Sporting briefs

Giovinco: Italian international offensive midfielder Sebastian Giovinco signed for Serie A side Parma from rivals Juventus yesterday. The 24-year-old cost Parma 3million euros for half-ownership of him with Juventus retaining the other 50 per cent.

Rangers: Rangers have confirmed they have lodged an offer with Aston Villa as they step up their bid to take Carlos Cuellar back to Ibrox. But owner Craig Whyte has told new Villa boss Alex McLeish that goalkeeper Allan McGregor is not for sale.

Schaefer: Thailand are close to signing Germany’s Winfried Schaefer as coach of their national football team. “It’s almost certain now,” said Ongarj Kosinkar, general secretary of the FA of Thailand.

Bad fall: Kaiserslautern striker Adam Nemec has been ruled out for three months after falling from a tree at his home. The 25-year-old Slovakia international fractured two vertebrae, broke his collarbone and was concussed in the incident on Monday evening.

Birmingham: Chris Hughton was appointed as manager of Birmingham City on Wednesday – just 10 days after Alex McLeish resigned to take charge of local rivals Aston Villa. Birmingham were relegated from the English Premier League last season while Villa, whose manager Gerard Houllier resigned on health grounds, stayed in the top flight.

UEFA U-21: Semi-finals – Spain vs Belarus 3-1 (aet); Czech Rep. vs Switzerland 0-1 (aet).