Archive for July, 2009

Obafemi Martins switches to Wolfsburg

German champions VfL Wolfsburg have announced the arrival of Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins from Newcastle United.

“This is exactly the type of player that we had been looking for, in addition to Grafite and Edin Dzeko,” said Wolfsburg manager Armin Veh.…

Kenny Cooper joins 1860 Munich

Major League Soccer side FC Dallas have announced the departure of CONCACAF Gold Cup star Kenny Cooper to German club 1860 Munich.

The 24-year-old scored crucial goals for the United States national team at this month’s Gold Cup, with the interest…

Champions Standard de Liege held by newcomers

Belgian champions Standard de Liege could have wished for a better season opening, being held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Sint-Truiden.

Cephas Chimedza had the honor of scoring the very first goal of the season in the 24th minute,…

Al-Hilal beat Zesco in CAF Champions League

Sudanese club Al-Hilal Omdurman moved into first place of their CAF Champions League group thanks to a 1-0 win over Zesco United of Zambia.

Al-Hilal had drawn their opening game 0-0 with local rivals Al-Merreikh, but one goal at Khartoum Stadium…

Ten-man Villa reach Peace Cup final

English Premier League side Aston Villa reached the final of the Peace Cup on Friday with a 2-1 victory over Portuguese club Porto despite finishing with 10 men.

In Sunday’s final, Martin O’Neill’s English outfit will meet either Spanish giants Real…

Nilmar feted at Villareal

Spanish Primera Liga side Villareal on Friday presented their new Brazilian player Nilmar da Silva, the most expensive signing in their history.

The club signed Nilmar last week to a five-year contract from Brazilian club Internacional de Purto Alegre for a…

´Devastated´ Gazza praises ´second dad´ Robson

Former England star Paul Gascoigne said Friday he was devastated by the death of Sir Bobby Robson, who he described as being “like a second dad”.

Gascoigne played under Robson when England reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in…

Former England football manager Bobby Robson dies

Former England and Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson died on Friday at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer.

Robson, who had been fighting cancer for a number of years, led England to the World Cup semi-finals in…

Zenit sign midfielder Rosina

Russia’s 2007 champions Zenit St Petersburg have signed midfielder Alessandro Rosina from Italian side Torino, on a four-year deal, the club reported Friday.

No financial details of the deal for 25-year-old Rosina were disclosed.

Zenit’s Dutch manager Dick Advocaat, who has announced…

Former West Ham owner Gudmundsson declared bankrupt

Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the former owner and chairman of English Premier League side West Ham United, has been declared bankrupt, an Icelandic court ruled on Friday.

Judges in Reykjavik agreed with Gudmundsson’s argument that he had no reasonable expectation of any future…

Former England boss Robson dies

Former England and Newcastle manager Bobby Robson died on Friday at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer.

Robson, whose first brush with the disease that would ultimately claim him was in 1992, led England to the World…

Nigeria strike Kanu close to Portsmouth deal

Nwankwo Kanu is close to agreeing a new one-year contract with Premier League club Portsmouth, according to the Nigeria striker’s agent.

Kanu’s present deal ran out at the end of last season but the former Arsenal star and his agent Samuel…

Mutu to pay Chelsea £14.5m in damages

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected an appeal made by Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu against an order to pay Chelsea £14.5m in damages. The Blues sacked the Romania international in 2005 after he tested positive for cocaine. “The…

Panucci: “I just want to focus on Parma”

Speaking at his official unveiling, the 36-year-old defender Christian Panucci said he was ready for a new challenge after eight years in Rome. “My relationship with Roma is over. I have no regrets. I gave everything there and now I…

Diego will not play against Real Madrid

Juventus new signing Diego will miss tonight’s Peace Cup semi-final against Real Madrid with a muscular problem, according to the club’s website. The 24-year-old Brazil international only made his debut on Tuesday, scoring a goal in a 3-0 victory over…

Eto’o: “I intend to earn our fans’ respect day by day”

“I’m Samuel Eto’o and I am like no one else: what I’ve achieved so far says it all. Ibrahimovic is a star, I wish him all the best in a team that I will always love. He may have kissed…

31/07/09: Transfer Rumors

‘Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks set to step up his interest in Bordeaux’s £12m-rated Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh.’ – L’Equipe

‘Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is holding out for £30m following Xabi Alonso’s transfer request, with Real Madrid having already offered £24m.’…

Ronaldo sale forces Fergie to change tactics

Alex Ferguson admits Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid has forced him to change the way Manchester United will play this season.

Ferguson often set up his team with three central midfielders last season to allow Ronaldo a free role.

That allowed…

Legendary England football boss Robson dies

Former England and Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson died on Friday at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer.

Robson, whose first brush with the disease that would ultimately claim him was in 1992, led England to the…

Leonardo repeats reinforcements demand

AC Milan lost their fifth pre-season match in a row and new coach Leonardo has reiterated his call for new signings at the seven-time European champions.

Milan lost on penalties to Boca Juniors following a 1-1 draw in the Audi Cup…

Parma announce signing of veteran Panucci

Parma have signed former Italy international defender Christian Panucci from Serie A rivals AS Roma, the club announced on their website on Friday.

The 36-year-old Panucci formerly played for AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea among other clubs.

However, he…

Bent´s Twitter blast reveals Spurs rift

England striker Darren Bent found himself in hot water after apparently using internet networking site Twitter to blast Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy for failing to rubber-stamp his proposed move to Sunderland.

Bent, 25, went online to hit out at Levy as…

Finnan seals Portsmouth switch

Portsmouth signed Steve Finnan on a free transfer on Friday after the former Liverpool defender terminated his contract with Espanyol.

Republic of Ireland right-back Finnan struggled to settle in Spain and has been keen to return to the Premier League for…

FFA crack down on A-League ´divers´

Footballers in Australia found guilty of diving face a two-match ban under new disciplinary measures announced by Football Federation Australia on Friday.

The FFA said simulation was unacceptable and it would act to stamp out the practice, used to win penalties…

Elano leaving the Premier League is a shame

One of the biggest disappointments for me over recent years in the English Premier League is that we never got to see enough of the Brazilian midfielder Elano.

Yesterday Galatasaray completed the signing of Elano from Manchester City to bring an…

Former England football boss Robson dies

Former England and Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson died on Friday at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer.

Robson, who had been fighting cancer for a number of years, led England to the World Cup semi-finals in…

Valencia will not sell Silva

Valencia president Manuel Llorente insists the club will not sell David Silva this summer.

The Spain international has been linked with a summer move to the Premier League.

Liverpool and Manchester United are reported to be among the clubs interested in the…

Mido returns to Egypt

Middlesbrough forward Mido has joined Egyptian giants Zamalek on a season-long loan deal.

The 26-year-old could make the move permanent at the end of his loan period.

Boro will get an initial £4million and could pocket a further £1million if the move…

Finnan joins Portsmouth

Portsmouth have completed the signing of the Republic of Ireland international Steve Finnan.

The former Fulham and Liverpool star has signed a one-year deal with the Premier League side.

Finnan failed to settle at Espanyol last season and his contract with the…

Injury scare has Beckham in doubt

England star midfielder David Beckham missed practice for therapy on a back injury, raising doubts the Los Angeles Galaxy star will be able to play against FC Barcelona here on Saturday.

Beckham sustained the injury three days ago but downplayed the…