Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop tonight became Portsmouth's second signing of a transfer deadline day which failed to deliver the excitement of previous seasons.

Having already signed spent £4million to sign Chelsea right-back Glen Johnson on a four-year contract earlier in the day, Pompey boss Harry Redknapp signed the Senegal international on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Johnson, who spent last season on loan at Fratton Park, said: "It's a fantastic move for me. It was an easy decision to make. It feels like I've never been away".

Pompey midfielder Gary O'Neil joined Middlesbrough tonight.

One player who had previously departed Fratton Park was Dejan Stefanovic, who joined Fulham for £1million on a two-year deal, subject to a work permit.

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez said: "Dejan is a formidable defender with vast experience at both domestic and international levels.

"He reads the game well, is brave and knows the pace and strength of the Premiership, so I have no doubt that he will prove to be an asset for us over the coming months".

Boro boss Gareth Southgate was at least able to complete the signing of Mohamed Shawky from Egyptian side Al-Ahly for £650,000 on a three-year deal, while releasing the experienced Jason Euell to make a free transfer to Saints.

Elsewhere, the busiest managers could be found in the midlands with Aston Villa, Birmingham and Derby all making moves with the midnight deadline fast approaching.

Martin O'Neill's pursuit of defender Curtis Davies finally came to a successful conclusion in what could be a potential club-record deal. The West Brom centre-half secured a season-long loan at Villa with a view to a permanent switch which would be worth an initial £8.5million, possibly rising to £10million with add-ons.

"The manager's record speaks for itself. During his career he has turned people like Emile Heskey, Robbie Savage and Muzzy Izzet into great players and hopefully he can turn me into a gem as well," Davies said.

O'Neill, who also signed Zat Knight this week, then made Togo midfielder Moustapha Salifou his third buy during the last 48 hours, signing him from Swiss club FC Wil on a one-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Scotland striker Kenny Miller swapped Celtic Park for Pride Park after joining Derby for an undisclosed fee.

Miller, 27, has signed a three-year contract with the Rams just a year after joining the Hoops on a free transfer from Wolves.

Derby boss Billy Davies, who had been chasing Kenwyne Jones until the Saints striker joined Sunderland for £6m, said: "He is a proven goalscorer both at club and international level and gives us a different option up front".

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce secured the services of free agent Mohammed Kallon as well as midfielder Wilson Palacios on loan from Honduran club Olimpia until the end of December.

Blues looked set to make another midfielder, Borja Oubina, their third capture of the day after Celta Vigo announced the player was leaving on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

Blues boss Steve Bruce said: "We are in talks with the player and we are going to try to sign him tonight".

Manchester City striker Bernardo Corradi joined Parma on loan until the end of the season after failing to feature in any Sven-Goran Eriksson's squads so far this season.

Wigan boss Chris Hutchings made his ninth signing of the summer by bringing striker Marcus Bent in on loan from Charlton.

Bent's arrival has allowed Wigan to sell Caleb Folan to Hull for a Tigers club record of £1million, with the 23-year-old signing a three-year contract.

Liverpool have added 19-year-old Lyon midfielder Damien Plessi to their reserve team squad, while Blackburn have allowed striker Paul Gallagher to go to Coca-Cola Championship side Preston on loan until January.

Paul Huntington swapped Newcastle for Leeds for an undisclosed fee while Swansea captured Middlesbrough goalkeeper David Knight on a free transfer.

In the Championship, Charlton have signed centre-half Sam Sodje on a season-long loan from Reading, with Sheffield United striker Christian Nade joining Hearts for an undisclosed fee.

In Scotland, Rangers have signed 30-year-old Charlton midfielder Amdy Faye on a season-long loan.

Managerless Leicester have ended a turbulent week by making Portuguese winger Marco Ferreira their 15th summer signing.

The pacy 29-year-old - who has four caps for his country - has joined the Foxes on loan from Benfica until the end of the year.

Chairman Milan Mandaric said: "We have been searching long and hard for a wide player and we hope that Marco will bring the dimension that we have been missing".

Leicester parted company with manager Martin Allen on Wednesday.