Alan Pardew has completed the signing of 22-year-old Chelsea striker Carlton Cole (pictured left). The lad has been plying his trade on loan for various Premiership clubs in the last couple of years and has now made a permanent move to the East End for a reported fee of around £2 or £3 million.

Not a bad move - worth the risk IMO. We needed another striker to partner Zamora - Teddy, bless 'im, just won't last the distance next season with all the games we'll be playing. I like the way Pardew has played the forwards in partnerships - Harewood/Ashton and Zamora/Sheringham. Football's all about partnerships and I can see Cole playing very well alongside Zamora. It's a risk, yes - he might not perform, but it's a calculated risk and we could well have another star on our hands. I was impressed by Cole a few years ago when I saw him play - haven't seen him much since though.

Carlton Cole Statistics:
Style: Full Strength Lager
Alcohol: 4.60%
Carbs: 2.7 grams/100mL
Energy: 155 kilojoules(37 calories)/100mL
Standard drinks: 1.4 per 375ml
Available: 375ml bottles
Appearance: Clear and bright, with no bubbles.
Aroma/Bouquet: Nutty, skunky aroma.
Taste: Medium intensity, nutty taste with a funny aftertaste.

* Shaka Hislop is moving to America. The T&T keeper - who we all count as equally English, if not more - is retiring to DC Dallas. I really wish him the best of luck - a fantastic keeper, one of my all time favourites, and a top bloke as well. "This is an exciting new challenge for me," said the big fella. "I went to school in the United States and have a lot of respect for soccer [sic] in the country. I look forward to bringing my experience to a great organisation and help FC Dallas win championships in America." FC Dallas is currently at the top of the MLS Western Division "ladder" (table) midway through their season.

* Wigan have rejected a reported £4 million bid for Pascal Chimbonda. I can't see Pardew paying any more than that, so he's hopefully eyeballing someone else.