Bento: Greek giants Olympiakos Piraeus have appointed Paulo Bento as coach after sacking Victor Sanchez, the Super League champions said yesterday. The 47-year-old former Portugal manager, who led his country from 2010 to 2014, became the team’s third coach in just two months after fellow countryman Marco Silva and Spaniard Sanchez. Contract details were not disclosed but local media reported that Bento had signed a two-year deal.
Baston: Swansea City have broken their transfer record by signing Spanish striker Borja Baston from Atletico Madrid for £15.5 million. Borja’s fee eclipses the £12 million Swansea spent on acquiring Wilfried Bony from Vitesse Arnhem in 2013. “The 23-year-old, who will wear squad number 10, has penned a four-year deal after undergoing a successful medical,” Swansea announced on their official website.
Aarons: Rolando Aarons has signed a new five-year contract with Newcastle. The 20-year-old winger has pledged his future to the St James’ Park club until 2021, in a boost to the Tynesiders as they get to grips with life in the Championship. Newcastle were hit with the full realities of life outside the Premier League by losing their opening Championship clash 1-0 at Fulham last week.
Betfred Cup: Celtic and Rangers will both play at home in the quarter-finals of the Betfred Cup following their respective 5-0 victories in the second round. Brendan Rodgers’s Hoops, who thrashed Motherwell on Wednesday, have been drawn against League One side Alloa, while Rangers will host Championship club Queen of the South after comfortably seeing off Peterhead. The only all-Premiership match of the last eight sees St Johnstone travel to Aberdeen.
Cahill: Australia’s record goal scorer Tim Cahill has signed for Melbourne City FC, a move that will see him play in the country’s domestic A-League competition for the first time. Cahill, who has won 91 caps for Australia and is the country’s record goal scorer with 47, has signed a three-year contract with Melbourne City. Cahill, 36, previously played for Shanghai Shenhua, MLS side New York Red Bulls, Everton and Millwall.