Roma have announced they have secured the right to sign Perth Glory midfielder Daniel De Silva at the conclusion of the 2014/15 A-League season.
The 17-year-old, who made his debut for Perth in March 2013 to become the club’s youngest ever professional player, will be able to join the Serie A club next May for an undisclosed fee.
Perth Glory chief executive Jason Brewer said: “This is a great opportunity for Daniel and is a clear indication of the talent that he has.”
Bentley retires
Former England midfielder David Bentley has retired from football aged 29.
Bentley, who was once dubbed the natural heir to David Beckham because of his ability to cross the ball, played for various different professional clubs including Tottenham, where he moved for £15m in 2008.
The former Arsenal trainee struggled to establish himself at White Hart Lane and was sent on loan to Birmingham City, West Ham United, Rostov and Blackburn Rovers before being released last year.
Bentley said: “The game has changed a lot. Now it’s a little bit robotic... I hate to say it but it’s made it boring.”
Bentley’s 12-year career included seven caps for England.
Genoa snap up Tachtsidis
Genoa have signed Greek midfielder Panagiotis Tachtsidis on a permanent basis while allowing Francesco Lodi to join relegated Catania.
Tachtsidis spent the 2013-14 Serie A season on loan at Torino but, after the Granata opted against activating a purchase option on the 23-year-old, Genoa yesterday decided to buy his full registration from Sicilian club Catania.
Free-kick specialist Lodi was only sold to Genoa by Catania last summer yet heads back to the Stadio Angelo Massimino after the co-ownership agreement between the clubs was resolved as part of the deal for Tachtsidis.
Lazio appoint Pioli as new manager
Lazio have appointed Stefano Pioli as their new coach with the former Bologna manager replacing Edy Reja, who confirmed his resignation in midweek.
“Lazio announces that Stefano Pioli will be the new coach of the first team from July 1, 2014,” the Italian Serie A club said in a statement on its website.
Lazio finished ninth in Serie A last season, missing out on a place in European competition.
Pioli was sacked as coach of Bologna last season and the club was eventually relegated.
It was also reported that Massimiliano Allegri was offered the job first, but the ex-Milan manager turned it down.
Martinez sticking with the Toffees
Everton manager Roberto Martinez (picture) expressed his delight after committing his future to the club until 2019 late Thursday.
The 40-year-old Spaniard, who took over from David Moyes at Goodison Park last summer, has been rewarded for an impressive first season in charge.
Under Martinez, Everton finished fifth in the Premier League with their record points tally in the competition.
His new five-year deal, on presumably improved terms, ends immediate speculation linking him with a move elsewhere.
Martinez said: “I loved my first season at Everton.
“I could not be more proud of the way we performed throughout the entire season and the memories we were able to make together.”
Jermaine Jones still respects Germany
Not celebrating a goal against your former team has become something of a fashion in European club football, but United States midfielder Jermaine Jones says he will also follow that trend if he scores against his country of birth, Germany.
The US and Germany clash in a Group D match in Recife on June 26.
Born in Frankfurt to a German mother and US father, Jones played three times for Germany in friendlies before switching his allegiance to the US.
“If I score against Germany, I will not celebrate. I think it’s in respect. I grew up in this country (Germany) and it gave me a lot,” he said.
Sagna signs for Manchester City
Man. City have announced the signing of France and Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna.
The 31-year-old will join the Premier League champions from Arsenal following the World Cup in Brazil on a three-year deal.
Sagna, who has represented the Gunners more than 200 times since joining them from Auxerre in 2007, is in Didier Deschamps’s France squad.
City say the defender will wear the vacant number three shirt at the Etihad Stadium, the same number he wore for Arsenal.
Sagna chose to leave the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer having turned down the offer of a new contract.