EPL - Chelsea make £50 million bid for Torres

Chelsea are waiting to hear back from Liverpool having lodged a £50 million bid for Fernando Torres.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light to what would be the biggest domestic transfer in Premier League history, but will have to out bid Manchester City.

Liverpool, who are still to appoint a new manager after parting company with Rafael Benitez last month, have not formally acknowledged Chelsea's approach.

The blues are also in the hunt to sign Yossi Benayoun from the Anfield club.

Serie A - Maicon expects to complete Madrid move

Maicon expects to complete a move from Inter Milan to Real Madrid in the near future, according to his agent.

Jose Mourinho has already identified Maicon as one of the players he would like to bring with him to the Bernabeau and the Brazil defender's agent, Antonio Caliendo, has now confirmed the clubs are in talks.

EPL - Tosic joins CSKA Moscow

Manchester United flop Zoran Tosic has left the club for CSKA Moscow.

Tosic is currently with Serbia at the World Cup but failed to play any part in their opening game defeat to Ghana in South Africa.

The 23-year-old managed just 17 minutes of Premier League football for United in the 2008/09 season and he hardly featured at all in manager Sir Alex Ferguson's plans last season, despite regularly playing for his country.

The winger spent the latter half of the season on loan with FC Cologne, helping the club preserve their Bundesliga status by scoring five goals. He has signed a five-year deal with CSKA.

Serie A - Palermo sign Maccarone

Palermo have signed well-travelled forward Massimo Maccarone from Siena for an undisclosed fee.

Maccarone, 30, has signed a three-year deal with the option of a fourth as he joins the tenth club of his career.

The twice-capped Italy striker failed to build on the potential he showed as a youngster at AC Milan and Empoli, and struggled during a spell in England with Middlesbrough, but restored his reputation during three years at Siena as he scored 44 goals in 95 appearances.

However, his goals were not enough to save Siena from the drop at the end of last season, allowing Palermo to swoop in as they reinforce for their UEFA Europa League campaign next season.

WC2010 - Iniesta has minor muscle injury

Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has a "minor muscle injury", the national team doctor has revealed.

Iniesta was the star performer as Spain defeated Poland 6-0 in Murcia on Tuesday, with the Barcelona midfielder setting up two goals in the opening 15 minutes.

Iniesta was forced off after 39 minutes after feeling discomfort in his thigh and having missed much of last season with a thigh injury coach Vicente del Bosque was unwilling to take any risks.

However, Dr Oscar Celada revealed that Iniesta does have a slight injury, and that the midfielder wopuld undergo furthe tests on Wednesday.

Iniesta was one of three Spain players who ended the season injured, making his Barca comeback right at the end of the team's successful league campaign.

He looked to be suffering no ill effects from his thigh problem in Spain's friendlies against Saudi Arabia and South Korea, but Del Bosque and his staff are likely to tread very carefull with one of their most influential players.

The other two recovering players, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres, both featured as substitutes on Tuesday and scored against Poland. For Torres, it was the first appearance since a knee operation in April and the player was happy to return.

With Torres and Fabregas both looking good, Spain will also now hope Iniesta is fit in time for their Group H opener against Switzerland on June 16.

WC2010 - Frei limps out of training

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is anxiously awaiting news from his medical staff on the condition of Alexander Frei after the captain limped out of the team's final training session in Zurich on Thursday.

Frei remained on the ground after a tackle from Steve von Bergen and, after receiving treatment from the team doctor and physio, he was helped away from the field and may not be able to board the flight which takes Switzerland to South Africa tonight.

Should the 30-year-old striker be ruled out of the World Cup, it would be yet another severe blow both for the player and the national team.

Frei tore knee ligaments during the first half of Switzerland's first game of Euro 2008 against the Czech Republic and had to leave the field in tears and follow the rest of the competition from the sidelines.

He is Switzerland's all-time top goalscorer with 40 goals and has just returned to his best form with 15 goals for Swiss champions FC Basle in 19 games last season.

WC2010 - All Whites handed Brown boost

Tim Brown's World Cup dream remains alive after he was given the go-ahead to join his New Zealand team-mates in South Africa having made good progress in his recovery from a fractured shoulder.

Brown suffered the injury during New Zealand's friendly against Australia and underwent surgery to insert three screws into his damaged right shoulder two weeks ago.

The recovery time was expected to be six weeks but such has been Brown's determination to get fit for football's showpiece event that his rehabilitation is three weeks ahead of schedule and he is set to depart New Zealand on Thursday.

Wellington's Cole Peverley has been training with the squad in Europe and South Africa since being called up on standby for Brown and he will remain with the team as injury cover.

Coach Ricki Herbert, who vowed to give his workhorse midfielder as much time as possible to prove his fitness, said the squad were delighted to be able to welcome back such an integral player.

Primera - Xavi signs new Barca deal

Xavi Hernandez looks set to retire at Barcelona after agreeing an extension to his current contract which could keep him at the club until 2016.

Xavi, 30, is currently preparing for the World Cup with Spain, but is back in Barcelona on Wednesday to sign the agreement with Barca president Joan Laporta.

Barca revealed that the new deal would allow Xavi to retire at FC Barcelona, provided he remains an important player to the team.

In order to trigger the new clause, Xavi must play at least 50% of Barca's matches in the last two seasons of his remaining deal, while his release clause of €80million euros will remain the same.

By the end of the extra two years, Xavi, who joined Barca at the age of 11, will be 36 and will have spent his whole career at the Catalan club.

Serie A - Roma confirm signing of Brazilian star

Adriano has undergone a medical at Roma and is set to be unveiled as the Giallorossi's latest signing on Wednesday.

The club have called a press conference for 1700 local time. No details of the signing have yet been announced by the club.

The 28-year-old Adriano is a free agent after the expiry of his deal with Flamengo.

He has previous Serie A experience, with his career peaking while he was at Inter Milan, before he suffered from personal problems and returned to his homeland.

EPL - Blues confirm triple departure

Chelsea have confirmed midfield duo Joe Cole and Michael Ballack, plus defender Juliano Belletti will all leave the club this summer.

The trio's contracts are up at the end of this month and the future of Cole in particular has been the subject of increasing speculation.

The 28-year-old, who is part of England's World Cup squad in South Africa, has already been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Ballack leaves Chelsea after four years with the club unwilling to offer the German the two-year contract he was seeking.

The 33-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge following the end of his contract at Bayern Munich with a reputation as one of Europe's best players and on the back of a brilliant World Cup.

But he has largely failed to live up to that billing, with injuries keeping him out of the team for lengthy spells.

Belletti, 33, was also signed by Mourinho in August 2007 and leaves after completing his three-year contract.

EPL - Grant gets work permit

West Ham have confirmed that Avram Grant has had his work permit application approved to allow him to become the club's manager.

The Israeli agreed a four-year contract last week to succeed Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park and was awaiting only approval from the Home Office. That has now been secured and he can begin his new role on an official basis.

Grant had already made former Aston Villa and Stuttgart midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger his first signing last Saturday.

EPL - Senderos signs for Fulham

Fulham have announced the signing of Swiss defender Philippe Senderos on a three-year deal from Arsenal.

Senderos, 25, was one of Arsenal's longest serving players having joined the club from Servette in June 2003 but was unable to secure a regular first-team place in recent seasons.

He spent the 2008-09 campaign on loan at AC Milan and also made three appearances during a five-month stay at Everton last season as he failed to make an impression under David Moyes.

Senderos famously started the 2005 FA Cup final ahead of Sol Campbell as Arsenal defeated Manchester United on penalties but having been unable to deliver on that early promise at Emirates Stadium, he is now looking forward to a fresh start at Craven Cottage.

EPL - Everton sign Portuguese youngster

Everton have signed striker Joao Silva from Desportivo Aves on a three-year deal.

Silva, 20, made his breakthrough last season and has already represented Portugal at Under-20 level.

The youngster was the second top scorer in the Portuguese second tier last season with 14 goals in 32 appearances.

WC2010 - Nani ruled out of World Cup

Portugal have confirmed winger Nani is out of the World Cup after he suffered a collarbone injury.

Nani suffered the problem in training before flying out to South Africa but the problem was not thought to be serious.

However, further tests have revealed the injury is more serious than previously feared and the Manchester United man will now be replaced by Benfica midfielder Ruben Amorim in the squad.

EPL - City release trio

Manchester City have released Martin Petrov, Benjani Mwaruwari and Sylvinho after their contracts expired.

Petrov, 31, moved to Eastlands from Atletico Madrid in 2007, but frequent injuries have restricted his opportunities and he spoke out against former manager Mark Hughes last season.

Benjani, also 31, was another Sven-Goran Eriksson signing and joined the club after a successful spell with Portsmouth, but he had found first-team opportunities limited and went out on loan to Sunderland in February.

Former Arsenal and Barcelona defender Sylvinho, 35, joined the club on a one-year deal last summer but made only nine starts as he struggled to keep pace with the Premier League.

WC2010 - Bendtner and Kjaer fitness battle

Denmark coach Morten Olsen is weighing up whether to risk Nicklas Bendtner and Simon Kjaer in their opening World Cup match against Holland on June 14.

Highly-rated defender Kjaer suffered a knee injury in a friendly against Senegal on May 27 while Arsenal striker Bendtner has been dogged by a thigh problem.

Denmark have other injury worries to contend with as goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is still recovering from the dislocated elbow he sustained playing for Stoke in April.

Captain Jon Dahl Tomasson's bid to end his 13-match scoreless run is not being helped by a groin problem.

WC2010 - Double injury boost for Honduras

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda received some rare good news on Sunday with encouraging fitness reports on injured players Wilson Palacios and David Suazo.

Honduras, winless in their last five games heading into a World Cup Group H campaign against Spain, Chile and Switzerland, saw Tottenham midfielder Palacios leave Saturday's 3-0 warm-up defeat to Romania on a stretcher with a shin injury.

Palacios was taken to an Austrian hospital for tests on the injury to his shin, while Suazo had left the field with a problem with his right leg.

Team athletic trainer Carlos Velasco said the outlook for both players was good, although Palacios' problem would take longer to heal.

Honduras open their campaign against Chile in Nelspruit on June 16.

WC2010 - Australia allowed to replace keeper

FIFA has granted Australia permission to replace goalkeeper Brad Jones in their World Cup squad after he was granted leave due to a family illlness.

Jones has returned to Perth in Australia to be with his family after his young son was reportedly diagnosed with leukemia. Australia applied to FIFA for the right to replace Jones, should he not return to South Africa in time for the tournament, based on the 'special circumstances' surrounding his absence.

FIFA has agreed to the request, allowing Eugene Galekovic, who was already in South Africa training with Australia as an extra squad member, to replace Jones as Pim Verbeek's third choice goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Adam Federici if the Middlesbrough player remains at home. Understandably, it is not yet uncertain whether Jones will return to South Africa.

Primera - Higuain signs new Madrid deal

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain has signed a new contract with Real Madrid until 2016.

Higuain had been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer but he verbally agreed a new deal last week. He was Madrid's top scorer last season with 27 goals, second only to Lionel Messi in the Liga scoring charts.

Higuain joined Madrid in December 2006 from River Plate.

Serie A - Huntelaar won't contemplate Spurs switch

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has firmly ruled out a departure from AC Milan this summer and says he is determined to perform to his peak next season.

Huntelaar - who is currently preparing for the World Cup finals with Netherlands - is consistently linked with a move away from Milan and Tottenham are the latest club reported to be interested in the striker.

But after scoring seven goals in 25 appearances in Serie A last season, Huntelaar does not feel he has displayed his best form for the Rossoneri and is keen to do so before contemplating any other options.

Huntelaar scored freely for both Heerenveen and Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie but following a move to Real Madrid in January 2009 has failed to rediscover that prolific touch.

WC2010 - Ivory Coast hopeful over Drogba

Didier Drogba has had successful surgery on his broken arm and Ivory Coast are confident he will be able to play some part in the World Cup finals.

Drogba, captain of the Elephants, could still miss the tournament but the country's medical team are refusing to give up on their talisman.

The striker suffered the injury against Japan in Switzerland on Friday and was immediately flown to Berne for specialist attention.

The Ivory Coast federation (FIF) have announced that Saturday's operation was "a success" but have not yet confirmed how long the forward is likely to be sidelined for.

Ivory Coast face Portugal, Brazil and North Korea in Group G.

EPL - Boateng seals Man City move

Jerome Boateng has completed a reported £11 million move to Manchester City from Hamburg.

City had been tracking Boateng for months, finally sealing a deal which will see the defender officially sign for the Eastlands club on July 1.

Boateng, who is in Germany's squad for the World Cup finals, has penned a contract to run until the end of the 2014-15 season.

Boateng, the brother of Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince, began his career with Hertha Berlin before moving to Hamburg in 2007. He has five full Germany caps.

EPL - Hammers sign Hitzlsperger

New West Ham manager Avram Grant has made former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger his first signing at Upton Park, with the Germany international joining on a free transfer from Lazio.

The midfielder joined Lazio from Stuttgart on a short term contract in January, but struggled to break into the Bianconeri's first-team - his failure to make an impression eventually costing him a place in Germany's World Cup squad.

Hitzlsperger is no stranger to the Premier League having played for five years at Villa Park, and will now try his hand for another claret and blue team in the top flight after signing a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year with the Hammers.

WC2010 - Ferdinand ruled out of World Cup

England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in training on Friday morning. His absence has been confirmed by the Football Association and Michael Dawson will now fly out to replace him.

England had been relieved to see Gareth Barry return to training at their Rustenburg camp and the midfielder could be in contention to feature in the country's opening game against USA on June 12, but preparations took a worrying turn when Ferdinand suffered the problem towards the end of the session in a challenge with Emile Heskey.

The Manchester United defender was taken to hospital to assess the problem and left on crutches. It was confirmed that Ferdinand has suffered ligament damage, ruling him out for between four and six weeks.

Ferdinand suffered extensively from injuries at Old Trafford last season and was able to start only 12 Premier League games as various fitness problems took their toll.

However, Barry's return is a grain of positive news for England as the midfielder had been a doubt to make the squad due to an ankle injury sustained in a Premier League game against Tottenham on May 5.

WC2010 - Evra to take French armband

Defender Patrice Evra will captain France at the World Cup as Thierry Henry has accepted his place on the bench for the duration of the tournament.

Evra wore the France armband for the first time against Costa Rica in the 2-1 friendly win, while Henry has found himself on the sidelines in recent matches, despite leading his side through qualifying - including the controversial play-off win over Republic of Ireland.

Nicolas Anelka has been preferred in Henry's position, and the Barcelona striker accepted coach Raymond Domenech's decision to keep him out of the side earlier in the week.

EPL - Essien signs new contract

Chelsea have confirmed that midfielder Michael Essien has signed a two-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge.

Essien, who has not represented Chelsea since December due to injury, is now tied to the club until 2015 after committing his future to Carlo Ancelotti's Double winners.

A knee problem prevented Essien from featuring for the club in the second half of the season and ruled him out of Ghana's World Cup campaign, but the 27-year-old has at least been heartened by news of the new deal.

Essien joined Chelsea from Lyon in the summer of 2005 and while he has suffered extensively from injuries in recent seasons, he remains one of the Premier League's leading midfielders.

Serie A - D'Agostino joins Fiorentina

Udinese have confirmed they have sold midfielder Gaetano D'Agostino to Serie A rivals Fiorentina.

D'Agostino has been a regular for Udinese since moving from Messina in 2006.

The former Roma midfielder enjoyed his best season in 2008-09, with 11 goals in 36 appearances, and was heavily pursued by Juventus and Real Madrid before both were reportedly put off by the hefty transfer fee.

It has not been disclosed how much Fiorentina have shelled out for the Italy international, who turned 27 today, but it is thought to be in the region of €9 million.

D'Agostino made his Italy debut last summer and has five caps for his country but failed to make the World Cup squad.

Serie A - Cassetti agrees new deal

Roma defender Marco Cassetti has agreed a one-year contract extension with the Serie A club

Cassetti, a 33-year-old full-back, made 34 appearances in all competitions last season as Claudio Ranieri's side finished as runners-up to Inter Milan in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

Serie A - Mihajlovic confirmed as Fiorentina's new coach

Fiorentina have confirmed the appointment of Sinisa Mihajlovic as the new head coach of the Serie A side.

Fiorentina have released Cesare Prandelli to allow him to replace Marcello Lippi as Italy coach following the World Cup finals and have moved quickly to find a replacement.

Mihajlovic - who represented Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter Milan during his playing career - resigned as Catania coach after helping the club to avoid relegation.

WC2010 - James given England No.1 shirt

England coach Fabio Capello has yet to show his hand over who will be his first choice goalkeeper at the World Cup, but has given an indication it could be David James by giving him the No.1 jersey.

James appears to be in pole position to start England's first group game against the United States on June 12, as rivals Robert Green (12) and Joe Hart (23) have missed out on the coveted shirt number.

Peter Crouch who was handed the No.9 short, looks likely to play alongside Wayne Rooney (10) for the duration of the tournament. Spurs winger Aaron Lennon will wear No.7 with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard keeping their respective No.4 and No.8 jerseys.

Joe Cole will take the No.11 shirt while full-backs Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole take Nos.2 and 3.

Squad numbers:

1. David James
2. Glen Johnson
3. Ashley Cole
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Rio Ferdinand (capt)
6. John Terry
7. Aaron Lennon
8. Frank Lampard
9. Peter Crouch
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Joe Cole
12. Robert Green
13. Stephen Warnock
14. Gareth Barry
15. Matthew Upson
16. James Milner
17. Shaun Wright-Phillips
18. Jamie Carragher
19. Jermain Defoe
20. Ledley King
21. Emile Heskey
22. Michael Carrick
23. Joe Hart

EPL - Benitez leaves Liverpool

Rafael Benitez has left Liverpool by mutual consent.

Benitez, who took over from Gerard Houllier in 2004, found his position untenable after a disappointing season which saw Liverpool finish seventh in the Premier League, just 12 months after being runners-up to Manchester United.

After a poor start to the campaign, which included an exit from the Champions League in the group stage, Benitez guaranteed he would qualify for the competition in 2010-11. But Benitez failed to deliver on that guarantee and only booked a place in the Europa League due to Portsmouth's perilous financial state, with Liverpool losing 19 matches in all competitions.

Failure to qualify for Europe's elite competition has ramifications for Liverpool's own finances, leading to speculation that star names such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could be sold off to balance the books.

News of the 50-year-old's impending exit broke on Wednesday evening with talks underway to agree a compensation package. It is thought Benitez will receive a £6 million pay-off.

The Liverpool board feels that the club needs a new direction to stand any chance of finishing in the top four next season.

Benitez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and also reached the final 2007, is now the favourite to take over at Inter Milan following Jose Mourinho's exit for Real Madrid and Fabio Capello's decision to stay with England.

Serie A - Maicon targets Madrid move

Inter Milan defender Maicon has expressed his desire to leave the reigning European champions and follow former coach Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.

The highly-rated Brazilian has been heavily linked with a move to the Spanish capital in the wake of Mourinho's switch from Inter to the Bernabeu, and he suggested last week that he would consider leaving the San Siro.

Manchester City are also believed to be be interested in the right-back, but Maicon now admits that his sights are set on a move to Madrid.

Serie A - Cannavaro joins Al Ahli

Al Ahli have confirmed the signing of Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro on a two-year deal.

Cannavaro, 36, captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 and was named FIFA World Player of the Year, and he returned to Juventus last summer after a three-year stint with Real Madrid.

However, Juve decided against extending his contract after a disappointing season and, having failed to win a contract with hometown club Napoli, he has now opted to join defending UAE League champions Al Ahli.

Cannavaro, who has 132 caps for his country, will lead Italy in South Africa this summer before retiring from international duty.

Primera - Jonathan signs new contract with Barcelona

Barcelona youngster Jonathan dos Santos has signed a contract extension with the Spanish champions, tying him to the Nou Camp for a further two years.

Jonathan has progressed through the ranks at Barcelona since joining their youth team in 2002 and made his debut this year. The 20-year-old featured in three league matches, one Champions League game and a Copa del Rey tie.

Jonathan will now remain at the Nou Camp until 2012, while his release clause has also been upped to €30 million. The midfielder was included in Mexico's preliminary squad for the World Cup but was left out of the final 23.

EPL - West Brom sign Ibanez from Atletico

West Brom have confirmed they have completed the signing of Spanish defender Pablo Ibanez on a free transfer.

Ibanez has put pen to paper on a three-year deal which will come into effect on July 1 after his contract with Atletico Madrid expires.

The 28-year-old made just a handful of appearance last season following Quique Sanchez Flores' appointment as coach.

Ibanez has spent the last seven seasons in the Primera Division, making his top-flight debut in 2003 with hometown club Albacete. However, he lost his status as a regular starter in 2008 and made just seven appearances last campaign following the summer signing of Juanito and the arrival of Sanchez Flores.

Ibanez made 23 appearances for Spain and started three of their four World Cup matches in 2006 alongside Carlos Puyol.

EPL - West Ham confirm appointment of Avram Grant

Avram Grant has been confirmed as the new manager of West Ham, after he signed a four-year contract, subject to being granted a work permit.

Grant will join the club fresh from leading Portsmouth to the FA Cup final and will replace Gianfranco Zola, who was sacked at the end of the season.

EPL - Wigan boss Martinez hit with fine

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has been fined £2,250 by the Football Association and warned about his future conduct following comments made about referee Stuart Atwell.

Martinez made the comments in the wake of Wigan's 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City at Eastlands on March 29.

The Wigan boss had been angered by Atwell's decision to send of Gary Caldwell for a challenge on Carlos Tevez with the game at 0-0.

The charge was proven at a personal hearing with the Independent Regulatory Commission on Wednesday.

EPL - Craddock signs new deal

Wolves defender Jody Craddock has committed himself to the club for another year by signing a new contract.

Craddock, 34, has agreed a 12-month deal which will keep him at Molineux until the end of next season.

The defender, who made his 500th career appearance last season, joined Wolves in a £1.75 million switch from Sunderland in July 2003, and is delighted to be still plying his trade in the Premier League.

WC2010 - England named final squad

Arsenal's Theo Walcott will not be going to the World Cup in South Africa after England manager Fabio Capello omitted the winger from his final 23-man squad.

Walcott scored a memorable hat-trick as England secured a crucial 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory against Croatia in Zagreb, but that was back in September 2008 and he has struggled for form since.

Sunderland striker Darren Bent, Tottenham duo Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone, Manchester City winger Adam Johnson, Everton defender Leighton Baines and West Ham's Scott Parker also missed out.

Squad:

Robert Green, Joe Hart, David James, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

WC2010 - McCarthy out of World Cup finals

South Africa's all-time leading goalscorer Benni McCarthy has been left out of the Bafana Bafana squad for the World Cup finals.

West Ham United striker McCarthy has struggled for fitness in recent months and has been criticised for being overweight.

He was one of five players cut from a 28-man training squad with goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez, defenders Bryce Moon and Innocent Mdledle and midfielder Franklin Cale also omitted.

Squad:

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shuaib Walters (Maritzburg United), Siboniso Gaxa (Sundowns), Anele Ngcongca (Genk), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Matthew Booth (Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Kagiso Dikgacoi (Fulham), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Surprise Moriri (Sundowns), Bernard Parker (FC Twente), Katlego Mphela (Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows)

Primera - Mourinho unveiled as new boss

Jose Mourinho has been officially paraded in front of the press as the new manager of Real Madrid.

Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to an unprecedented treble last season, takes over from Manuel Pellegrini who was sacked after finishing second in La Liga and failing to get past the Second Round in the Champions League.

Mourinho is the Spanish giants' ninth coach in six years, with Real paying a reported ¬8 million in compensation.

EPL - Ramsey commits long-term future

Arsenal starlet Aaron Ramsey has signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League club.

Ramsey, 19, joined the Gunners from Cardiff in the summer of 2008 and played 29 times this season before having his campaign cut short by an horrendous leg break suffered against Stoke City in February.

The £4.8 million signing is expected to make a big impact at the Emirates in the coming years.

Ramsey is already won 11 caps for Wales and is a key player in John Toshack's youthful squad.

EPL - Van Damme signs for Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the signing of Belgium international Jelle Van Damme from Anderlecht.

Van Damme, who spent two seasons at Southampton between 2004 and 2006, joins for a fee of approximately £2.5 million and has signed a three-year contract at Molineux.

The left-sided defender, who can play at full-back or at centre-back, is looking forward to the challenge of Premier League football.

Serie A - Giampaolo takes over as manager of Catania

Marco Giampaolo has been appointed as the new head coach of Catania.

Giampaolo replaces Sinisa Mihajlovic, who left the Sicilian club last week having guided them to Serie A survival.

The 42-year-old had been out of a job since being dismissed as coach of Siena in October.

Under Mihajlovic, Catania finished 13th in Serie A, 10 points clear of the drop zone. Mihajlovic is set to be unveiled as Fiorentina boss this week.