Marseille have completed the signing of Japanese defender Hiroki Sakai, the Ligue 1 club announced on their website.
The 26-year-old was a free agent after his contract expired at Hannover 96, who were relegated from the Bundesliga last season.
“This is a big club for me. I am delighted,” said Sakai, who made 96 appearances during his four seasons at the German club.
“I can’t wait for the first training session,” he told the club’s website.
Sakai has 27 caps for Japan and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2012 London Olympics tournament.
Wanyama seals switch to Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Southampton’s defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama on a five-year deal, the Premier League side said.
The move reunites the hard-tackling Kenyan with former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine who took over at White Hart Lane in May 2014, as Spurs’ first signing of the close season.
No financial details were given by the club, who secured a place in the Champions League by finishing third last season, but British media put the deal at £11 million.
“The midfielder has agreed a contract with the Club until 2021,” Spurs said on their website.
Milan finalise Lapadula signing
Milan have signed prolific Pescara striker Gianluca Lapadula on a five-year contract.
The 26-year-old, who scored 30 goals in 44 Serie B appearances as Pescara won promotion last season, had been linked with Juventus, Napoli and Genoa, as well as Premier League winners Leicester, but a statement on Milan’s website announced his arrival at San Siro.
Turin-born Lapadula is reported to have cost Milan €9 million plus add-ons.
A club statement said: “All of us hope that Lapadula can enjoy the best years of his career here, and because of his spirit and enthusiasm we have tied the player to a contract running to June 30 2021.”
Hull hand Jakupovic new two-year deal
Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic has signed a fresh two-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League club.
Jakupovic, 31, appeared in both the semi-final and final of the Championship play-offs at the end of the season as cover for the injured Allan McGregor.
Hull beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in the Wembley final to secure promotion to the top flight for the second time in four seasons.
“Eldin Jakupovic has extended his stay at the KCOM Stadium for a further two years after agreeing terms on a new deal,” the club said in a statement.
Hiddink willing to help Russia
Guus Hiddink, who led Russia to the 2008 European Championship semi-finals, said he would be happy to return to his former side as they look to put the misery of an early Euro 2016 exit behind them and prepare for the World Cup in two years’ time.
“If I can make a contribution, I’ll will be happy to do so,” Hiddink, who took on the role of interim Chelsea manager after Jose Mourinho’s sacking last season, told Dutch broadcaster NOS.
“Russia sit in a particularly complicated situation, not only in the sporting arena but also in terms of their image. Sport can help them, although it is perhaps my idealistic thinking, to project a better image out to the world.”
Celtic keep hold of promising Tierney
Celtic have secured highly-rated young left-back Kieran Tierney on a five-year contract, the Scottish champions have announced.
The likes of Liverpool and Arsenal had been linked with the 19-year-old after his extraordinary breakthrough season in the Celtic first team. But new manager Brendan Rodgers has moved quickly to tie the Scotland international to a longer deal.
Tierney made 34 appearances last season, displacing Emilio Izaguirre as first-choice left-back, and made his Scotland debut against Denmark in March, bypassing the under-21s.
Rodgers this week predicted Tierney would be a “top player” as he revealed Celtic were aiming to extend his contract.
Spurs bid for Janssen rejected
Tottenham Hotspur have had a bid for the Netherlands international Vincent Janssen turned down, his Dutch club AZ Alkmaar said yesterday.
“The difference between the offer and the price we demand was too big,” AZ’s technical director Max Huiberts told the De Telegraaf newspaper.
The club want €20 million for the 22-year-old forward, who finished his first top-flight season as the highest scorer in the Dutch league, but Spurs had only offered €14 million, the newspaper said.
Janssen had visited London with his agent but had also been to VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga for discussions, Huiberts added.