Football news

Russian energy giant Gazprom have extended their sponsorship deal with Champions League semi-finalists Schalke 04 until 2017.

The financial details have not been revealed, but according to information given to news agency SID, the German team’s success at reaching the last four in Europe has added between 12 and 25 million euros per year to the deal.

The previous deal ran from 2007 until 2012 and the Royal Blues’ Champions League run helped secure an extension before the Germans were beaten home and away by Manchester United in the semi-finals.

Bruce set to start signing spree

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will start the new recruitment process on Monday as he attempts to pick up some early bargains.

Bruce has already met with chairman Niall Quinn and identified a series of potential Bosman free signings who could start the ball rolling with this season’s chronic injury problems having exposed the depth of his squad.

He said: “I had a meeting with Niall. It was about the way ahead and which way we are plotting and looking. I would expect us to be extremely busy this summer.”

Sunderland could be in the market for the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Miroslav Klose.

Jelavic happy at Rangers

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic insists he is going nowhere despite being linked with a move to Manchester United.

The Croatian has been a hit at Ibrox after netting 19 goals in his debut season despite a spell of almost four months on the sidelines. His form saw him linked with a £13m switch to Old Trafford, but the forward – who joined Rangers for £4m last year – claims he is happy in Glasgow.

Jelavic said: “Frankly, I do not think about leaving because I am loving it at Rangers.

“Some of the stories about me leaving were simply people getting excited over nothing. I don’t think I need to push myself for sale.”

Hoops seal renewals for Green Brigade

Celtic have belatedly issued season-ticket renewal forms to members of the Green Brigade section of their support on the basis they refrain from “lateral movement”.

The club had delayed issuing forms to fans in Section 111 of Celtic Park after Glasgow City Council’s safety team for sports grounds expressed concerns over the co-ordinated jumping of the most vocal group of supporters.

A statement said: “Celtic has received confirmation from the safety team that the issuing of season books for this section can now be made on the basis that all season book holders within this section refrain from any lateral movement.

“Clearly, the club has worked hard to ensure that we can maintain this section.”

Cavani set to sign new contract

Napoli are set to award striker Edinson Cavani with a new contract following his exploits in the Serie A this season.

The Uruguayan hot-shot scored 33 goals in 45 appearances for Napoli, with 26 of those coming in Serie A and seven in the Europa League.

Cavani and Napoli have agreed on a new contract until 2016 which will see the player earning around €2m a season.

Cavani is strictly only on loan from Palermo this term, but Napoli will take up their option to buy him outright before the new campaign begins.

Cavani is suspended for the last game of the campaign at Juventus on Sunday.

Chelsea to play in Malaysia July 21

Chelsea will play in Malaysia on July 21, the event organiser said.

The club will meet Malaysia XI at the 87,000-capacity Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur as part of their Asia Tour, John Merritt, the Singapore-based managing director for promoter ProEvents said.

Liverpool have also said they will play in Malaysia in July, but no date has been announced yet, Merritt said.

“So far we have only an-nounced this one team (Chelsea),” he said.

“There will be more announcements over the coming weeks.”

Ticket sales for the Chelsea match will begin today, with an online purchasing option up and running on May 30.

Rooney threatens Twitter abuser

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney warned a Twitter follower who threatened him, “I’ll put u asleep within 10 seconds”.

Rooney found himself drawn into an angry exchange after the follower, who appeared to be a fan of Liverpool, taunted him by saying: “Rooney ya fat whore ill smash ya head in with a pitchin wedge an bury ya with a ballast fork...”

Rooney dared the follower to meet him at United’s training ground to carry out his threat, replying: “I will put u asleep within 10 seconds.”

Rooney later tried to laugh off the situation by posting: “Haha bit of banter and people go nuts chill all people.”