Leicester City have taken Tottenham Hotspur winger Mark Yeates on loan for the rest of the season.

Leicester manager Rob Kelly told his club’s official website: “Mark is a talented young player. We’ve had him watched on a number of occasions.

“He can play on either side and gives us something different to what we have already got.

“Mark comes to us with a good pedigree. He did well at Colchester during their promotion season, but he now needs to challenge himself at this level.”

Wigan Athletic have signed striker Julius Aghahowa from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell told his club’s official website: “I’m absolutely delighted. We [were] confident the [work permit] appeal would go in our favour because Julius is a proven quality striker, with a pedigree which is unquestionable. When Henri Camara comes back, and with Caleb Folan also now on board, suddenly I have some real options in the striking department.

“Julius is a player no defender will enjoy playing against, he is tricky, fast, intelligent, has an undoubted eye for goal and is a good team player. Not sure about the celebrations, though.”

Aghahowa added: “I have dreamed of playing in England but until now, the chance hasn’t come. This is the most famous league in the world, and I want to come and show the manager of Wigan and the fans what I can do.”

Reading have broken their transfer record by signing right-back Greg Halford from Colchester United. Their previous record fee paid was £1m for Leroy Lita from Bristol City in 2005.

Reading manager Steve Coppell told his club’s official website: “We’ve tracked him for a while and he’s our type of player. He’s of a certain age, he’s not been there and done it so he’s got to prove himself. He’s got the ability to go and do it.

“He’s flexible, plays a number of positions and is a good fit for us.

“It would be wrong though to limit him by talking about just one position. He’s best known at right back, I’ve seen him wide right but I spoke to Peter Taylor about when he played up front and centre midfield.

“He’s comfortable on the ball, is a good athlete and is a modern player.”

He added: “It’s a massive amount of money for him, but that’s a reflection of the times. I said it to him that he was getting more expensive every day! Every time we phoned it was an extra few bob.”

Rangers have swooped to sign Hibernian midfielder Kevin Thomson on a contract until 2011.

Rangers manager Walter Smith told his club’s official website: “Kevin is a player we’ve been interested in for several weeks and so we’re delighted that a deal has now been done.

“He’s a player we believe has a bright future and it’s terrific that he’s chosen to come to Rangers.

“He brings with him a good grounding from his time at Hibs under first Tony Mowbray and then John Collins.

“Hopefully when he comes to us he will bring that youthful spirit to our team. He brings with him the potential to be an excellent player.

“His best years are certainly still ahead of him at 22. He’s a young Scottish talent but one who already has good experience for his age.

“I think he’s ready to make an impact here at Rangers.”