the award last year and Coventry were not keen on letting the 18-year-old go, but were forced to, due to the club's current financial constraints and relegation from the championship to league one.
Defensive midfielder Bigirimana becomes Newcastle's second summer signing after Romain Amalfitano.
"It's a dream, it's a dream for me," Bigirimana told NUFC TV. "Since I was a kid, I always watched the soccer -- the Premier League and also big leagues -- and I always hoped that one day I would make it.
"But I didn't realise it would be this soon, so it's an exciting moment in my life and a challenge which I am looking forward to."
Bigirimana got his chance at Coventry after coming across the club's academy while out buying milk. He persuaded the officials to give him a trial and hasn't looked back since.
"Coventry was a great place for me -- I couldn't have hoped for better people to help me in my career. I really appreciate Coventry and I will always love them.
"It's my home, because when I moved from Africa, that's where I lived and the experience I had at Coventry, it was an amazing time.
"For me to move to Newcastle, which is a big, big, massive move for me, and I still can't believe it. It's like I am still dreaming."
Newcastle have stepped up their interest in Luuk de Jong by offering an improved bid of €12 million (£10 million, $15 million). A €10 million (£8 million, $12.5 million) offer was previously rejected by Dutch club FC Twente. The Dutch club are reportedly holding out for a little over €15 million (£12.1 million, $18.7 million).
Meanwhile, Steven Davis agreed on a three-year deal with Southampton after rejecting a move to newco Rangers. Davis was the captain of oldco Rangers and now joins the likes of Steven Naismith and Jamie Ness in the English Premier League.
"I'm delighted to get everything done and dusted, and I'm looking forward to getting started," Davis told Saints' official website.
"There was quite a bit of interest in me from other clubs but, after speaking to the chairman and the manager, I saw the level of ambition the club has shown.
"They've had a lot of success over the past couple of years to get to this stage, and they don't want to stand still - they want to keep moving forward, and that was a big thing for me.
"Now I'm just looking forward to getting down, getting to know the boys and getting started."
"It's very good and I'm very pleased," manager Nigel Adkins added. "Obviously the work the club has gone and done to make it happen is really promising for the future.
"Steven's an experienced player - a very talented player who has played international football, captained his country, captained Rangers, and played in the Premier League, so he's at a good age and comes with a wealth of experience as well.
"We work very hard behind the scenes and we're delighted that the club has managed to secure his services."
Southampton are also close to bringing in Alexander Buttner from club Vitesse Arnhem after the Dutch club confirmed a fee had been agreed between the two clubs.
"Vitesse and Southampton have agreed the transfer of Alexander Buttner to the Saints," Vitesse said on their official website.
"The left-back goes as soon as possible to the Premier League club for a medical examination.
"Both clubs spent the last few days discussing the transfer of the 23-year-old defender.
"Vitesse, on Friday, accepted an improved offer from the English Premier League club.
"This sees Alexander Buttner depart immediately to Southampton."
