Luton Town won promotion back to the Football League after an absence of five years without kicking a ball late Tuesday when they were handed the Conference Premier crown.
Luton, a Championship club in 2007 before being relegated three times in a row, clinched the title when second-placed Cambridge United lost 2-0 at Kidderminster.
Former League Cup winners Luton, nicknamed the Hatters, have a 10-point lead over Cambridge with three matches to play.
Luton manager John Still has achieved promotion to the fourth tier of English football for the third time, having done so with Maidstone United and Dagenham and Redbridge.
Gundogan extends Dortmund stay
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has committed his future to Borussia Dortmund by signing a new deal.
The highly-rated Germany international, a reported target for a host of clubs across Europe, including Manchester United, has penned a new deal that will keep him at Dortmund until 2016.
The 23-year-old has barely featured this season because of a back problem, but was still set to have plenty of suitors over the summer.
Gundogan told the club’s website: “I am very grateful that my club gives me the opportunity to continue to be part of this special team and this very special environment.”
Kovacic not leaving
Mateo Kovacic has brushed aside speculation linking him with a move to England this summer, with the Croatian midfielder keen to remain at Inter.
The 19-year-old is a reported target of Liverpool and Arsenal but is tied to the Italian outfit for a further five years.
“I am happy because I arrived to Inter, a great club,” Kovacic said.
“I’m still adapting, I am young and I have to improve so much. But I want to become a leader at Inter.”
Kovacic joined the Nerazzurri from Dinamo Zagreb in January 2013 in a reported €15 million transfer fee.
Poyet dismisses exit rumours
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has dismissed speculation suggesting he is poised to leave the relegation-threatened club after telling reporters earlier this week that there was “something wrong” at the club.
The Uruguayan said he became aware of rumours regarding his position when he was contacted by his son.
“He asked ‘did you leave’? and I didn’t know what he meant,” Poyet said.
“Had I left a restaurant? Had I left home? Why are people expecting me to walk out?
“If I thought it was time to resign, or I wanted to resign then I would resign, but the situation here has never reached that point.”
Contract talks on hold, says Garcia
Roma coach Rudi Garcia is happy to postpone new contract talks until the end of the season.
The Frenchman joined Roma last summer from Lille and is under contract for a further campaign with the Serie A outfit.
Roma are eager to tie the 50-year-old tactician to a long-term contract, with Garcia having made a huge impact in his first year coaching in Serie A.
“I’ve said it already, I am very happy here (in Rome),” Garcia told reporters.
“I have decided alongside Roma executives to speak to the club at the end of the season and not before.”
Napoli set sights on Udinese’s Muriel
Udinese striker Luis Muriel is attracting interest from Napoli, according to reports in Italy.
The club are looking for a reliable back-up for Gonzalo Higuain as they have struggled for goals when the Argentine striker was not at his best.
Tuttomercatoweb reported that Napoli are lining up a bid for Muriel who could also play as a support for Higuain as well as his understudy.
However, Udinese president Franco Soldati yesterday dismissed the rumours.
“I’d say Muriel is staying with us. He was there at the presentation of next season’s team strip and we want to begin again from him,” Soldati said.
Man. City’s Garcia not going to Inter
Javi Garcia’s agent has ruled out a move to Serie A club Inter but confirmed that some English teams are interested in the Manchester City midfielder.
Inter are reportedly keen to sign the 27-year-old in the summer but his representative, Manuel Garcia Quillon, shut the door on the Nerazzurri’s hopes.
“There is absolutely no contact. Nobody called me, so Inter is not a possible option,” Quillon told reporters.
“So far only some English clubs have made their interest concrete.
“In any case, it’s not an issue we have to consider, because he still has three years left on his contract with City and intends to honour it.”