Adidas will pay between €65 million and €70 million a year to extend its sponsorship deal with the German football association (DFB), Sport Bild reported yesterday.
The German sportswear company, which declined to comment on the report, currently pays around €25 million a year to supply the world champions but faced competition from US rival Nike for the contract.
Under the new sponsorship agreement, Adidas will continue to provide the outfit for national teams for four years from 2019, the newspaper said, citing sources within DFB.
Paloschi leaves Swans for Atalanta
Alberto Paloschi will make a swift return to his homeland after Premier League side Swansea City confirmed yesterday that the striker has agreed to join Italian club Atalanta for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Paloschi, who signed for Swansea from Chievo in January, played a role in helping to steer the Welsh side away from relegation, having scored two goals in 10 league appearances.
The 26-year-old joins fellow striker Eder in leaving the Liberty Stadium as manager Francesco Guidolin seeks to overhaul a squad that flirted with the drop to the second tier last season.
Salvio extends Benfica contract
Argentina winger Eduardo Salvio has signed a new deal with Benfica to keep him tied to the Portuguese champions for the next three seasons.
Salvio, who spent the 2010-11 campaign on loan at Benfica from Atletico Madrid before making his move permanent in July 2012, had one year left on his contract and has extended it for a further two years.
Portuguese media had strongly linked the 26-year-old with a return to Argentina this year while Salvio confirmed last month that Boca Juniors were keen to acquire his services.
Players must obey rules says Di Matteo
New Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo has warned his players to abide by team rules in the Championship .
In Villa’s previous campaign, midfielder Jack Grealish was banished to the Under-21 squad following reports of a visit to a Manchester nightclub hours after a 4-0 loss at Everton in November, missing two Premier League games.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Joleon Lescott also angered fans for playing a game involving chewing gum on the bench as Villa were held to a 1-1 draw by Wycombe in the FA Cup, according to reports.
“We are going to have our rules, our code of conduct and if someone steps outside there are certainly going to be consequences,” Di Matteo said.
‘Brazil’s woes stem from my absence’
Brazil’s failure to claim an Olympic football gold medal, the one major tournament they have never won, is all because Pele never played in the competition, the legendary player joked.
Pele made his comments after receiving an Olympic award in his home town of Santos, pointing out that although Brazil had won the World Cup five times and the Copa America on eight occasions, they never won Olympic gold because he was absent.
“I was joking with my friends saying that Brazil never won an award, because I never played,” the 75-year-old three-time World Cup winner told reporters.
“I joke with my friends, because we really never had a title and this was a chance God gave to me in receiving this honour.”
Boruc stays with Bournemouth
Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc has signed a one-year contract extension with Bournemouth that will keep him at Dean Court until June 2017, the Premier League club announced yesterday.
The 36-year-old made 32 league appearances during the 2015/16 campaign as Bourne-mouth finished 16th in their maiden season in the English top flight.
Earlier this week, Bourne-mouth also extended the services of fellow goalkeeper Adam Federici, who signed a new three-year deal at the club and is expected to vie for the first-choice position with Boruc.
Ibra would shine in any league – Conte
Zlatan Ibrahimovic would thrive in any league in the world according to Italy coach Antonio Conte.
“Zlatan is such a great player that he could play in any league,” Conte said before Italy’s match against Sweden yesterday.
“I see no reason why he wouldn’t make an impact in any league, in any country.”
Conte, who is joining Chelsea after the Euros, has no doubt Ibrahimovic could transfer his dazzling form to England.
The 34-year-old, a free agent after leaving PSG, has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, who are now managed by Jose Mourinho.