European soccer's winter transfer window appeared to close Monday, with none of the big-money moves that have dominated recent seasons.
The Premier League's usually high-spending clubs mostly were involved with loan transfers as the window closed in England. Fulham one of the most active, acquiring AS Roma forward Stefano Okaka and Aston Villa defender Nicky Shorey until the end of the season.
The west London club, controlled by Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, also signed teenage midfielder Christopher Buchtmann from Liverpool and let Senegal forward Diomansy Kamara leave on loan for Scottish's Glasgow Celtic.
Celtic took Bayern Munich defender Edson Braafheid for the rest of the season and also sealed a deal to take Ireland captain Robbie Keane from Tottenham on loan until the end of the season.
Keane rejoined Spurs from Liverpool a year ago but failed to recapture the form that previously made him a fan favorite. He has nine goals in 25 appearances this season.
Auditing firm KPMG said the drop in the Premier League's January transfer expenditure from 190.5 million pounds ($303.9 million) in the 2008-09 season to about 41.5 million pounds ($66.2 million) showed the financial problems facing the clubs.
``Whilst the UK has just recently exited recession, it appears that football may just be entering it,'' said Geoff Mesher, head of KPMG's forensic sports industry team. ``Financial uncertainty still exists for a number of English football clubs and many football club chairmen will look at the current plight of Portsmouth.''
The highest-profile permanent transfer in England - and arguably Europe - was South African forward Benni McCarthy's switch from Blackburn to West Ham.
``Although I could have gone to other clubs, this was the only one I wanted,'' McCarthy said. ``They wanted me before. It didn't happen but now the opportunity arises again and this time I am going to prove myself.''
Mido's agent said the Egyptian forward joined McCarthy in east London on loan until the end of the season.
Manchester City spent a little its huge wealth buying winger Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough on a 4 1/2-year contract. Johnson will wear the No. 11 shirt vacated by Robinho when the Brazil forward went on loan to Brazil's Santos last week.
Wigan signed Victor Moses from Crystal Palace on a 3 1/2-year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee after the England under-19 forward scored six goals in his last nine matches in the second-tier League Championship.
Elsewhere, Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone joined struggling German club Hannover on loan from Sevilla, Turkish side Ankaragucu signed Cameroon midfielder Geremi from Newcastle, and Greek club Larissa took Gabon forward Daniel Cousin on loan from Hull. Inter Milan appeared set to loan Brazilian midfielder Amantino Mancini to rival AC Milan, with the option of a permanent move at the end of the season.
