Boateng: A Malaysian club has made a rare signing of an ex-English Premier League star by snapping up Dutch midfielder George Boateng. The Titans sealed the deal with the 37-year-old former Middlesbrough captain ahead of next year’s campaign, said Rozi Mamat, youth and sports minister, which funds the club.

Clattenburg: Referee Mark Clattenburg will miss a fourth successive weekend of English Premier League action as the FA continues an investigation into ‘racism’ allegations against the official. It is understood Clatten-burg, who denies the accusations against him, does not want to take charge of any matches until the FA have resolved the matter.

MLS final: Los Angeles Galaxy did enough on Sunday to book a return trip to the MLS Cup, where the reigning champions will again face Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer’s title match. Despite a 2-1 defeat to Seattle Sounders in the second leg of the Western Conference final, the LA Galaxy advanced 4-2 on aggregate. Hous-ton lost to the Galaxy in last year’s MLS Cup final.

Kagawa: Shinji Kagawa, Man-chester United’s Japan midfielder, faces at least another four weeks out of action. Kagawa has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury against Braga in the Champions League at Old Trafford last month.

Frimpong: Championship side Charlton have secured the services of Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong on loan. The 20-year-old has recently returned to fitness following a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained on loan at Wolves last season and moves to The Valley until New Year’s Day.

Gustavo: Bayern Munich holding midfielder Luiz Gustavo underwent groin surgery yesterday as his team departed for Valencia ahead of today’s Champions League game, the club said. Gustavo last played in the league game against Hamburg two weeks ago and had been nursing the injury ever since.