Evans: Ched Evans made his return to football after scoring in Chesterfield’s 3-0 friendly win at Ilkeston yesterday. The 27-year-old striker joined the Spireites on a 12-month deal in June just months before he faces a re-trial charged with rape. He played 59 minutes of the League One club’s victory, netting on 53 minutes, having also set up Ritchie Humphreys’s opener.
Pinzi: Veteran Italian midfielder Giampiero Pinzi has terminated his contract with Serie A club Chievo by mutual consent. The 35-year-old’s contract was set to run until the end of next season. Pinzi, who started his career at the Lazio academy, joined Udinese in 1999 and moved between Chievo and the northeastern club for the rest of his career.
Mak: Mircea Lucescu has made his first signing as coach of Zenit St Petersburg after concluding a deal for Slovakia winger Robert Mak, the Russian club said. The 25-year-old, who has scored seven goals in 29 internationals, signed a contract until 2020. No transfer fee details were disclosed. Mak was part of Manchester City’s academy before moving to Nuremberg and PAOK. Zenit finished third in the championship last season under Andre Villas-Boas.
Andone: Deportivo La Coruna have reached an agreement to sign Romania forward Florin Andone from Cordoba, subject to a medical. The 23-year-old will arrive in the Galician city tomorrow and undergo his medical the following morning at the HM Modelo hospital. Andone played for his country at Euro 2016, impressing in their opening game against hosts France before being restricted to substitute appearances in their other two group matches.
Gunners draw: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a brilliant chip as Arsenal kicked off their pre-season friendlies with a 1-1 draw against Lens late Friday. Arsene Wenger was missing those involved in Euro 2016 and Copa America but could still name the likes of Theo Walcott, Per Mertesacker, Alex Iwobi, Mohamed Elneny and Nacho Monreal at the Stade Felix-Bollaert Delelis. The Gunners head across the Atlantic next and will face an MLS All-Stars XI on Friday.