Newcastle United have swooped to sign SC Freiburg striker Papiss Cissé for an undisclosed fee.

The Senegal international put pen to paper on a contract until the summer of 2017.

The 26-year old told his new club’s official website: “I would like to thank everybody for their welcome, and for inviting me to sign for the Club.

“It is an honour to play for such a big club and I am looking forward to it.

“I want to pay back the confidence the Club have shown in me, and give the supporters something to be proud of.

“I am aware of the huge importance of the number nine shirt, and when I spoke with the manager [Alan Pardew] he made it very clear how important this shirt is.

“I will treat it with the respect and I hope to do my very best in this shirt.”

Pardew added: “Ever since Andy Carroll left [for Liverpool], Papiss was my first choice in the specific role he has at the end of the play.

“He is a finisher with an already-established CV in the Bundesliga, where we have monitored him for the best part of two years.”

Chelsea have completed the signing of Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill. The fee is reported to be initially £7m.

The England international, 26, told his new club’s official website: “Chelsea is a massive club, it is a club that looks to win trophies season in season out and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that. Opportunities like this you can’t turn down.”

In a surprise move, Manchester United have re-signed midfielder Paul Scholes until the summer.

The 37-year-old former England international retired at the end of last season to become a coach at the Old Trafford club.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told his club’s official website: “It’s fantastic that Paul has made this decision. It’s always sad to see great players end their careers, but especially so when they do it early.

“But he has kept himself in great shape and I always felt that he had another season in him. It’s terrific to have him back.”

Scholes added: “I’ve been pretty clear since I stopped playing that I miss it. I’m delighted the manager feels I can still make a contribution to the team and I’m looking forward to playing my part in trying to bring more success to this great club.”

Arsenal have re-signed Thierry Henry from New York Red Bulls on loan for a short-term period.

Henry, now 34, left Arsenal for Barcelona for £16.1m in June 2007. The striker then went on to the MLS with New York Red Bulls three years later.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told his club’s official website: “I am very happy. It was my desire and Thierry’s desire. We will have Thierry for January and in February. Then he will go back to the United States. I am sure during these two months he will be a massive asset to the team in the dressing room and on the pitch. He can be relaxed, not under too much pressure and be a tremendous help to the team.”

Henry added: “It is unreal to be honest. But when it comes to Arsenal my heart will always do the talking. Once I knew the plan behind it I was OK with it. I am not coming here to be a hero or prove anything. I am just coming here to help. People have to understand that. Marouane [Chamakh] and Gervinho are going to the Africa Cup of Nations, so I was asked to fill in the gap. It is a loan deal and I’ll be on the bench most of the time. If I can make the bench that is! The Boss has a team here already who are doing something good. I am just going to be part of the squad.

The Frenchman continued: “I want to send a message to the fans of New York Red Bulls as well. I always said I would not play in Europe again. But it is hard for me when it comes to Arsenal. I am not coming here for the whole season, I will be back and I want to win the MLS Cup with the Red Bulls. I hope it is a win-win situation where I can help Arsenal and come back fit for the MLS season.”