Portuguese goalkeeper Mika has joined Sunderland on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Boavista, the Premier League club said.
The 25-year-old arrives at the Stadium of Light following approval from FIFA after the Portuguese club were unable to complete their requirements before the Aug. 31 transfer deadline due to technical issues.
Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper Vito Mannone has been ruled out for around three months due to an elbow injury with Jordan Pickford deputising.
Sunderland host Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
Rodgers talks tactics ahead of Old Firm
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will give his players a tactical “refresher” course ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Rangers.
Rodgers knows that good football will be difficult amid the tension, intensity and atmosphere of the long-awaited Glasgow derby but he wants his players to be as prepared as possible for the game.
Rodgers told Celtic TV: “We have one or two new players coming in, so you have to put in place a refresher in terms of all the work we have done.
“So when all the players come back, we will have a little session on all the things we have been working on over these three months and get them aligned into our way of working.”
Two-goal Kaka inspires Orlando
Kaka scored twice as Orlando City came from behind to beat the 10-man Montreal Impact in MLS.
Didier Drogba’s free-kick gave the Impact the lead in the opening minute of the game but it did not take long for Orlando to hit back as Brek Shea stroked the ball into an empty net.
Kaka put the visitors ahead nine minutes before the break and the Impact were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when goalkeeper Evan Bush brought down Carlos Rivas when clean through.
Kaka converted the resulting penalty and Rivas wrapped up victory.
Munir completes Valencia loan deal
Munir El Haddadi has targeted Champions League football with Valencia after being unveiled to the media following the completion of his season-long loan deal from Barcelona.
Munir has been brought in to replace last season’s top goalscorer Paco Alcacer, who moved in the opposite direction in a €30 million deal last week.
On joining Los Che, the versatile forward told the club’s official website: “When I knew about the offer from Valencia I had no doubts, I am very happy to be here, I have liked Valencia for a long time and I want to give everything for this shirt.”
Payet set to start Watford game – Bilic
Dimitri Payet is set to start his first match of the season when West Ham face Watford tomorrow.
The France midfielder was one of the stars of Euro 2016 but has made just one appearance from the substitutes’ bench for the Hammers so far due to a thigh problem.
“He hasn’t played for us, apart from as a substitute against Chelsea, but he played 45 minutes for France against Italy, and then 35 minutes against Belarus,” said Hammers manager Slaven Bilic.
“He’s going to definitely be in the squad. I’m expecting him to be fit and ready and, if he is, he is going to start the game.”
FIFA fine, social work for Sandrock
FIFA’s ethics watchdog opened proceedings against former German football official Helmut Sandrock after its investigatory chamber recommended he perform social work and pay a 50,000 Swiss franc ($51,652.89) fine for conduct related to the 2006 World Cup.
Since March, FIFA has been investigating Sandrock, German football’s former secretary general, and five others, including Franz Beckenbauer and former German Football Association president Wolfgang Niersbach, over the awarding of hosting rights to Germany for the 2006 World Cup.
In its report, the FIFA ethics committee said the investigatory chamber recommended social work for Sandrock as well as the fine for violations of FIFA rules.
Wilshere has given team a lift, says Howe
Midfielder Jack Wilshere has given Bournemouth’s dressing room a lift and is in contention to make his club debut in tomorrow’s Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion, manager Eddie Howe said yesterday.
Bournemouth completed one of the more unexpected deals of deadline day when they moved for Wilshere on a season-loan from Arsenal.
“He’s settled into the changing room and the dynamics of the group seamlessly,” Howe told reporters. “He has been very bright and good in training.
“We’ll wait and see what my team selection is, but I think he has naturally given the place a lift. There’s been a positive impact around the squad.”