Serie A: Reports in Italy are suggesting that the 2012-13 cam-paign will start on the weekend of August 25-26. It was thought that the new championship would begin on August 19 to give Italian clubs a better chance in Europe. However, Corriere dello Sport is now claiming that the season will kick off the week after.

Ooijer: Former Blackburn Rovers defender Andre Ooijer announced yesterday he will retire at the end of the season, when he hopes to finish as a league champion with current club Ajax. Ooijer, who made 79 appearances in three seasons for Blackburn, said: “It’s become apparent to me in recent months that I just won’t have the tools necessary to start a new season. I hope to finish this one with a league winners’ medal.”

Kyle: Kevin Kyle, 30, has left Hearts after agreeing to an early termination of his contract. The former Sunderland striker, whose current deal was due to expire at the end of the season, is sidelined following hip surgery.

Juventus: Title-seekers Juventus are likely to have defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Martin Caceres available for the trip to Fiorentina this weekend after recovering from injury. Chiellini has been out of action since March 3 while Caceres picked up a slight knee twist in the 0-0 draw at Genoa on Sunday.

Boyd: Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd scored on his MLS debut as Portland Timbers came from be-hind to claim a 3-1 win over Phila-delphia Union in their first match of the season on Monday. Boyd put the Timbers 2-1 ahead with a near-post header in the 66th minute before Khalif Alhassan padded the lead 10 minutes later.

Taylor: Millwall have signed Leeds goalkeeper Maik Taylor on loan until the end of the season. The 40-year-old Northern Ireland international was signed by former manager Simon Grayson on a short-term deal in December. But the former Birmingham goalkeeper is yet to make a senior appearance for the Whites and looked unlikely to remove in-form Andy Lonergan.