French striker David Trezeguet, who left Juventus after a decade with the Turin giants, on Monday night signed a two-year deal with promoted Primera Liga club Hercules Alicante.
The 32-year-old, who arrived in Italy 10 years ago and is the highest scoring foreigner in Juve’s history with 171 goals in 320 matches, made his first appearance with his new team-mates in training yesterday.
Trezeguet – whose wife Beatrice is from Alicante – had one year left on his contract but his departure was on the cards since Juve brought in a variety of attacking players including Fabio Quagliarella, Simone Pepe, Milos Krasic and Jorge Martinez.
He wants to prove “he is still an important player,” the Spanish press reported.
Ferreira retires from internationals
Chelsea full-back Paulo Ferreira announced his international retirement, in a letter sent to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
“It’s with sadness that I report the end of Paulo Ferreira’s time with the national team,” said FPF president Gilberto Madail.
The 31-year-old former Porto player has been at Chelsea since 2004 and said in his letter that his decision had been “taken after deep reflection” and was motivated by “personal reasons”.
Ferreira, who typically plays at right-back but can also operate at left-back, won his first international cap against England in September 2002 and has made 62 appearances for Portugal.
Bradley extends US contract
Bob Bradley is back as head coach of the US team through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. US Soccer announced it had agreed to a four-year contract extension with Bradley. His current contract expires in four months.
In four years of coaching the Americans, Bradley has 38 wins, 20 losses and eight draws.
The US won one game at the 2010 World Cup, beating Algeria 1-0. They were eliminated in the second round, losing 2-1 to Ghana.
“Bob is honoured to be the US coach,” Bradley’s agent Ron Waxman said.
“It’s a job he enjoys very much, and he’s very happy.”
Bent loaned out to Wolves
Birmingham have allowed striker Marcus Bent to join Premier League rivals Wolves on a four-month loan deal. Bent, 32, will boost Wolves’ attacking options following the departure of Andy Keogh to Cardiff on a season-long deal.
“Marcus is an experienced striker who has played plenty of Premier League football and scored goals,” said Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey.
“People still talk about whether we’ve got enough Premier League experience, and Marcus will add to that.
“He’s also a different type of striker to what we have in that he’s a physical presence.”
Ex-Spain striker Morientes retires
Former Spain striker Fernando Morientes is retiring from football and will become a consultant for Spanish television station Telecinco.
“After 17 years of top-level football I want to spend more time with my family,” Morientes said.
Morientes, who spent last season at Marseille, had recently rejected offers from Qatar, Dubai and Sporting Lisbon.
Morientes, 34, will commentate on Europa League matches and Euro 2012 qualifiers. The imposing striker made his name at Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League titles (1998, 2000 and 2002) and two Spanish league titles (2001 and 2003).
Candreva completes Parma switch
Parma have completed the signing of midfielder Antonio Candreva from Udinese on an initial one-year loan deal.
The 23-year-old Italy international has switched allegiances in Serie A after more than three years with Udinese, and Parma will have the option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.
Candreva was shipped out on loan last term and, after six months at Livorno, went on to have a successful spell with Juventus.
However, Juve did not opt to sign the midfielder permanently despite some impressive performances, and Parma have swooped to secure his services.
Hoffenheim swoop for Sigurdsson
Hoffenheim have completed the signing of midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson from English Championship club Reading for a deal worth a reported €7.3 million.
Sigurdsson has signed a four-year contract with the Bundesliga club, before immediately departing to join up with the Iceland squad ahead of Euro 2012 qualifiers against Norway and Denmark.
The 20-year-old scored 16 goals in 32 games for Reading, and Hoffenheim are excited to bring him on board.
“Gylfi Sigurdsson, although only 20 years old, has a great ability to score from midfield and we still see in him huge potential to develop further,” said team manager Ernst Tanner.