The Republic of Ireland defender Gary Breen has signed for West Ham United in order to work with his old friend Glenn Roeder.

Breen, who was on a free transfer after leaving Coventry City at the end of last season, is thought to have agreed a one-year deal with an option for an extension.

Breen made more than 50 appearances for Gillingham when Roeder was manager there 10 years ago and the two have remained friends.

"The main factor was certainly Glenn Roeder," said Breen. "I know Glenn is a good coach, and a couple of the lads here speak highly of him.

"It is a decision I have thought long and hard about. I had a month or so to reflect on all the different offers after the World Cup.

"I feel I have made the right decision and I have worked with Glenn, who played in my position, before - so I hope to learn even more now I have signed for West Ham."

The 28-year-old player added: "Fingers crossed, I can learn more from Glenn and in the next four or five years I will be coming into my best form. I expect to play the best football of my career and feel that I am coming into my prime now."

Meanwhile, Breen's Ireland team-mate Clinton Morrison will join Birmingham City today for £4.5 million after the striker passed a medical at St Andrews.

The deal was delayed until the Birmingham forward Andrew Johnson agreed terms to move to Crystal Palace in part-exchange.

Morrison, who played under manager Steve Bruce at Palace last season, follows another Ireland colleague, Kenny Cunningham, who joined Birmingham a fortnight ago.

Leeds have begun the task of putting the money from Rio Ferdinand's British-record £30 million transfer to Manchester United to good use by preparing an £8 million bid for Feyenoord's talented Australian international Brett Emerton. Although Leeds are under pressure to use most of the Ferdinand money to ease their debts, they have released funds for Terry Venables to recruit players, starting with the 23-year-old Emerton. If their offer is successful they are likely to withdraw their interest in Tottenham's Darren Anderton, another right-sided midfielder but one of advancing years and a history of injuries.

Feyenoord have indicated they want to keep Emerton and they are in their most financially secure position for many years. Emerton is rated as one of the most exciting players in the Dutch league and if Leeds are to take him to Elland Road they may have to increase their offer to nearer £10 million, a figure which the chairman Peter Ridsdale would be reluctant to sanction.

Venables is also keen to sign Liverpool's Nick Barmby who is available for about £4 million.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier refused to rule out more major buying before the season starts. And in what seems to be a direct response to Blackburn's £20 million price tag on Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff - Anfield's latest target - Houllier said: "We are interested in new signings but only if the price is right. If players of quality become available then yes, we are still in the market. But if the price is not right then I am quite happy with what I already have at the club."

Liverpool have made two approaches for Duff, but been denied by Blackburn's valuation of the player.

Middlesbrough are taking their summer spending past £20 million after agreeing a fee of about £5 million for Aston Villa's midfielder George Boateng.

Coventry City have accepted a revised Celtic offer of about £2 million for their goalkeeper Marcus Hedman. He is is expected to have a medical today. Celtic's manager Martin O'Neill is also close to completing the signing of Hibernian's defender Ulrik Laursen for a similar fee.

Guradian Service