Football news

Fulham have signed Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler on a one-year contract.

The veteran goalkeeper sealed his switch after spending the last three weeks training with the Cottagers. He is manager Roy Hodgson's 10th signing of the summer after arriving from Neuchatel Xamax.

Swiss keeper Zuberbuhler, 37, has played in England before with West Bromwich Albion two years ago and is likely to provide back-up for Australian international Mark Schwarzer who joined Fulham on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in June.

Rovers snap up Cruz's younger brother

Blackburn Rovers will have another Cruz on their books this season after they signed the brother of Paraguay international striker Roque Santa Cruz.

Rovers have acquired 18-year-old Julio on a three-year deal subject to international clearance.

Santa Cruz, who played for Cerro Porteno in Paraguay, had been on trial since the end of last season and is likely to form part of Blackburn's reserves squad this season.

"I am very happy to be here at Blackburn, it will be an amazing adventure for me," Santa Cruz told the club's website.

Kanu signs new Portsmouth deal

Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu has settled on a new one-year contract with English FA Cup winners Portsmouth, with the option of a further year if he plays a certain number of matches.

"I love it here and I want to be part of the team so I'm happy to have signed. I hope the supporters are happy too," the 32-year-old told the club's website.

Kanu was signed by Portsmouth manager Redknapp on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion in August 2006 after high-profile spells with Ajax, Inter and Arsenal.

He is currently sidelined by a thigh injury and is battling to be fit for Sunday's Community Shield clash with Manchester United.

He added on Portsmouth's website: "I'm doing a programme with the physios and getting better, so I wouldn't want to rule myself out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Baptista's Roma switch in jeopardy

Striker Julio Baptista's switch to Roma is in danger of falling through due to the transfer fee being asked by Real Madrid, according to the player's agent.

"Julio is not happy with the situation at Real Madrid," Herminio Menendez, Baptista's agent, told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

"He's a Brazil international and he's looking for a team which will play him every game.

"Roma are a prestigious club who play in the Champions League. Everyone aspires to be in that position.

"But it's not just down to the player, it depends on the club. I don't know if Roma can pay what Real are asking for the player."

Mutu extends Viola contract

Adrian Mutu (picture) has extended his contract with Fiorentina until 2012.

The Romanian international's future in Florence was thrown into doubt last month when Roma announced that they were close to signing Mutu but their €22 million bid was eventually rejected by the Fiorentina owners.

"Fiorentina would like to communicate the official extension of Mutu's contract until 2012," a statement on the club's website read.

The terms of Mutu's new deal are yet to be released, but it has been suggested that he will earn €2.2m per season over the next four years.

Van Nistelrooy wants to focus on club only

Ruud van Nistelrooy has retired from international football to concentrate on his club career, the Netherlands FA said this week.

The 32-year-old striker told national team coach Bert van Marwijk he will no longer be available for selection, having decided he cannot perform to his best for both club and country.

The Real Madrid forward was quoted as saying: "After studying the schedules of Real Madrid and the Dutch team, I realised that playing for both sides would mean too tough a physical challenge for me. So I have made this decision. I am taking no chances, and after an enjoyable Euro 2008, I can look back with a good feeling."

Van Nistelrooy scored 33 goals in 64 games for the Dutch national team following his debut in November 1998.

Mourinho pleased with Inter progress

Jose Mourinho has declared himself pleased with the progress his Inter side are making after Tuesday's 1-0 win over Bayern Munich .

Missing a number of players because of injuries, the Serie A champions were expected to struggle against Bayern but they lifted the Franz Beckenbauer Cup thanks to a Mancini goal.

"It was a good training exercise for us," Mourinho said. "We met a great side who will start their Bundesliga campaign in a few days and are obviously a bit ahead of us in their preparations."

"What I liked most was the progress of the team," the former Chelsea boss added. "Game after game we are just getting better and better."