Watford have signed Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga from Napoli on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent, the Premier League club said on their website.
The 30-year-old, who can play at right- or left-back, joined Napoli for €8.5 million from Siena in 2009 and played 163 games for the Serie A side, including a four-year spell under Watford manager Walter Mazzarri.
Zuniga has made 62 appearances for Colombia, including four games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Gerrard strike earns LA Galaxy victory
Steven Gerrard’s third goal of the season secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Los Angeles Galaxy against Houston Dynamo.
The midfielder struck in the 66th minute as Los Angeles preserved their unbeaten home record at the expense of the Western Conference’s bottom club.
After Robbie Keane was denied by Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis, the loose ball fell kindly for Gerrard just inside the area and the former England captain tucked his shot into the net.
Dynamo’s striker Erick Torres forced a late save from Brian Rowe as Houston’s winless run away from home stretched to 11 games.
Giaccherini finalises move to Napoli
Emanuele Giaccherini has called time on his career with Sunderland by signing for Serie A club Napoli on a three-year contract.
The 31-year-old winger joined the Black Cats from Juventus in July 2013 but failed to cement a first-team place at the Stadium of Light and he duly returned to Italy on a season-long loan with Bologna for the 2015-16 campaign.
His impressive performances for Italy at Euro 2016 have convinced last year’s Scudetto runners-up Napoli to recruit him for a reported £2 million fee.
Upon his arrival in Naples, Giaccherini told sscnapoli.it: “I’ve joined a prestigious club and I’m very happy to pull on this shirt. I can’t wait for my adventure with Napoli to begin. Playing at San Paolo will be fantastic.”
Palermo’s Vazquez on his way to Sevilla
Sevilla have reached agreement with Serie A club Palermo for the transfer of Franco Vazquez, pending a medical.
The Spanish club confirmed the deal in a statement, adding that Vazquez has agreed a five-year contract.
The paperwork will be completed after he undergoes a medical.
Reports claim that the transfer will cost around €15m plus bonuses. Vazquez, who was under contract with Palermo until June 2019, has already travelled to Florida to meet his new team-mates and medical staff.
Nani looks to spark success at Valencia
Nani, who was recently crowned European champion with Portugal, wants to help bring the good times back to new club Valencia.
The Spanish side struggled this past season and ended the La Liga campaign with just 44 points and in 12th place, their worst finish in three decades.
Valencia have paid Fenerbahce Nani’s €8.5 million buyout clause and he has moved to Spain on a three-year deal, just 12 months after leaving Manchester United.
“People think that when you win an important championship, you relax,” Nani said at his unveiling at the Mestalla stadium, which was attended by 12,000 fans.
“But that is not my thinking. I’m very eager. This is a big club, with great fans. I want to be a part of this great club.”
Juve to renew interest in Chelsea’s Matic
Confirmation of N’Golo Kante’s move to Chelsea from Leicester City is likely to prompt Juventus to make another bid for midfielder Nemanja Matic.
According to ESPN, Juventus had made an approach for Matic before this summer but were told no sale would be made until a replacement had been secured.
With Kante now officially a Chelsea player, Matic is believed to be surplus to requirements for new coach Antonio Conte.
Juventus could sign the 27-year-old Serbian for around €18 million, according to reports.
Milan make Konko approach, says agent
The agent of Abdoulay Konko has confirmed that he is in talks with Milan.
The 32-year-old right-back is a free agent after his five-year contract with Lazio expired.
“Both Abdoulay and I are stunned that Lazio didn’t even offer a contract renewal after his more than positive performances last season,” agent Daniele Conte told IlMilanista.it.
“We really cannot understand why the Biancocelesti directors did not even put forward the proposal of staying.
“Milan are a good option and there are another three Serie A sides interested, so we are evaluating what to do next.”