Bilic: Slaven Bilic believes compatriot Eduardo Da Silva will prove a shrewd signing by Arsenal. "He's going to be amazing for Arsenal," Croatia coach Bilic told the Daily Star newspaper yesterday. "He's very young and very quick. He's a goalscorer but his game does not just depend on scoring goals. He's a team player and he opens up space for others." Arsenal did not disclose how much they paid Dinamo Zagreb for Da Silva but Croatian media put the fee at 24 million euros ($32.64 million), exactly the sum the Londoners agreed with Barcelona last month for their former captain Thierry Henry.
Dhorasoo: Former French international midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo has signed for Livorno, the Serie A club announced yesterday. The 33-year-old has been out of work since Paris St Germain sacked him at the start of last season in response to an interview in L'Equipe in which he criticised then team coach Guy Lacombe. He already has experience in Serie A, having played for Milan during the 2004-05 season.
Cuper: Betis president Pepe Leon said former Inter and Valencia coach Hector Cuper would coach the Primera Liga side next season despite comments from the Argentine's representative that the agreement was not yet closed. "I'm telling you now, the signing of Cuper is done and in all certainty he will be the Betis coach next season. We just need a document from the Federation but the rest is all signed," Leon said.
Hildebrand: Valencia have agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand from German champions VfB Stuttgart, the Primera Liga club said. The club said Hildebrand, 28, would sign a three-year deal after undergoing a medical today.
Cavenaghi: Girondins Bordeaux's Argentine striker Fernando Cavenaghi will be out of action for up to eight weeks after undergoing groin surgery yesterday, Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud told reporters. Cavenaghi joined Bordeaux from Spartak Moscow during last season's winter break and played nine matches for the side from the wine capital, scoring two goals. The Ligue 1 season resumes on Aug. 4.
Lauth: Former Germany striker Benjamin Lauth, 25, has transferred from Hamburg SV to Hanover and signed a three-year contract, Hanover said. HSV had loaned Lauth to VfB Stuttgart for the second half of last season. Lauth had played for HSV since 2004.
Unfit referees: Two assistant referees have been dropped for this month's Asian Cup after failing mandatory fitness tests, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced yesterday. The AFC said in a statement that U Kway Win of Myanmar and Mohamed Ibrahim Ali of Qatar were no longer needed for the tournament but would not be replaced. The two officials had been assigned to Saturday's tournament opener between Thailand and Iraq in Bangkok.
La Galaxy: David Beckham's new team LA Galaxy will play a friendly against Sydney FC in November, it was announced yesterday. The match will take place at Sydney's Olympic stadium on November 27 to coincide with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) annual awards being held in the same city.
Eriksson: Sven-Goran Eriksson arrived in Manchester last night to tie up his move to Manchester City. It is believed the former England manager will take training today, when the players return for pre-season, and that he will complete the formalities of taking charge tomorrow.
Leeds: Ken Bates' hopes of regaining control of Leeds United suffered a blow yesterday when the Inland Revenue challenged his proposed takeover. A statement on the Yorkshire club's website said that the tax authority had confirmed its opposition to the planned re-sale of the club to Bates. The Revenue lodged its appeal at the High Court yesterday, which marked the close of the 28-day statutory period granted to creditors to contest the plan.