Former Brazil skipper and 2002 World Cup winner Lucio has signed up as FC Goa‘s marquee player for the second season of the burgeoning Indian Super League (ISL), the club said.
The 37-year-old former Bayern Munich and Inter defender had been playing at home with Palmeiras but will join up with Brazil great Zico, who is head coach of the club.
Goa finished the inaugural season of the ISL second in the table before being knocked out in the semi-finals on penalties by eventual winners Atletico de Kolkata.
Guendogan might stay at Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Ilkay Guendogan, who was set to leave the German club this summer, could stay on under new coach Thomas Tuchel.
Germany international Guendogan had said in April he would not be renewing his contract that runs out in 2016 and was said to be in talks with a number of clubs for an immediate transfer .
“This is an option again,” his agent Ilhan Guendogan said when asked about a potential u-turn by the player to stay at Dortmund.
“There are several things in favour of Ilkay to return to his old level and doing that in a familiar, comfortable environment.”
Forget about my Juve links – Sousa
Paulo Sousa has urged Fiorentina supporters to forget his past with bitter rivals Juventus after he was officially unveiled as their new coach on Monday.
Sousa played for Juventus for two seasons during the mid-nineties, helping the Bianconeri win the Champions League in 1996, and his appointment as Fiorentina coach on Sunday was subsequently met with criticism by some La Viola fans.
But Sousa has vowed to win over the doubters by helping the Tuscan club challenge for honours in the coming years.
“I understand some fans remember me for being at Juventus but I want them to remember me for the work I do in Florence, and for achieving excellent results,” the 44-year-old said.
Lingard wants to prove himself
Jesse Lingard is determined to prove his worth for Man. United after injury robbed him of the chance to impress Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal handed Lingard his debut in United’s opening game of the campaign against Swansea, only for his afternoon to be cut short by an Ashley Williams tackle.
When the winger returned to the field six months later it was on loan at Derby in the Championship, making him all the more determined to prove his worth.
“I’m looking to stay at Man. United and get some games under my belt there,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to play for Man. United and that’s still my ambition.”
Cech’s Arsenaldeal not done yet
Petr Cech has moved to play down reports that a deal had already been struck with Arsenal over a proposed £11 million transfer from Chelsea, as talks continued over the keeper’s future.
The Gunners are said to be close to a deal for the Czech stopper, who would prefer to keep his family in London as he seeks a move away from the English champions in search of regular football.
Last night it was reported a deal had been agreed between Chelsea and Arsenal for Cech.
Cech himself later retweeted a message from his management company The Sports PR Company indicating nothing was yet set in stone.
The tweet read: “@SportsPRCompany ... as we told you, No transfer deal has been done yet for @PetrCech – as soon as any news @PetrCech will confirm.”
Southampton sign keeper Stekelenburg
Dutch international goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg joined Premier League Southampton on a year’s loan from Fulham, the south coast club said.
“Maarten is a goalkeeper with a wealth of top-level experience who will prove to be an important addition to the squad at this early stage of pre-season,” Executive Director of Football Les Reed said in a club statement.
“Maarten enjoyed tremendous success in Holland with Ajax and on the international stage, playing in the 2010 World Cup final.
“His experience will be invaluable to us, especially with the arrival of European football.”
Rivaldo ponders comeback at 43
World Cup winner Rivaldo is considering coming out of retirement at the age of 43 to help pull struggling Mogi Mirim off the bottom of the Brazilian second division.
Rivaldo, who is president of the provincial club, said he would train regularly with the squad and might play in some matches.
Mogi Mirim have taken only three points from their opening eight games in the Brazilian Serie B and have failed to win a match.
“Once again, I will sacrifice my family for the good of the club but I hope to see our team in a more worthy situation in the competition,” he said.
“I stopped played professionally 15 months ago but, if my knee is okay, I could help in some games, but that is something the training sessions will help me decide.”