Smertin: Fulham midfielder Alexei Smertin says he began to appreciate English football much more after spending last year at Russia's Dynamo Moscow. "After a year in Russia I'm really grateful for the opportunity to play in England again," the former Russia captain said. Smertin also praised his former Chelsea team-mate and England skipper John Terry, saying: "He is a true team leader, a true captain."
Advocaat: Zenit SP coach Dick Advocaat told reporters that he would quit the Russian premier league side if they do not finish first or second this year. Zenit are joint leaders along with champions CSKA Moscow midway through the season.
Murcia: Promoted Real Murcia have agreed a two-year deal with attacking midfielder Enrique de Lucas, once his contract expires with Alaves at the end of this month. The 28-year-old former Chelsea and Espanyol player is Murcia's first signing of the close season.
Baldasano: Former Real Madrid presidential candidate Arturo Baldasano has become the majority shareholder at second division Cadiz, and installed former Real coaches Vicente del Bosque and Mariano Garcia Remon as sports advisor and coach, respectively. Garcia Remon was Real Madrid coach for three months in 2004.
Benfica: Portuguese investor Joe Berardo said he was bidding for 85 per cent of Benfica, up from an initial offer for 65 per cent of shares in the club. The announcement came after market regulator, CMVM, said Berardo's 3.5 euros per share bid had to include all of the shares available in Benfica. The remaining 15 per cent of Benfica shares belong to the club.
Savio: Brazilian forward Savio has signed for Levante on a two-year contract, the Primera Liga club confirmed yesterday. The 33-year-old former international, who has played for Real Madrid and Real Zaragoza, played the last six months on loan from Flamengo at Real Sociedad, who were relegated to the second division last weekend.
Aliadiere: French forward Jeremie Aliadiere is leaving Arsenal after signing a four-year contract with Middlesbrough. The 24-year-old's move, for an initial fee of £2 million, will be completed on July 1.
Barcelona tour: Barcelona will go on a nine-day promotional tour of the Far East between August 3 and 11 and have confirmed they will play three friendlies. On August 5, they face Beijing Guoan in the Chinese capital and two days later they play Yokohama Marinos in Japan. On August 10, they take on the Mission Hills invitation XI in Hong Kong.
Tel Aviv friendly: Real Madrid defeated a joint Israeli-Palestinian "Peace Team" 8-0 on Tuesday in a friendly in Tel Aviv aimed at promoting Middle East peace. About 30,000 saw Real cruise to victory at the National Stadium against a team made up of Jewish and Arab Israeli players and a handful of Palestinians who play for clubs across the occupied West Bank. Four goals by Guti and others by Raul, Esteban Romero, Sergio Sanchez and Alvaro Negredo added to the entertainment value for the fans.