Sporting Briefs

KLUIVERT: Patrick Kluivert's move to Valencia has been put on hold for up to 20 days after a knee problem was detected during a medical. The Dutch striker was due to sign a three-year contract with the Spanish side after being released by England's Newcastle last week.

BAYERN MUNICH: Bayern Munich have agreed a deal with Werder Bremen to sign French defender Valerien Ismael, while sending German international midfielder Torsten Frings in the opposite direction. The 29-year-old Ismael will sign a three-year contract, Bayern said.

RIQUELME: Barcelona have agreed a deal to allow Argentine Juan Roman Riquelme to move permanently to Villarreal. Villarreal had agreed to buy between 75 and 80 per cent of Riquelme's rights from Barcelona for between five and seven million euros.

CELTA: Celta Vigo's promotion celebrations were stopped in their tracks yesterday after the Spanish FA punished them with a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player. The Galician side, who believed they won a return to the top flight after their 3-1 win at Xerez last weekend, will now have to win tomorrow's match against Eibar if they are to guarantee themselves a place in the Liga.

FORSSELL: Finnish striker Mikael Forssell completed a three million pound move from Premier League champions Chelsea to his former loan club Birmingham City yesterday. The 24-year-old has signed a three-year deal.

MARSEILLE: Nigeria midfielder Wilson Oruma has signed a three-year deal with Olympique Marseille, the club said yesterday. Oruma, 28, joins from Ligue 1 rivals Sochaux for an undisclosed transfer fee.