Former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister has been appointed the club’s first team coach as part of manager Brendan Rodgers’ new coaching staff.
The 50-year-old won the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and the League Cup in 2001 during two seasons as a player at Anfield and has since managed Leeds and Coventry.
“Gary has a special connection with this club and its supporters, and I’m delighted he is joining our team as first-team coach,” Rodgers said.
“He has experience coaching at the highest level and is someone who can connect with players and help them learn from his knowledge and understanding of representing this great club.”
Newcastle bring in Wijnaldum
Newcastle United have completed the signing of Netherlands playmaker Georginio Wijnaldum from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
Wijnaldum, 24, arrives at St James’ Park on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee though Newcastle said it represented their third highest transfer fee after deals involving former England striker Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.
Wijnaldum made 152 appearance, scoring 56 goals, for PSV.
“I’m delighted to be a Newcastle United player,” he said.
“I felt the time was right for me to move and the club have shown they really want me, so I’m very happy to be here.”
Injury postpones Lampard’s debut
English midfielder Frank Lampard will have to wait to make his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut after he was ruled out of New York City FC’s match against Toronto FC today with a calf strain.
Lampard, 37, signed for the newest MLS franchise from Chelsea in July 2014 but spent last season on loan at Man. City.
The 106-cap England international arrived in America following his Premier League commitments with City but will have to wait to make his US bow after the injury during training.
“I’m hugely disappointed to be missing out on Sunday’s game, which I have been really looking forward to,” Lampard said.
“The good news is that I should be back in training next week.”
Glen Johnson set for Stoke City transfer
Stoke look set to announce the signing of former Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson as they continue their recruitment drive.
No deal has been officially confirmed but Stoke boss Mark Hughes admitted yesterday that the 30-year-old England international’s experience would be a valuable addition to the squad.
Hughes said: “Glen’s a very experienced player, we obviously feel that the qualities that he has will help us.”
Johnson’s capture would follow the arrivals of Shay Given, Marco van Ginkel, Joselu, Philipp Wollscheid and Jakob Haugaard.
Inter land Biabiany
Inter have signed former Parma midfielder Jonathan Biabiany on a four-year contract, the Serie A side have announced.
Biabiany, who began his career with Inter eight years ago, has put pen to paper on a deal that will see him remain at the San Siro until the summer of 2019.
“Inter are pleased to announce that French forward Jonathan Biabiany has signed a four-year contract with the club,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
Biabiany appeared on the brink of moving to Inter’s city rivals Milan last summer until a heart issue put paid to any potential transfer.
Aston Villa sign midfielder Gueye
Aston Villa have signed Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye on a four-year contract.
Manager Tim Sherwood said the 25-year-old, who has 24 Senegal caps, had been one of the best midfielders in France in the last couple of years.
“I’m really pleased to have brought Idrissa on board,” he told avfc.co.uk.
“He’s been one of the best young midfielders in France for the last few seasons and there were a lot of teams trying to sign him this summer.
“I believe we are signing a player who is hungry to succeed, is entering what should be his best years and is perfectly suited to the Premier League.”
Adidas CEO favours Platini for FIFA post
Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer said he favoured European football chief Michel Platini to succeed embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter, according to a German magazine.
FIFA was thrown into turmoil after 14 sports marketing executives and football officials, including several from Zurich-based FIFA, were indicted by the United States in late May on bribery, money laundering and wire fraud charges.
Blatter has said he would step down as FIFA’s president after an election that is likely to happen later this year or early next.
“To me, Platini is the most suitable candidate,” German weekly magazine Focus quoted Adidas CEO Hainer as saying.
“During his two terms, he has done a really good job.”