Darlington yesterday signed former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace defender Curtis Fleming on a one-year deal.

Darlington manager David Hodgson told the club’s official website: “Curtis has looked a cut above the rest in pre-season and he was one player we could not ignore.

“As a football club we are always looking for opportunities to take the club forward and with his experience, Curtis will help us achieve that.

“He has shown his qualities in pre-season and I’m sure the other lads can learn from him.”

Liverpool have said that Vladimir Smicer will be out for six months after the midfielder underwent a knee operation by Dr Richard Steadman.

A Liverpool spokesman told the club’s official website: “Unfortunately Vladimir will not play again for six months. It is disappointing news for both him and the club. We wish him well as he begins his recovery.”

Manager Rafael Benitez added: “It’s a pity because we had hoped that Vladimir would have only been out for one month but six months is hard. I hope the the player can stay strong and come through and be back with us in six months time.”

St Johnstone have signed Aberdeen’s Paul Sheerin on a free transfer. The midfielder signed two-year deal.

St Johnstone manager John Connolly told the club’s official Website: “I’m delighted. I’ve been trying hard to find a left sided central midfielder and Paul has been in my sights for some time. In addition to his playing position, we have signed a player with a record for goals from the midfield and also someone with experience in the First Division and the SPL. I said earlier that we had a very young squad and the signing of Paul brings in some much-needed experience.”

Sheerin said: “It’s great to have things sorted out before the season starts. I was first approached by the manager 4 or 5 weeks ago and I came down and had a look at the facilities and a talk to John. It’s a Premier League set-up here and the manager has impressed me with this plans. Promotion has to be the aim and although I’ve stepped down a league at the moment I have every intention of moving back to the top league with Saints.”

He added: “It’s been a slightly unsettling summer. I thought I might have been able to start afresh with the new manager but it wasn’t to be. I had talks with Inverness but they became a bit protracted and it didn’t work out. I’m just delighted to be with Saints and can’t wait to get started here.”

Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers has said that he will not leave Highbury on a loan again.

Jeffers said: “I wasn’t interested. I have told the manager Arsene Wenger that I do not want any more loans. I want my future to be sorted out once and for all and not just temporarily.

“There has been no fall-out or anything like that. I want to make that clear. It may be that I will stay at Arsenal. I have two years left on my contract at the club after all.

“But I don’t want the loan thing again. If I move away from Arsenal, then I want it to be a permanent move.”

He added: “I am feeling good, feeling sharp and all I want is the chance to play. That is perhaps why it didn’t work out for me when I went back to Everton.

“The manager just wouldn’t play me and it was all very frustrating. I just want the chance to show what I can do – but not on loan. Not again.”

He concluded: “If I am given the chance to show what I can do, I want to take it.”