Football news

Spanish defender Cesar Azpili-cueta has completed his move from Marseille to Chelsea. The 22-year-old right-back has joined the Euro champions in a deal reportedly worth £7 million.

Azpilicueta missed Marseille’s Europa League qualifier against Sheriff Tiraspol Thursday night as he travelled to London to complete the deal.

“Cesar Azpilicueta’s transfer to Chelsea’s is official. The Spanish defender has signed with the Champions of Europe 2012,” a Marseille statement said.

Pato, Ganso out

Alexander Pato and unsettled midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso were the major names missing from Brazil coach Mano Menezes’s 22-man squad to face South Africa and China.

After failing to win gold at the Olympics, Menezes is looking for his team to get back on track.

Pato misses out with a muscle tear while Ganso was not considered as he continues to consider his club future.

Brazil face South Africa in a friendly in Sao Paulo on September 7 and China in Recife, three days later.

AVB rules out Van der Vaart sale

Andre Villas-Boas says he has no intention of selling Rafael van der Vaart.

Van der Vaart has been an undoubted success since he signed from Real Madrid two years ago, but the Dutchman had to settle for a place on the bench last week at Newcastle, with Villas-Boas selecting Gylfi Sigurdsson for his first game in charge.

Van der Vaart has been strongly linked with a return to Hamburg, where his wife Sylvie works.

Asked whether it was his intention to sell the Dutchman, Villas-Boas said: “No, on the contrary. He’s a player of great importance for us, a player I count on.

“I’m not sure if Hamburg are interested but he’s a player who at the moment is not for sale.”

Valencia agree Cissokho deal

Valencia have confirmed they have agreed a deal with Lyon to sign French left-back Aly Cissokho. The 24-year-old will move on a four-year deal.

Valencia’s sporting director Braulio Vazquez said: “Aly is a player with vast international experience that belies his youth.

“He has played for the French national team and has participated in high-level games in competitions such as the Champions League.

“Cissokho is physically powerful, very strong defensively and someone who will increase the competitiveness of the team, especially on the left side.

“This signing completes a very strong squad in all aspects, which excites us immensely.”

Cissokho joined Lyon from Porto in 2009.

Jarvis moves

West Ham have confirmed the signing of Matt Jarvis (picture) for a club-record fee with the former Wolves winger penning a five-year deal at Upton Park.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce had already seen two bids for the England international rejected but has now got his man for a fee believed to be £10.75 million.

Speaking ahead of the move, Allardyce claimed he was signing “one of the best final-third crossers in the Premier League”.

Jarvis, 26, said: “West Ham is a fantastic club and I’m pleased to be here. It’s a great club and it’s got great history.

“I know about Bobby Moore and the tradition that go with that.”

Argentina call for Aguero

Argentina have called up injured Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru next month.

Aguero sustained a knee injury in City’s opening Premier League match against South-ampton on Sunday and his club do not expect him back on duty until after the international break.

Man. City manager Roberto Mancini has earmarked Aguero for a comeback at Stoke on September 15.

Argentina play at home against Paraguay on September 7 and then travel to face Peru on September 11.

Japan’s Otsu moving to Celtic

Japanese Olympic striker Yuki Otsu appears bound for Celtic after the Scottish club made an offer to German side Borussia Moenchengladbach, a Japanese sports daily reported.

The 22-year-old forward was the scorer when Japan pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Olympic football history last month, stunning Spain 1-0 in Glasgow.

Celtic were so impressed with the youngster’s performance that they put in a bid for him, with a formal transfer agreement expected to be announced within a few days, the online edition of Sports Nippon reported.

“We have been negotiating after receiving an offer from Celtic.

“When we settle the terms, his transfer will be fixed,” Sports Nippon quoted a person close to Otsu as saying.