Mainz have snapped up Chile international Gonzalo Jara on a two-year contract after he became a free agent.
The 28-year-old defender, who played for West Brom, Nottingham Forest and Brighton in England, could extend his stay with the Bundesliga club based on performances.
“Gonzalo Jara played himself into the limelight with some strong performances at the World Cup,” said Mainz’s general manager Christian Heidel.
Jara, who has been capped 69 times by his country, said he was “looking forward to the new challenge in the Bundesliga after many years in England”.
United add noodle maker to sponsors
Manchester United signed a multi-season sponsorship deal with Japanese noodle maker Nissin yesterday.
The agreement follows a record sportswear partnership announced this week with Germany's Adidas, worth £75 million a season from next year, in spite of United’s disappointing results in the English Premier League last season.
The club now have 14 global partners and can earn up to about £9 million a year from tie-ups such as the Nissin agreement, though commercial terms of the latest deal were not disclosed.
Schalke warn suitors off Goretzka
Schalke’s director of sport Horst Heldt has warned off clubs interested in Leon Goretzka, saying the young midfielder is not for sale at any price.
Goretzka was part of the expanded Germany squad in the lead-up to the World Cup after emerging in the Royal Blues’ first team last season.
However, the 19-year-old will be given more time to develop in Gelsenkirchen.
“Leon has got the quality and potential to play for a top club in Europe, only we’re planning his future here with us,” Heldt told Sport Bild magazine.
“He is not for sale at any price.”
Newcastle close in on Riviere
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is poised to make a breakthrough in his search for a new strikeforce, with the club closing in on Monaco’s Emmanuel Riviere.
Press Association Sport reported that the two clubs have reached agreement over the £4.7-million-rated 24-year-old.
Riviere would become Pardew’s fifth summer signing, with Holland defender Daryl Janmaat yet to formally complete his switch to Tyneside from Feyenoord.
Newcastle’s striking department was decimated at the end of last season by the departures of loan signings Loic Remy and Luuk de Jong and the out-of-contract Shola Ameobi, while Papiss Cisse is recovering from a knee injury.
Real Madrid to sign Navas – reports
Real Madrid are set to sign Costa Rica’s World Cup hero Keylor Navas (picture) after paying the goalkeeper’s release clause, according to reports in Spain.
Marca claimed the European champions have activated Levante keeper Navas’ €10 million release clause.
The transfer would, however, have ramifications for Madrid stopper Diego Lopez, who Marca reported is set to move to either Serie A side Napoli or Monaco.
Lopez was Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper in Primera Liga matches last season but captain Iker Casillas started every game in the Copa del Rey and throughout Real’s successful Champions League campaign.
New QPR deal for Zamora
QPR’s Wembley hero Bobby Zamora has signed a new one-year contract with the club.
Zamora scored the last-minute goal that earned Harry Redknapp’s men a play-off final win over Derby in May, granting them an instant return to the top flight.
It had appeared he might not be going back to the Premier League with them, though, as an extension to his expired deal was not agreed.
The veteran striker has now penned a 12-month contract, however.
“I’m over the moon,” said Zamora after agreeing to stay with the club until the summer of 2015.
Negredo: I don’t want to leave City
Striker Alvaro Negredo insists he is happy at Manchester City and is not looking to leave the club.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move back to Spain only a year after leaving Sevilla for the Premier League.
But in a Q&A on City’s website, Negredo denied he was homesick.
“I don’t want to leave City,” he said.
“I’m very happy here. I had a difficult end to the season and that’s why there has been a lot of talking, but I’ve been very happy here from the first day I arrived.”
Atletico Madrid were reported to be a possible destination for Negredo following Diego Costa's departure to Chelsea, but it is understood City would not welcome any approach even if he had wanted to leave.