Tugay: Tugay Kerimoglu is hopeful of signing a new deal with Blackburn Rovers to end his career at Ewood Park. The 36-year-old's current contract expires at the end of the season and he could leave for nothing in the summer. Rovers boss Mark Hughes has indicated that he wants to keep Tugay at Ewood Park and the Turkish midfield schemer plans talks over his future in January. "Ideally I would like to finish my career with Blackburn," said Tugay. "I've played with only three clubs and have been very happy here. I hope things will be resolved in January."

Caracciolo: Palermo have admitted Andrea Caracciolo could join Roma in January. Caracciolo's future has been the subject of intense speculation for some time as he has failed to hold down a regular place at Palermo. Palermo's sports director Rino Foschi has hinted a deal could be in the offing. "Caracciolo to Roma in January is not an unrealistic idea," he said. "Caracciolo is a forward of great value but we already have Amauri, who has been in the team, and we believe in him."

Lopez dies: Former Barcelona and Real Zaragoza player Sergi Lopez fell under a train in Barcelona and died on Saturday aged 39. Reports said Lopez had just returned from Argentina where he lived and had been having psychiatric treatment for personal problems. The older brother of Monaco player Gerard, he was a member of the Barcelona sides that won the King's Cup in 1988 and 1990, the European Cup Winners Cup in 1989, and the Primera Liga title in 1991.

Bate Borisov: BATE Borisov clinched the Belarus title and a league and cup double on Saturday despite losing 3-2 at last year's champions Shakhtyor Soligorsk on the final day of the season. BATE were declared champions after Dynamo Minsk were held to a 0-0 draw at Dynamo Brest in the later match, played in a heavy snowstorm. The win would have given Dynamo Minsk 54 points and a share of first place, forcing a one-off "golden match" against BATE. It was BATE's third league title and their first since 2002. The club from Borisov, an industrial town just east of the Belarus capital Minsk, beat Shakhtyor Soligorsk 3-1 in the cup final in May.

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