Sporting briefs
Jarosik: Czech midfielder Jiri Jarosik, out of contract with Real Zaragoza, has signed with Sparta Prague. Jarosik played 23 matches for the national side between 2000 and 2005, but has refused to make himself available in recent years. The 33-year-old...
Jarosik: Czech midfielder Jiri Jarosik, out of contract with Real Zaragoza, has signed with Sparta Prague. Jarosik played 23 matches for the national side between 2000 and 2005, but has refused to make himself available in recent years. The 33-year-old has won national titles in four countries, with Sparta Prague, CSKA Moscow, Chelsea and Celtic.
La Volpe: Costa Rica’s Argentine coach Ricardo La Volpe has quit his post after 11 months in the job. FCF president Eduardo Li said that the decision had been taken by mutual consent and that La Volpe would not receive a financial settle-ment. La Volpe, 59, took over from Ronald Gonzalez last September with the aim of qualifying the team for the 2014 World Cup after failing to make the previous edition.
Zuculini: Spanish top flight team Real Zaragoza said they have signed Argentine midfielder Franco Zuculini on a one-year loan from Germany’s Hoffenheim. Zaragoza have the option to buy the 20-year-old, who already has one cap for his country. Hoffenheim bought Zuculini for €4.7 million in 2009 from Argentina club Racing Club Avellaneda.
Jeda: Striker Nelson Jeda, 32, is on his way to leaving Lecce to join Serie A rivals Novara, reports said. The league newcomers were first linked with David Suazo but the latter is now a Catania player, forcing Novara to look elsewhere to strengthen their attacking department. Jeda has been in Italy since 2000 and played for Vicenza, Siena, Palermo, Piacenza, Catania, Crotone, Rimini, Cagliari and Lecce.
McCarthy: Former Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United striker Benni McCarthy scored on his debut as Orlando Pirates launched their South African Premiership title defence with a 2-0 victory at promoted Black Leopards late Friday. Much is expected of 33-year-old McCarthy, who scored a record 31 goals for the national team before weight problems cost him a place in the squad when South Africa hosted the World Cup last year.
Dicko: Wigan Athletic have signed 19-year-old winger Nouha Dicko on a three-year deal after a successful trial. Dicko impressed manager Roberto Martinez in the Latics’ pre-season matches against Preston and Villarreal. He was a free agent after being released by French club Stras-bourg because of their financial problems.