Football news

Espanyol fans paid tribute to the club’s former captain Dani Jarque at the Cornella stadium yesterday.

The central defender died on August 8 last year following a heart attack during his team’s pre-season preparations in Coverciano, near Florence.

To mark the first anniversary of his death, Espanyol decided to open gate 21 at the stadium between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for fans to come and pay tribute. Jarque was Espanyol’s number 21 and fans had gathered at that part of the ground last year to mourn the player’s death.

And hundreds of fans paid their respects again this time around.

Carragher to get new contract

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has revealed he is ready to give veteran defender Jamie Carragher a new contract.

Hodgson believes Carragher’s experience will be vital as he tries to rebuild a squad that finished seventh in the Premier League last season.

Carragher endured a mixed cam­paign personally as he went through a slump in form for a while, but it ended on a high when he was selected for England’s World Cup squad.

The 32-year-old has only one year left on his present deal.

“I know that Carragher has got one year left. That’s the only contract of a player that I know about. If you asked me how many years the others have got, I haven’t got a clue,” Hodgson said.

Mancini poised for double swoop

Roberto Mancini hopes to have Mario Balotelli and James Milner hitched to his Manchester City bandwagon by next Thursday.

Although Martin O’Neill hinted on Friday that Milner was on the verge of completing a switch to Eastlands, the contract remains unsigned.

Milner is due to link up with the England squad ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Hungary, which further complicates matters.

Balotelli has Italy commitments as well, although Mancini is hoping to tie up both deals very swiftly once those midweek fixtures are over.

“We hope that we can have these players by next Thursday. These deals could happen but we need to wait,” he said.

Beckham hopes for September return

David Beckham, who was ruled out of England’s World Cup campaign with a ruptured Achilles tendon, said he hopes to be back with his US club Los Angeles Galaxy next month.

The 35-year-old midfielder in­jured his left Achilles tendon in March during a Serie A match while on loan from the LA Galaxy to Milan.

Speaking on the Fox Soccer Channel, Beckham said he saw a doctor on Friday. He projected an October return, but Beckham said he responded “two or three weeks before that.”

“It’s just about getting strength back in my calf,” he said.

The Galaxy close the Major League Soccer regular season on October 24.

Fluminense sign Deco from Chelsea

Brazilian side Fluminense have announced they have signed Deco from Chelsea.

The club claimed on their official website the 32-year-old will sign a two-year contract at the Rio de Janeiro-based outfit and he will be officially unveiled today.

Deco, who was born in Brazil, joined Chelsea from Barcelona in 2008, signed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, but failed to shine at Stamford Bridge. He won the Champions League twice, with Barca in 2006 and Porto, under Jose Mourinho, in 2004.

He will link up at Fluminense with old Chelsea team-mate Juliano ­Belletti.

King Kazu beats own scorer record

Former Japan international striker Kazuyoshi Miura, known as “King Kazu,” re-wrote his own record as the J-League’s oldest goalscorer after bagging a goal at the age of 43 years, five months and 12 days.

Miura, who came on as a second-half substitute for Yokohama FC, beat the Giravanz Kitakyushu goalkeeper to help his team to a 2-0 victory on Saturday.

Miura, who bettered his own record of 41 years, seven months and 29 days, said he had not previously cared for the title because his team had lost when he first gained the honour two years ago.

Arteta signs new deal with Everton

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta signed a new five-year contract with the Premier League club. Arteta had been linked with a move to Arsenal but the 28-year-old has ended speculation over his future by agreeing the improved deal.

The Spaniard is the latest Everton star, after Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman, to sign a new contract since the end of last season.

Arteta said: “What this summer has made me realise is how important I am to the club and how important the club is to me.

“The chairman and the manager wanted me to stay 120 per cent and that makes me feel proud.”

Arteta, a former Rangers player, joined Everton in a permanent two-million pounds deal five years ago following a successful loan from Real Sociedad.