Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Michael Carrick has left White Hart Lane to join Manchester United in an £18.6m deal.

Spurs manager Martin Jol told his club’s official website: “Michael played nearly all the games for us after coming on in the second half against Charlton the season before last and never looked back. He always gave his best and was a wonderful servant. I’m sure he will do well at Manchester United because he is very talented and we will miss having him around the Lodge.”

On leaving the North London club, Carrick said: “Martin [Jol] is a great manager and has done an enormous amount for my career. Without any doubt he has helped develop me into a better player. He gave me a chance when I needed it, stood by me and I will always thank him for that.

“I’d like to thank the fans as they’ve been fantastic to me as well. This is a football decision, a decision not driven by money. It’s an offer that has come at the right time for me both professionally and personally and I felt I couldn’t turn it down.

“I’ve had a great time at Spurs and the Club has been brilliant for me. There is an excellent squad full of top players and a number of younger lads coming through the ranks as well. I can only see successful times for the Club in the future.”

Southampton manager George Burley has raided former club Hearts to sign midfielder Rudi Skacel for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old Czech put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

Burley told his club’s official website: “Rudi did fantastically well when I was at Hearts. I think he equalled the Scottish record by scoring in his first eight games.

“He is a strong midfield player who is very good at set-plays and always likely to score goals.

“One thing which has been lacking for us is midfielders who can score goals and Rudi comes into that category.

“Of course I know the boy well and he will be a fantastic asset for this club and I am very pleased he has agreed to come and join us.”

He added: “Sometimes in football these things can take a long time but I am sure he will be worth the wait.

“He has all the criteria we are looking for which is someone to provide a goal threat from midfield.

“To get promotion you need players who can score all over the pitch and I am confident he can get in double figures from midfield.

“There are not many midfield players who can achieve that and not many naturally left-footed players who can score goals. I can’t think of many.

“We waited a long time for him because he has got all that and because I know him well.

“He is a big character who will be a crowd favourite. He is very infectious and enthusiastic and I am sure he will be a big hit with the fans of Southampton.

“This is another piece in the jigsaw. There are still some pieces to get but we are getting closer and closer to a squad capable of finishing in the top six.”

Crystal Palace have swooped to sign West Ham United defender/midfielder Carl Fletcher for a £400k fee.

Fletcher told his new club’s official website: “As with any player, you want to play in the highest division you can, and I’ve come here not to play in the Championship, but to play in the Premiership.

“It’s going to be a tough season, the Championship is one of the hardest leagues to get out of but with the top quality squad and the management team we have here, I think anything is possible really.”

He added: “I don’t take anything for granted. I’m not just going to come in here and walk straight into the team, I know I’ve got to work hard each and every day in training to try and earn my place. So I’m going to come here, work hard and try my best.

“I’m really looking forward to the start of the season. There is only so many times you can run around a pitch.

“It’s nice to actually get started, get some rewards, good performances and get points on the board. It will be a great challenge for us this season and it’s something to look forward to.”

Portsmouth forward Lomana LuaLua has put pen to paper on a new contract at Fratton Park until 2009.

LuaLua told his club’s official website: “There has been a lot of speculation about my future but I’ve always wanted to remain with Pompey. Portsmouth is a unique up and coming club with very passionate fans and I feel very much at home here, so I’m naturally delighted to have secured my future at Fratton Park.

“I’m grateful to the club’s board and management for their support and for showing their faith in me. I will not let them down. Pompey is the most exciting rising force in the Premiership and I’m definitely looking forward to being an active part of our success.

“I’m also really appreciative of the supporters here and of course [manager] Harry [Redknapp], who is a massive inspiration for me.”