Ferdinand: Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has joined Premier League Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer after he was released by Manchester United, the London club said. Ferdinand, 35, has signed a one-year contract with QPR who were promoted back to the top flight through the second tier playoffs last season. The centre back, who played 81 times for England, ended his 12-year spell at United at the end of last season after making more than 400 appearances.
Ljajic: The agent of Serbia international Adem Ljajic insists his client will remain at Roma next season despite speculation over his future. Roma signed Argentina winger Juan Manuel Iturbe from Verona on Wednesday increasing speculation that Ljajic could leave the Giallorossi this summer. “I can assure everyone that Ljajic will remain at Roma,” Ljajic’s agent Fali Ramadani said. “There is no intention from the player to leave.”
Gomes: Valencia have completed the signing of Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes from Benfica after he passed his medical. The 20-year-old put pen to paper on a deal yesterday and was officially unveiled as a Los Che player after its completion. Gomes said: “I am very happy to be at this great club. I promise to give the maximum to the team.”
Venezuela: Noel ‘Chita’ Sanvicente, Venezuela’s most successful club coach, was handed the reins of the national team yesterday. Sanvicente, who has won the Venezuelan league title seven times with two different clubs, is charged with steering his country to the World Cup finals for the first time in Russia in 2018. The 49-year-old replaces Cesar Farias, who quit eight months ago after narrowly failing to see Venezuela qualify for this year’s Brazil finals.
Gilmar: Former World Cup winning goalkeeper Gilmar Rinaldi has been appointed Brazil’s new technical director. His appointment comes three days after coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his backroom staff resigned following Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in their World Cup semi-final. “He is general coordinator and he will coordinate all Brazil’s national teams, including the women’s team,” said CBF president Jose Maria Marin. “He is the link between the president and the coaches.”
Dortmund: Borussia Dortmund have announced the capture of Matthias Ginter from Freiburg on a five-year deal. The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of €10 million. The 20-year-old has signed a contract until June 2019 after passing his medical.