Mahrez: Riyad Mahrez has signed a new four-year contract with Leicester City, tying him to the club until June 2019. The 24-year-old Algeria international midfielder has made over 50 appearances for the Foxes since signing from French side Le Havre in January 2014.
Petrovic: Serbian coach Ljupko Petrovic has parted company with Litex Lovech after spending just three weeks in charge of the Bulgarian league leaders, the club said yesterday. The Lovech-based side, who top the standings on seven points from three matches, cited “family reasons” as being behind the premature departure of the European Cup-winning coach’s third spell at the club. “We cordially thank Ljupko for responding to our invitation to return to us in a difficult time,” Litex said in a statement
Osvaldo: Italian striker Pablo Dani Osvaldo has joined Porto in the latest bid to revive his controversial and faltering career. The 29-year-old Argentine-born forward, who is a free agent after being released by Southampton halfway through his four-year contract in July, has switched clubs for the fifth transfer window in succession. Porto confirmed the move on Twitter, posting a photo of Osvaldo holding the number 10 shirt with the caption “Welcome Osvaldo.”
Clark: Ciaran Clark has signed a new five-year contract with Aston Villa. The 25-year-old defender ascended through Villa’s youth-team ranks to become a key member of the first team. He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to sign a new contract. I’ve been at Aston Villa since I was a kid and I want to continue to play for this fantastic football club.”
Sako: Crystal Palace have signed Mali striker Bakary Sako on a free transfer. Sako is no stranger to English football, having made 118 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers for whom he scored 36 goals. He played for Mali at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. With his contract having expired at Wolves, the 27-year-old was a free agent and he said he talked to several clubs before the call came in from Palace boss Alan Pardew.
Audi Cup: Third place play-off – Milan vs Tottenham 0-2. Final – Real Madrid vs B. Munich 0-1.
Europa League
Third qualifying round
| Playing today | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Agg |
| Aberdeen (Scotland) vs K. Almaty (Kazakhstan) | 1-2 | ||
| AEK Larnaca (Cyprus) vs Bordeaux (France) | 0-3 | ||
| Astra Giurgiu (Romania) vs West Ham (England) | 2-2 | ||
| Atromitos (Greece) vs AIK Solna (Sweden) | 3-1 | ||
| B. Dortmund (Germany) vs Wolfsberger (Austria) | 1-0 | ||
| Copenhagen (Denmark) vs Jablonec (Czech Rep.) | 1-0 | ||
| Dinamo Minsk (Belarus) vs Zurich (Switzerland) | 1-0 | ||
| FC Vaduz (Liechtenstein) vs Thun (Switzerland) | 0-0 | ||
| FK Vojvodina (Serbia) vs Sampdoria (Italy) | 4-0 | ||
| Gothenburg (Sweden) vs Belenenses (Portugal) | 1-2 | ||
| Hapoel K. Shmona (Israel) vs Liberec (Czech Rep.) | 1-2 | ||
| Inter Baku (Azerbaijan) vs Athletic Bilbao (Spain) | 0-2 | ||
| Istanbul Bas. (Turkey) vs AZ Alkmaar (Holland) | 0-2 | ||
| Legia Warsaw (Poland) vs FK Kukesi (Albania) | 3-0 | ||
| Odd Ballklubb (Norway) vs Elfsborg (Sweden) | 1-2 | ||
| Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus) vs Brondby (Denmark) | 0-0 | ||
| Qabala (Azerbaijan) vs Apollon Limassol (Cyprus) | 1-1 | ||
| Rosenborg (Norway) vs Debrecen (Hungary) | 3-2 | ||
| Rubin Kazan (Russia) vs Sturm Graz (Austria) | 3-2 | ||
| Saint-Etienne (France) vs Tirgu Mures (Romania) | 3-0 | ||
| Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) vs Krasnodar (Russia) | 0-2 | ||
| Spartak Trnava (Slovakia) vs PAOK (Greece) | 0-1 | ||
| Stromsgodset (Norway) vs Hajduk Split (Croatia) | 0-2 | ||
| Trabzonspor (Turkey) vs Rabotnicki (Macedonia) | 0-1 | ||
| Vitoria Guimaraes (Portugal) vs Altach (Austria) | 1-2 | ||
| Vorksla Poltava (Ukraine) vs Zilina (Slovakia) | 0-2 | ||
| Vitesse (Holland) vs Southampton (England) | 0-3 | ||
| Zeljeznicar (Bosnia) vs Standard Liege (Belgium) | 1-2 | ||
| Zorya Luhansk (Ukraine) vs Charleroi (Belgium) | 2-0 |
Play-off round draws: August 7.