With that signing we bring Sportsday to a close. Thank you for your company and if you fancy some live football then we have text coverage of Barcelona v Elche in the Copa del Rey from 20:45 GMT, so keep your eye out for that.

Sportsday is back, as always, at 08:00 GMT on Friday. Cheerio.

Manchester United sign goalkeeper Victor Valdes on an 18-month contract with an option for a further year.

"It is a real honour to sign for Manchester United," tells manutd.com, external "I would like to thank Louis van Gaal and the club for allowing me to do my rehabilitation and to train with the team at the Aon Training Complex.

"From my short time here I can already see this is a very special club. I worked with Louis van Gaal during my time at FC Barcelona and to have the opportunity to work with him here at Manchester United is a dream come true."

Wayne Rooney and Toni Duggan have been voted by the fans as the England players of the year for 2014.

Rooney, 29, scored eight goals in 13 appearances for England last year and took 27% of the votes, more than second-placed Danny Welbeck and third-placed Raheem Sterling combined. Duggan, 23, scored six goals in 10 games for England.

VfL Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez, a transfer target for several top European clubs - including a number of Premier League sides - has signed a four-year contract extension that will see him stay at the Bundesliga club until 2019.

Racehorse Mad Moose is heading into retirement after the British Horseracing Authority ruled he could not be entered for any more races.

The 11-year-old gelding, a reluctant starter in his recent outings, again refused to race when he returned from a suspension at Cheltenham in November. Mad Moose won seven times during his 42-race career but was initially banned after refusing to compete or being tailed off in four of his previous eight outings.

After the BHA ruling, his Gloucestershire-based trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "He's been retired anyway, so it's fine."

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor says "it's not looking good" for Ched Evans to resume his professional career, adding that there would need to be a big change in the "tide of opinion".

Oldham decided not to sign convicted rapist Evans on Thursday after days of deliberations.

"He's in a very difficult situation," says Taylor. "He's been put through the ringer and the minute you show any sympathy for Ched people will say what about the other parties concerned. Nobody's forgetting them. But as far as he's concerned, he's looking to keep himself fit. This Oldham situation has not made things any better for him so it may well now take some time."

Image source, Wigan

Former Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion defender Liam Ridgewell signs for Wigan Athletic, external from MLS side Portland Timbers on a six-week loan, subject to international clearance.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is the highest-profile name among the players departing the Premier League this month to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations, but who else will be missing? Check out our comprehensive list to find out.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti remains loyal to off-form Gareth Bale despite criticism during the team's poor start to 2015.

Bale has been accused of being too greedy by Spanish media and those accusations returned after defeats to Valencia and Atletico Madrid in the last week.

Image source, Getty Images

"I am happy with the way that Bale is playing and he was not at fault for the defeat," Ancelotti told reporters after Wednesday's Atletico match. "He scored a goal that was ruled offside but apart from that he was always trying and it was a difficult game for all the players."

Mark Cavendish has been forced to admit his dreams of Olympic glory are almost certainly over, writes BBC Sport's Matt Slater.

After two unsuccessful attempts to win a medal at previous Games, the British star had been hoping to qualify for Great Britain's track cycling team at Rio 2016. But he now realises it will be almost impossible to fulfil his obligations to his road team, Etixx - Quick-Step, and ride enough World Cup track events to qualify for Rio.

"It's not 100% I'm not doing the Olympics, but it's difficult," the 29-year-old said. "It probably won't happen, if I'm honest, I've got a road job."

AC Milan will only make a move for Liverpool midfielder Suso once he becomes a free agent this summer, according to club administrator Adriano Galliani.

Reports in Italy claim the 21-year-old, whose current deal with the Reds expires in July, has agreed a four-year contract with Milan and could even join the San Siro club this month.

Image source, Getty Images

Galliani told his club's official website: "His contract runs out and he is keen to join us. It's a viable hypothesis from July 1 when his contract with Liverpool expires."

Suso moved to Anfield from Cadiz in 2010 but has made just 14 Premier League appearances for Liverpool since.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been charged by the Football Association with misconduct in relation to media comments he made following his side's game against Southampton on 28 December last year.

After the match, Mourinho said: "The media, commentators, other managers are all doing it [putting pressure on referees]."

In his news conference later, he added: "There is a campaign against Chelsea. I don't know why there is this campaign and I do not care."

"It is alleged his remarks constitute improper conduct in that they allege and/or imply bias on the part of a referee or referees and/or bring the game into disrepute," read a statement from the FA. "He has until 6pm on 13 January 2015 to respond to the charge."

League Two side Accrington Stanley have signed Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Macey on loan for one month.

The 20-year-old was on the bench for Arsenal's games against West Brom and Southampton in late November and early December, but has yet to make his first-team debut.

Norwich City midfielder Jacob Murphy has joined Scunthorpe United on a 28-day loan.

The 19-year-old recently returned to Carrow Road following a loan spell at Blackpool that was cut short after he posted a photo on social media appearing to mock the club's results.

Image source, Getty Images

Bibhash Dash:, external Bruce Willis plays the current Burnley manager? We could call it "A good day to Dyche hard". *groans internally*.

A late entry for #whoplayswho., external Don't lie Bibhash, you've been thinking about this one all day, haven't you?

BBC Radio Manchester:, external Wigan Athletic have confirmed striker Oriol Riera has joined Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruna on loan until the end of the season.

The statement from Oldham continued: "As a club we condemn all crime including rape and irrespective of any appeal procedure it was always the case that we were prepared to withstand the barrage of abuse that is evident within the country and on social media.

"We deplore and condemn the vile and abusive threats, some including death threats, which have been made to our fans, sponsors and staff whilst this process has been in the public domain.

"Finally, we would like to place on record our gratitude to all who have supported the club during this difficult period, including the club staff, who have retained their focus throughout and in addition to Ched and his team who have acted with professionalism at all times."

Oldham Athletic have released a statement outlining the reasons behind their decision not to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans.

"The whole issue has divided opinion and the club has been put under unbearable pressure as a result," it reads.

"Proceeding could have placed significant financial pressure on the club and continued to be a divisive influence. As a consequence the deal could not go ahead."

Nigel Pearson was the last of nine Premier League managers to face the media today.

Image source, Getty Images

The Leicester boss reveals Esteban Cambiasso will miss Saturday's home game with Aston Villa.

Danny Drinkwater and Andy King should train tomorrow, while Jeffrey Schlupp will miss the Africa Cup of Nations because of a knee injury.

Grant Hall has joined Blackpool on loan, external from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season.

It means the 23-year-old will again link up again with manager Lee Clark, who signed the defender in June when he was in charge at Birmingham.

Hall spent last season on loan at Swindon.