Football news

Former Italy defender Alessandro Nesta has agreed terms with the Montreal Impact, the Major League Soccer club have announced.

The 36-year-old, a World Cup winner with the Azzurri in 2006, was out of contract at Milan and will officially join the American club upon receiving his international transfer certificate.

Nesta said: “Despite some offers to continue my career in Europe, I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to play in MLS.

“Upon visiting my friend Marco (Di Vaio) to see him play his first game with Montreal, I met great people in this club. I really liked what I saw and I want to be here.”

West Brom eye striker Martins

West Brom have inquired about signing striker Obafemi Martins on loan but his current club Rubin Kazan are only interested in a permanent deal.

Rubin are looking to recoup around £3m from off-loading former Newcastle player Martins rather than allowing him to move to the Hawthorns on a temporary basis. It is understood his wage demands of around £40,000 a week could also prove a stumbling block.

Albion had also asked about signing Martins on loan during the January 2011 transfer window but he opted instead to join Birmingham and scored the winning goal in their shock Carling Cup final triumph over Arsenal.

Ajax post for Marc Overmars

Ajax named Marc Overmars as their new technical director. His appointment completes the club’s three-man board of directors which also comprises Henri van der Aat and Jeroen Slop.

The 39-year-old former Holland winger, who played for Ajax as well as Arsenal and Barcelona in a glittering career, will be responsible for the club’s youth department, transfers and scouting at the Amsterdammers.

Overmars was previously a member of the backroom staff at Go Ahead Eagles.

During his playing career at Ajax, Overmars won three Eredivisie titles and the Champions League.

Woodgate at Boro

Jonathan Woodgate yesterday completed a return to M’Boro after agreeing a three-year deal.

Boro have confirmed that the 32-year-old former England international has signed for his hometown club for the second time after making a £7 million switch from Real Madrid in 2007.

Woodgate was a free agent after his contract at Stoke expired at the end of last month.

The former Newcastle defender has already set his sights on helping the Teessiders to regain a place in the Premier League.

Woodgate said: “The pull of helping Boro back in the Premier League is very strong for me, and from what I have seen of the current squad I think it’s achievable.”

Verratti in talks with Paris SG

Pescara playmaker Marco Verratti is in talks with Paris St Germain with a view to completing a move to the French club, according to his agent.

The 19-year-old, who proved crucial in helping Pescara gain promotion to Serie A for next season, appears set to move to the Ligue 1 in a reported €14m deal this summer.

“We had our first meeting with PSG and it was very productive,” said Verratti’s agent Donato Di Campli.

Verratti has made 74 appearances for Pescara since making his debut at the age of 16. The Italy Under-21 international is also a reported target of Juventus and Napoli.

Hulk, Silva and Marcelo in Brazil squad for London

Porto striker Hulk, Milan’s Thiago Silva and Real Madrid defender Marcelo were this week included as the three over-age players in Brazil coach Mano Menezes’s squad for the Olympic Games.

Silva has been handed the captain’s armband as Brazil go in search of their first Olympic gold medal at London 2012.

Also featuring are younger stars Neymar of Santos, Manchester United’s Rafael and Juan, of Inter.

Two absentees from the list are Barcelona’s Daniel Alves and David Luiz of Chelsea.

Beckham banned for one game after outburst

David Beckham was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer for his actions during and after a loss last weekend.

Veteran Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Beckham was banned by the MLS disciplinary committee for tomorrow’s match at Chicago for confrontational and provocative behaviour during and just after a 4-3 loss on June 30.

In the final moments of last weekend’s match against San Jose, Beckham had a notable outburst.

The former England inter-national began shouting at and shoving rival players and nearly punched the San Jose club’s comic-costumed mascot before being restrained.