Repka: Struggling Czech champions Sparta Prague agreed to sign experienced defender Tomas Repka from English side West Ham yesterday. The 32-year-old Repka will return to his home club after stints with Fiorentina and West Ham. Sparta said in a statement they had offered a three-year contract to the player known for his uncomprimising tackling and frequent bookings.
Asamoah: Schalke 04 have extended the contracts of German international forward Gerald Asamoah and two other players by two years, the Bundesliga club said yesterday. The extension commits Asamoah, 27, reserve goalkeeper Christofer Heimeroth, 24, and 20-year-old defender Tim Hoogland to the Gelsenkirchen-based club until the end of June 2008.
Diaby: AJ Auxerre midfielder Abou Diaby has signed a four-year deal with Arsenal, the Ligue 1 side said. Diady, 20, has just made three top flight appearances this season. He won the under-19 European Championship with France two years ago.
Ajaccio: Coach Rolland Courbis has left Ligue 1 strugglers Ajaccio after a series of poor results, the club said. The Corsicans, who lost 2-0 at home to Nantes on Wednesday, are second from bottom in the Ligue 1 standings and have not won a match for over four months.
Sheffield United: China defender Zhang Yaokun has joined English second division side Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season, Xinhua news agency reported yesterday. United have an option to sign Zhang, 24, from Chinese Super League champions Dalian Shide permanently, Xinhua said. The deal was worth around £70,000.
Too Expensive: A rare chance for a North Korean footballer to play in South Korea's professional K-League has disappeared because the player's Japanese club have demanded too much for his transfer. South Korea's Incheon United approached Nagoya Grampus Eight about signing North Korean midfielder Ahn Young-hak but the asking price, which was not revealed, was too high, Incheon's manager Ahn Jeong-bok said.
Spanish Cup: Last 16, second leg - Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao 4-0. (Real Madrid win 5-0 on aggregate).
In France: Ligue 1 - Toulouse vs Paris St Germain 1-0.
Basketball: Peugeot League - Loyola vs Naxxar 58-52; Hibs vs SN Suns 92-17; Luxol vs Depiro 30-51. Division One (men) - Mosta vs Floriana 103-53.
Coppa Italia - Last 16 - 2nd legs
Played Yesterday: Cittadella 0 Lazio 0 (Lazio through 2-0 on aggregate); Inter vs Parma 0-0 (Inter through 1-0 on aggregate).
Quarter-finals: Inter vs Lazio; Sampdoria vs Udinese; Milan vs Palermo; Roma vs Juventus. Ties: January 25 and February 1.