Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has signed a new six-year contract at Anfield.
The 27-year-old has been in outstanding form this season and one of the club's most consistent performers since his arrival from Villarreal in 2005.
The new agreement, which replaces Reina's previous contract, commits the Spaniard to the club until 2016 and could extend his spell on Merseyside to 11 years.
Reina said: "I'm delighted to sign a new contract.
"It's probably the best news of my life that I'll be here for the next six years. Me and my family are really happy here."
Bruce rules out bid for Pepe
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has dismissed speculation he could make a £15 million bid for Italy winger Simone Pepe.
Reports have suggested the Black Cats could attempt to lure the Udinese midfielder to Wearside with a club record offer this summer.
However, Bruce said: "Where that one has come from, I don't know.
"I can't envisage me paying £15 million for an Italian winger. That's a bit wide of the mark."
Meanwhile, Bruce has confirmed that midfielder Bolo Zenden has been offered another year's contract at the Stadium of Light.
United boss still trusts Berbatov
Alex Ferguson insists he still trusts Dimitar Berbatov.
The £30.75m Bulgarian was left on the bench for Manchester United's clash with Bayern Munich and remained there until 10 minutes from time.
It has raised inevitable questions over Berbatov's Old Trafford future, even if United would have to take a massive loss on the club record fee it cost to sign the 29-year-old from Tottenham in 2008.
Yet Ferguson apparently has no concerns about Berbatov's overall contribution.
"Yes, I still trust him," said Ferguson.
"He is a good player and there is absolutely no reason why we should doubt that.
"Dimitar has done well in a lot of games recently but we prefer to play with one striker."
Fowler heading to Sydney FC
Liverpool great Robbie Fowler is expected to become the new marquee player for Australian A-League champions Sydney FC.
The playing future of Fowler, 35, has been thrown open in the wake of North Queensland Fury's financial restructuring.
Reports said the Townsville-based Fury in Queensland's tropical north were no longer in a position to meet his wages, believed to be about $695,000 (US) per season.
Reports said Sydney FC officially approached Fowler on Thursday to replace ex-Australia international John Aloisi as their new marquee player for next season.
Pirlo plays down Milan title hopes
Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo (picture) has played down third-placed Milan's chances of closing a three-point gap on leaders Inter to win the Serie A title.
"Now there are six matches to play and we will try to win them," Pirlo told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"But three points are not a small number to make up."
Pirlo also admitted he won't be supporting city rivals Inter against Barcelona.
"I have cheered Inter on until this point because they were the only Italian side left in Europe and we needed some coefficient ranking points," he said.
"However, they have now brought us a few points and we can relax if they go out in the next stage."
Valencia slam extra match officials
Valencia questioned the logic of having extra match officials in the Europa League after being denied a late penalty in their quarter-final second leg away to Atletico Madrid.
With four minutes remaining at the Calderon on Thursday, Valencia substitute Nikola Zigic was left with a torn shirt after being pulled back by Atletico defender Juanito as he went for a header at goal.
The Serbian striker's team-mates surrounded German referee Florian Meyer to protest but were waved away, and their coach Unai Emery was sent to the stands to watch the rest of the 0-0 draw, which saw Valencia go out on away goals.
"You have all seen it. When you decide to have extra officials it is so this type of incident doesn't happen," Emery said.
Club president saves player's life
Slavia Sofia president Ventsislav Stefanov ran onto the field to save the life of one of his players who collapsed and swallowed his tongue during a Bulgarian junior league match.
Slavia player Radomir Nikov was left unconscious following a challenge from Zhivko Atanasov, which the referee did not stop play for, during the 1-0 win over city rivals Levski Sofia on Thursday.
"I saw our lad collapsing and I needed no permission from the match officials to rush onto the pitch and help him," Stefanov said.
"But in a moment like this I would do the same for anyone, not only for a Slavia player."