Europa League champions Sevilla are poised to sign Ukraine winger Yevhen Konoplyanka from Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk as they look to strengthen their forward line for next season’s Champions League.
An agreement had been struck with the 25-year-old, who was in the Dnipro side that lost 3-2 to the Spanish side in May’s Europa League final, pending a medical and a deal with his club.
Sevilla did not disclose terms but Spanish media reported Konoplyanka was out of contract with Dnipro at the end of last month and had agreed a four-year deal.
Anelka takes over at India’s Mumbai
Former France and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka will return to Mumbai City FC as the team’s marquee player-manager for the second season of the Indian Super League (ISL).
The 36-year-old, who scored two goals for Mumbai in the inaugural edition of the eight-team league last year, took on a similar dual role in 2012 for Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
“I would like to say thank you to the Mumbai City FC staff for giving me the opportunity to coach the club,” Anelka said.
“We are all very excited to start this new season. I’m personally very eager to take on this new role for the club and put a strong competitive team on the pitch.”
Little bird predicts Japan victory
The United States will be left as sick as a parrot after tomorrow’s Women’s World Cup final against Japan, according to the latest soccer psychic from the animal kingdom.
Olivia, a 10-year-old grey parrot, has been impressing visitors at her enclosure in Tochigi Prefecture by perfectly predicting all six victories for Japan during the defence of their Women’s World Cup title in Canada.
Yesterday, perched on a tiny stage adorned with artificial grass, she shunned the stars and stripes and swiftly picked up the Japanese flag with her beak and gave it to her keeper to indicate who would win the showdown in Vancouver.
Tommasi comes out of retirement
Former Italy midfielder Damiano Tommasi came out of retirement at the age of 41 when he played for San Marino’s La Fiorita at home to FC Vaduz in the Europa League on Thursday.
Tommasi, who retired six seasons ago and is the Italian Footballers Association chief, played 90 minutes although he was unable to prevent his side from slumping to a 5-0 home defeat against the Liechtenstein Cup winners.
Tommasi said last week that he wanted his children to have the chance to see him playing in international competition and he wanted to “add a beautiful chapter to my footballing career.”
Nani to have medical with Fenerbahce
Portugal winger Nani is set to join Fenerbahce from Manchester United with the Turkish club saying negotiations were underway and he will be in Istanbul tomorrow for a medical.
“Fenerbahce has begun talks with Luis Nani and his club Manchester United to transfer the player,” the Turkish league runners-up said.
The 28-year-old joined United in 2007 from Sporting Lisbon, where he spent last season on loan scoring 11 goals. He has been told he is not part of United manager Louis van Gaal‘s plans.
Veteran Gudjohnsen makes China switch
Iceland‘s former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen has joined the growing ranks of internationals moving to the Chinese Super League.
The 36-year-old, who played last season at English second tier side Bolton Wanderers, signed a deal with mid-table Shijiazhuang Ever Bright, the Xinhua news agency reported yesterday.
Ever Bright are eighth in the standings in their first season in the Chinese top flight.
Chinese Super League clubs have flexed their financial muscle in recent days with Guangzhou Evergrande paying $15 million for Brazil midfielder Paulinho, while Shanghai Shenhua laid out a similar fee for Senegal striker Demba Ba.
Obi leaves Inter to join Torino
Torino have acquired Nigerian international Joel Obi from Inter on a permanent transfer, the Turin outfit have announced.
The 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year deal and joins the Granata in a reported €2.4 million transfer fee.
A statement from Torino read: “Joel Obi has completed a medical before signing a four-year deal to join Torino on a permanent transfer from Inter.
“Obi will be join his new team in pre-season training on July 8.”
A youth product of Inter, Obi made 71 appearances for the Nerazzurri since breaking into the first team in 2010.
Obi spent the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Parma before returning to Inter where he made 11 Serie A appearances this past season.