Schalke signs Annan; Sunderland gets Muntari

... and Sunderland complete Muntari deal

Ghana international Anthony Annan has quit Norwegian side Rosenborg to join Bundesliga team Schalke 04, it was announced today.

A defensive midfielder, Annan, 24, is reported to have joined Die Konigsblauen for €2m and is a replacement for Croatia's Ivan Rakitic who joined Spanish side Sevilla yesterday.

Annan was part of the Ghana team which reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.

He won the Norwegian league title with IK Start in 2007, before joining Rosenborg.

Sunderland complete Muntari deal

Sunderland have signed Internazionale midfielder Sulley Muntari on loan until the end of the season.

The Ghana international, 26, won the treble under Jose Mourinho last season, picking up Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions' League winners medals. Muntari's CV also includes an FA Cup, a second Serie A championship, a FIFA Club World Cup and a Supercoppa Italia.

He joins international team-mates Asamoah Gyan and John Mensah on Wearside. Signed by Udinese from Liberty Professionals in 2001, Muntari made 125 appearances for the Italian club and played alongside Gyan at the Stadio Friuli. He spent a season with Portsmouth in 2007-08, winning the FA Cup with the Fratton Park club before Inter paid 16m euros to acquire his services in July 2008.

Muntari became a cornerstone of Mourinho's powerhouse Inter side and played a key role as the Nerazzuri swept all before them last season.

He has made 59 appearances for Inter, scoring five goals.

The midfielder will not figure against Chelsea on Tuesday but should be available for next Saturday's trip to Stoke.