Football news

Eidur Gudjohnsen said he is excited about the new challenge of playing for Monaco in the French first division this season after completing his move from Barcelona.

Gudjohnsen joined the Spanish giants in 2006 from Chelsea, playing 72 league matches over three seasons and helping the club to win the Champions League, the league title and the King's Cup.

However lack of match time last season prompted the Iceland striker to seek a move and last weekend he joined Monaco.

"It's a new challenge for me. Monaco are a club with a great history," said Gudjohnsen.

"What the coach has told me about the role he expects me to play has got me excited. I hope my experience will tell and help me produce plenty of goals."

I will never leave United - Rooney

Wayne Rooney insists there is no chance he would ever walk out on Manchester United.

Rooney saw Cristiano Ronaldo quit Old Trafford to join Real Madrid in a world-record £80 million deal during the close-season.

But Rooney is enjoying life with Alex Ferguson's team too much to consider turning his back on the Premier League champions.

Rooney said: "I've always said I love this club and, as long as I'm wanted here, I'll play here. I can't see one reason why I should want to move.

"I've everything I want. My family are just 30 minutes away, I'm settled and I honestly can't see me going anywhere else unless I'm told otherwise by the manager."

Barca's Bojan out for three weeks

Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic will be out of action for two to three weeks due to a thigh muscle injury, the Spanish and European champions said.

The 19-year-old picked up the injury during Barcelona's 3-0 win over Sporting Gijon at home on Monday in their opening match of the new Spanish season in which he scored the first goal.

Krkic, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, limped off the pitch with 10 minutes left in the match.

"I hope we get him back as soon as possible, because we need him. I have a lot of confidence in him," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said after the match.

Croatian chief fumes over Modric injury

Croatian FA chief Vlatko Markovic is concerned that his country's Premier League-based stars have been targeted for rough treatment after Luka Modric suffered a broken leg playing for Tottenham and will miss the qualifier against England on Sepember 9.

Markovic was furious when he heard Modric would be out for two months as it brought back memories of the broken leg suffered by Arsenal striker Eduardo - also against Birmingham - in February 2008, which meant he was unavailable when Croatia faced England in Zagreb last September.

Markovic said: "First Eduardo, now Luka Modric. This is horrible. I can only ask myself if it was really an accident.

"I'm close to thinking it was done to us deliberately before the England match. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what happened to Luka. He is irreplaceable."

Ribery not close to Van Gaal

France international midfielder Franck Ribery said he has yet to forge any kind of personal relationship with new Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal.

Ribery, a transfer target for Real Madrid in the close season, said he much preferred former Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

"It's the first time that I haven't really felt close to a coach. There's not much feeling between us at all," Ribery told L'Equipe.

"Our relationship is professional. It was totally different with Ottmar Hitzfeld, for example. He was a real joy to work with and the best coach I've known at Bayern."

Van der Vaart to stay at Real Madrid

Real Madrid have decided to keep midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, the player himself has announced, despite reports he was set to join the Dutch exodus at the club.

Real Madrid "assured me that they believe in my qualities, and they want me to stay in the club," Van der Vaart said.

The 26-year-old has reportedly been among a number of players on the transfer list as new club president Florentino Perez sought to recoup some of the more than €250 million he has splashed out on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso.

Inter loan Kerlon to Ajax

Ajax have signed midfielder Kerlon from Inter on a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old Brazilian, famous for his unique 'seal dribble', will stay in Amsterdam until June 2010 with Ajax also having the option to make the deal permanent.

The former Cruzeiro and Chievo playmaker will start with Jong Ajax (Ajax's reserves) but boss Martin Jol is confident he will soon be making an impact in the first team.

"He will start at Jong Ajax but I hope he stays for a long time and can play many games. I have faith he can have a large value for the first team," he said.