Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin, 29, is thrilled to have signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
The Uruguay captain has been a pivotal player for the Rojiblancos since joining the club five years ago from Villarreal.
He was linked with a big money move from Manchester City and Chelsea this summer but has been rewarded by Atletico with an improved deal.
Godin tweeted: “I’m happy and proud to continue to be a part of this great family that is Atletico. Thanks to everyone!”
At Atletico, the former Villarreal star has won a Primera Liga title, Copa del Rey, Europa Lea-gue, two European Super Cups and a Spanish Super Cup.
Luxemburgo mishap
Cruzeiro coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has broken his left hand after being knocked over by an opposing team player during a match at Palmeiras.
Palmeiras forward Dudu accidentally crashed into Luxemburgo in a Copa Brasil match after being tackled and knocked the former Real Madrid and Brazil coach to the ground.
The incident was notable for the reaction from Palmeiras fans, who celebrated wildly as if their team had scored a goal.
The fans have a love-hate relationship with Luxemburgo, who has had four stints at the club.
Sandro joins Juve
Juventus have signed Brazil left-back Alex Sandro from Porto on a five-year contract for a transfer fee of 26 million euros.
The fee for the 24-year-old, who played six times for Brazil, will be paid over three years.
Alex Sandro made 137 appearances for Porto, scoring three goals, and won two league titles and two Portuguese Super Cups.
Juve, who claimed the Italian league and cup double last season but lost to Barcelona in the Champions League final, begin their Serie A campaign at home to Udinese tomorrow.
Brazil’s soccer boss under close scrutiny
Senators conducting a special inquiry into possible corruption inside the Brazilian Football Confederation agreed to probe the financial records of its president Marco Polo Del Nero.
The move marks a new front in Brazil’s attempt to clean up its national game at the highest level, at the same time as FIFA faces US corruption charges.
Romario, Brazil’s World Cup-winning former striker who is a senator and leads the congressional inquiry, said the move was crucial for Brazil to clear up what he called “suspicions” about Del Nero’s conduct as head of the confederation.
Members of the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission voted unanimously to probe Del Nero’s bank statements and tax returns.
Pisa will start leaning on Gattuso
Former Italy and Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed coach of third division Pisa, the club said in a statement.
The 37-year-old, a notoriously hard tackler during his playing days, has so far struggled to get his coaching career off the ground with short stints at Sion, Palermo and OFI Crete.
Gattuso’s most recent spell was at Crete where his seven months at the helm included an extra-ordinary news conference in broken English during which he swore and banged his fist on the table.
His only coaching experience in Italy was at the start of the 2013-14 season when he was in charge of Palermo, then in Serie B, but was fired after six games.
Liverpool open talks with Sakho
Liverpool have opened talks with Mamadou Sakho over a new contract, signalling their intention to keep the France defender on Merseyside despite manager Brendan Rodgers leaving him out of the squad for the first two games of the season.
The club have reportedly re-jected interest in the 25-year-old centre-back from both Roma and Bayer Leverkusen over the past week, even though Rodgers has opted for Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel as his first choice defensive pairing.
Sakho’s current deal runs until 2017 and he will be offered a new five-year contract on improved terms, according to media reports.
Liverpool bought Sakho from French champions Paris Saint-Germain for a reported £18 million in 2013.
Leverkusen signing Aranguiz injured
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz, who signed for the Bundesliga club only last week, has torn the Achilles tendon in his left foot and will be out for “many months”, the club said yesterday.
The 26-year-old Chile international, who won the Copa America with the national team last month, had joined for a reported 12 million euros on a five-year deal.
He will now undergo surgery next week for the injury sustained during an evening training session on Thursday, Leverkusen said, estimating he will be missing for several months.