US star Perry completes Lightning move

Leeds Lightning have snapped up USA captain Jimmy-Jack Perry for £7million from Baltimore Blues.

The 27-year-old defender, who skippered the Blues to two US Premier League titles, has reportedly signed on a four-year deal with the Lightning and says he has fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing in England.

"This is dream come true for me, playing in the BritLeague," said Perry in his first press conference.

"Meeting the chairman, the manager and all my new team-mates for the first time was a big, big thrill."

As part of the deal, out of favour defender Jamie Hutchinson has been sent on loan to the Blues, who currently lead the US Premier League table.

United announce Tweed capture

London United have signed England defender Steven Tweed from Newcastle Geordies for £21 million.

The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year contract with the CSA Champions League holders.

Phantoms' Howard ready to rock

Leicester Phantoms new striker Shane Howard says he cannot wait to face London Town, as the he and the club make their BritLeague bow on March 5th against the defending champions.

"Making your debut away to the champions is a dream come true," says Howard.

"It's a month and a half away, so still a long time."

Phantoms manager Iain Greenwood-Smith says his players have bonded well in training camp as the Phantoms play their first game ever in a pre-season friendly against CSA England Championship (third-tier of the English CSA football pyramid) side Chiswick.

And Howard, who flourished for Chiswick this season, scoring 18 goals in 2009-10, says the friendly was arranged as part of his transfer.

And he has also dismissed talks that he will fail to adapt to the BritLeague, saying: "I'm ready for the challenge. I'm ready to play with the big boys."

"As expansion team, people expect us to do rather poorly, but come the opener at HMV Park, we hope we can prove them wrong as the season progresses."