Taylor: Former Newcastle defender Steven Taylor had a tough start to life in the United States, enduring a challenging debut for Portland Timbers reserves against Los Angeles Galaxy II. He diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper after just nine minutes, then saw the hosts run in two more goals for a 3-0 lead. Taylor was substituted after the hour mark and watched on as Portland pulled things round in his absence, sealing a remarkable 4-3 victory in stoppage time.

Vermaelen: Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen has travelled to Italy to undergo a medical with Roma. The Belgium international, who featured for the national side as they reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, joined Barcelona from Arsenal in 2014. The 30-year-old centre-back’s time in Spain has been beset by injuries but he still featured in Barcelona’s title-winning campaigns of 2015 and 2016.

Gutierrez: Colombia’s Olympic team captain Teofilo Gutierrez is joining Rosario Central on loan from Sporting of Portugal, the Argentine and Portuguese clubs announced yesterday. Gutierrez, a 2014 World Cup veteran and one of the over-age players in the Colombian team at the Rio Olympic Games, returns to Argentina having helped River Plate win the league title and Copa Sudamericana in 2014 and previously playing for Racing Club and Lanus.

Llorente: New signing Fernando Llorente was part of Swansea’s starting XI as the Welsh side recorded a 1-0 friendly win over Rennes at the Liberty Stadium. The 31-year-old Spanish striker played for just under an hour and hit the post with one shot in a contest that was settled by a header from substitute Jay Fulton.

Summer Cup final
Sliema Wanderers vs Valletta - 2-0

Friendly matches
Arsenal vs Man. City - 3-2
Mainz vs Liverpool - 4-0
Schalke vs Fiorentina - 3-1
Southampton vs Ath. Bilbao - 1-0
Werder Bremen vs Chelsea - 2-4