Sporting briefs

Stoichkov: New CSKA Sofia coach Hristo Stoichkov is deter-mined to instil hard work and discipline and limit the use of mobile phones and social networking at his former club. “I can promise the fans discipline,” Stoichkov told reporters at the Bulgarska Armiya stadium where he was officially presented. Stoichkov, who won three league titles and four national cups as a CSKA player in the 1980s, received a rapturous welcome as thousands of fans cheered him and let off flares during the club’s first pre-season training session.

Joaquin: Serie A club Fioren-tina have agreed to buy former Spain winger Joaquin from Malaga pending a medical, the two clubs said yesterday. Joaquin, who will be 32 next month, began his professional career at Real Betis and joined Malaga in 2011 after a five-year stint at Valencia. Neither club disclosed financial details of the deal.

Simons: Belgium central defender Timmy Simons has left Nuremberg with a year left on his contract to rejoin Club Bruges after asking for a transfer, the Bundesliga club said yesterday. The 36-year-old, who has signed a two-year deal with the Belgian club, had established himself as a leading player for Nuremberg since joining in 2010 from PSV Eindhoven.

Getafe: Getafe have completed the signing of left-back Roberto Lago from Primera Liga side Celta Vigo on a four-year contract. The 27-year-old, who made 34 appearances last term as Celta narrowly avoided relegation, becomes Getafe's first acquisition of the summer. “Roberto Lago is a new player of Getafe. He will wear the dark blue for the next four seasons,” the club said.

U-17 friendly: (Played on Tuesday) Malta vs Austria 1-3.