Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar has signed a two-year deal with Rangers, the Scottish Premiership side announced yesterday.
The 31-year-old, who was a free agent after a short spell with American club New York Cosmos, will be manager Mark Warburton’s sixth signing ahead of the 2016-17 season as Rangers return to the Scottish top-flight after four years in the lower divisions.
“We are delighted to secure a player of Niko’s undoubted qualities and very much look forward to welcoming him to the club,” manager Warburton told the club’s website.
Race for Euro glory wide open – Cahill
The race for European Championship glory is wide open and no team will run away with the title, England defender Gary Cahill has said.
England, who have struggled to break down defences and finished second in Group B a point behind table toppers Wales, face Iceland in the round of 16 in Nice on Monday.
“There are certainly teams that have impressed me, but I do think it’s wide open,” Cahill told reporters in France.
“You see the French, Spanish and Germans who are always there, but is there one team that is going to run away with it? I don’t think there is.”
Petrov to return to training with Villa
Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov is to return to training with the club at the age of 37, four years after retiring following a diagnosis of acute leukaemia.
Fans’ favourite Petrov, who played more than 200 times for Villa and earned more than 100 caps for Bulgaria, has recovered and last month said he wanted to resume his career.
“Aston Villa FC is pleased to confirm Stiliyan Petrov will take part in pre-season training at first-team level,” a club statement said.
Petrov posted a photo of himself looking fit and healthy on Twitter recently, saying “getting fit is hard work but nothing is impossible”.
UEFA changes leave Hearts frustrated
Hearts have appealed for clearer communication from UEFA after suffering two fixture changes for their opening Europa League game.
The club welcomed being away in their first leg against Estonian side Infonet before the June 30 clash was switched to Tynecastle hours after Monday’s draw.
And the second leg was moved forward 24 hours the following day, affecting fans who had moved quickly to book flights and accommodation.
A Hearts statement read: “No further communication was received from UEFA to the club prior to them issuing their finalised list of fixtures, which showed that a further change had in fact been made, moving our away leg from Thursday 7th to Wednesday 6th.”
Griezmann extends Atletico contract
Influential forward Antoine Griezmann has extended his contract with Atletico Madrid by one more season, which will keep him at the club until 2021, the La Liga side said yesterday.
The 25-year-old, who joined the club from Real Sociedad in 2014, has flourished under manager Diego Simeone, scoring more than 50 goals in his two seasons at the Vicente Calderon.
“I’m very satisfied, very happy to keep belonging to this family and this project,” the France international said on the club’s website.
“I want to improve every year, and the club, the coaches and my team-mates can help me to reach this goal.”
Elmohamady stays with Hull City
Hull winger Ahmed Elmohamady has signed a new three-year deal with the newly-promoted Premier League club, subject to a renewed work permit.
The Egypt international, 28, linked with a host of top-flight clubs at the end of last season, was out of contract this summer but will now embark on his fifth season at the KC Stadium back in the top flight after the Tigers’ play-off final victory in May.
“I’m delighted and pleased to be here for another three years,” Elmohamady told the club’s official website.
“I’ve been here for four years now and it has been a great four years. My mind is now on the next three years with this club and the fans, and the big challenge ahead.”
Viola demand cash from Roma for Badelj
Roma are keen to sign Milan Badelj but Fiorentina are reportedly holding firm over the terms of the transfer.
Coach Luciano Spalletti sees the 27-year-old Croatian midfielder as the ideal replacement after the loss of Miralem Pjanic who has joined Juventus.
However, the fractious relationship between Roma and Fiorentina, following the controversy surrounding the transfer of Mohamed Salah, is complicating matters for the capital club.
Reports suggest that Fioren-tina are not willing to consider a loan agreement for Badelj and are pushing for a cash deal.