Queens Park Rangers pulled off a major coup by sealing the signature of experienced Brazilian international Julio Cesar from Inter Milan, with the goalkeeper stating it was his desire to experience the English Premier League that tilted the balance in the London club's favor.
The 32-year-old signed a four-year contract with QPR, and with it officially ended his seven-year stay with Inter. "The English Premier League is the best division in the world," Cesar told the club's official website. "Everyone wants to play here and I am no different.
"Now I just want to give my all to the club and show the fans what I am capable of. This is a really exciting move for me and I can't wait to get going."
"The ambition of this club was presented to me by the chairman and the coach and I couldn't have been more impressed.
"The desire to achieve things at this club is clear for everyone to see and I wanted to be part of that. I have come here to compete for the shirt and give my all."
Hughes was ecstatic after completing the deal for such an experienced shot-stopper. "It's fantastic that we've been able to attract a keeper of such outstanding ability to the club," Hughes said.
"When the opportunity to sign a player of his quality presents itself, you have to act quickly and we've managed to get the deal done. It was always my intention to bring two goalkeepers to the club this summer and now we've got fantastic competition in that department."
"He's an outstanding individual, as well as being an outstanding player. Not only will we benefit from his ability, but we'll also benefit from his experience and winning mentality."
Aston Villa, meanwhile, confirmed the signing of Joe Bennett from Middlesbrough, with the left-back signing a four-year deal after the two clubs agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £2.5 million ($3.9 million). "I am really excited to have joined a massive club in Aston Villa and I'm eager to fight for a starting place and get in the team," the 22-year-old told the club's official website.
"It's up to the manager to pick the team, of course, but it would be great to go back to the north east this weekend and make my debut against Newcastle at St James's Park.
"When I first heard about the move a lot of things ran through my head. There was excitement and nerves and most of all a real buzz about the prospect of coming to Villa and playing in the Premier League.
"Now that it's come around so fast, I'm just raring to go. I've had a look around the stadium and the training ground and the facilities are top-class. You can tell straight away this is a massive club."
Villa manager Paul Lambert added: "Joe's a really good player, young and hungry to succeed and he's exactly the type of player we want here at the football club. There's no doubt in my mind that he will thrive in this environment and he fits in exactly with what we are trying to build here.
"His energy level is really high and he can get up and down the pitch really well, which will be important for the team and important in terms of how we want to play as a team. He's an exciting signing for the club and I'm really pleased we've been able to take him here."
