Almeria: Almeria secured the third and final La Liga promotion berth when a 3-0 stroll at home to Girona last night in the return leg of their second-division play-off final sealed a 4-0 aggregate win. Midfielder Aleix Vidal fired inside the near post to put Almeria ahead in the 17th minute. Charles struck a second for the Andalusians seven minutes after half-time and put the tie beyond Girona when he made it 3-0 in the 70th minute.

Phillips: Kevin Phillips hopes he can agree a new deal with Crystal Palace to return to the Premier League next season. The veteran striker, who turns 40 in July, is a free agent after spending the end of last season on loan at Selhurst Park from Blackpool.

Dynamo Kiev: Dynamo Kiev signed Congo striker Dieumerci Mbokani from Anderlecht yesterday. The 27-year-old’s arrival follows that of Netherlands forward Jeremain Lens, who has agreed a four-year deal with the Ukrainian side after leaving PSV Eindhoven. Mbokani scored 34 goals in 53 games for Anderlecht in the last two seasons as they won successive Belgian league titles.

Holman: Australia midfielder Brett Holman has left Aston Villa after one season and is preparing to join Al Nasr in the United Arab Emirates, the clubs said yesterday. “The club can confirm that Brett Holman’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent,” Villa said on their website.

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