Football news

Finland striker Mikael Forssell has left Birmingham City to join Bundesliga side Hannover 96 on a three-year deal, the German club announced.

"I am very pleased that we were able to convince Mikael to join," Hannover's sporting director Christian Hochstatter told reporters.

The 27-year-old former Chelsea and Borussia Moenchengladbach player, whose contract at St Andrew's was due to expire this month, scored nine goals last season. Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League.

Langella signs for Udinese

Udinese have signed a four-year deal with speedy Atalanta forward Antonio Langella, the Serie A club said.

Langella enjoyed a successful season with Atalanta after arriving from Cagliari last summer and has seen his stock rise over the last 12 months. At the age of 31, he is now ready to step onto the European stage for the first time with Udinese.

"I have arrived with great enthusiasm at a hard-working club that have done great things over the last few years and will be able to play in the UEFA Cup next term," he said.

"The chance to play in Europe played a significant part in my decision."

Fast-track decision for 2022 World Cup

FIFA wants to fast-track the decision on where the 2022 World Cup will be played to 2011, triggering a likely frenzy of international bidding.

Sepp Blatter is proposing that FIFA brings forward the 2022 announcement by four years to 2011, the same time it is due to decide the venue for 2018.

Blatter said he would encourage potential bidders to nominate for both events but said FIFA rules would prevent the two tournaments being staged in countries from the same continent.

The bidding for 2018 is already looming as a fierce contest with the US, China, Russia, Australia, Japan, England, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium and Qatar all expressing interest.

With the World Cup heading to South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014, Blatter said Europe was looming as the most likely venue for 2018.

Emre set for Turkey return

Fenerbahce have reportedly agreed a deal with Newcastle to take Emre Belozoglu back to Turkey.

"Fenerbahce have reached an agreement with Newcastle United in order to sign the Turkish midfielder Emre Belozoglu," a club spokesman said.

Newcastle have yet to comment although it would not be a surprise if he were to leave St James' Park.

The former Galatasaray and Inter midfielder has failed to shine in England after joining Newcastle in July 2005.

Borriello back at Milan

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi said he was sad to see striker Marco Borriello leave the club after a loan period.

The 25-year-old scored 19 goals last season and helped Genoa to a 10th-place finish.

Genoa bought 50 per cent of Borriello's contract from Milan last summer, but the latter have paid £7m to buy it back. Milan have also thrown in youngster Davide Di Gennaro to sweeten the deal, but Borriello will be difficult to replace.

"I am sorry to lose him," said Preziosi. "But Milan offered him €2.9m a season, which is far more than we could give him."

Fiorentina target Burdisso

Inter's Nicolas Burdisso is among the players Fiorentina want to sign in the transfer season, according to media reports.

The club from Florence are looking to strengthen their defensive department after qualifying for the preliminary stages of the 2008/09 Champions League.

Director of Sport Pantaleo Corvino had tried to persuade Andrea Barzagli to join Fiorentina from Palermo but the 27-year-old instead signed for German outfit Wolfsburg.

Corvino has since shifted his attention to Burdisso, who made 24 appearances for Inter last season and scored one goal.

Torres not leaving Liverpool

Fernando Torres told reporters it will be "many years" before he considers leaving Anfield. The Spaniard had a superb debut season with Liverpool following his transfer from Atletico Madrid, finding the net 24 times in the Premier League alone.

His eye-catching displays have seen Torres linked with a host of the continent's biggest sides, with Chelsea rumoured to be lining up a £50 million swoop. But Torres is adamant he will not leave Liverpool.

"It is an honour to be linked to clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea or Arsenal but I am not thinking about a change and I want to continue playing for Liverpool for many years to come," he said.

"I have been part of a team where a player can rely on the support of his team-mates and coach. It is a combination of all these factors."