Ramos: Defender Sergio Ramos joined up with the Spain squad yesterday after completing his "dream" move to Real Madrid with his mind firmly on his country's World Cup qualifier. "I am very pleased to be joining the greatest club in the world but now I only want to focus on playing with the national team," Ramos told reporters. The highly rated 19-year-old became the club's sixth most expensive signing in history after they agreed to buy out his contract at Sevilla for 27 million euros late on Wednesday.
Video evidence: CSKA Sofia are collecting video tapes they say show Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse making obscene gestures at fans of the Bulgarian club during a Champions League tie in Sofia last month. CSKA were fined 30,000 Swiss francs ($23,640) after their supporters directed monkey noises at Cisse in the last 12 minutes of the first leg of the third qualifying round against the European Champions, which Liverpool won 3-1. UEFA have appealed the decision by their own control and disciplinary body as they believe the punishment was too lenient. The appeal will be heard this month.
Frings: Torsten Frings will miss Germany's friendly internationals against Slovakia and South Africa because of an inflamed ankle. The Werder Bremen midfielder aggravated the problem in his left ankle in the Champions League qualifier against FC Basel last week. He was sent home from the training camp in Berlin yesterday after an examination by Dr Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt.
Celtic: Celtic have included a clause in Chinese defender Du Wei's contract that could end the deal in January if the international fails to settle at the club, chief executive Peter Lawwell said yesterday. "We've signed a four-year deal, but there is a break in January, the purpose of which is really just to see how Du Wei settles over the next few months," Lawwell told a news conference. "He's coming straight from China, which obviously has a very different lifestyle and culture, and we just need to wait and see how he settles." Du, 23, signed for Celtic from Shanghai Shenua.
Tottenham: Poland striker Grzegorz Rasiak will join Tottenham Hotspur from Derby County after the two clubs reached agreement shortly before the transfer deadline. Rasiak, Spurs' ninth recruit since the end of last season, will sign for the Premier League club on completion of transfer formalities, Tottenham said on their website.
Solano: Peruvian midfielder Nolberto Solano has rejoined Newcastle United after 18 months at Aston Villa. Solano, 30, left St James' Park for Villa in January 2004 after making over 200 appearances in nearly six years at Newcastle. The Peruvian, who has signed a two-year contract, cost Newcastle a reported £1.5 million ($2.68 million) with forward James Milner joining Villa on loan as part of the deal.
Doni: Real Mallorca reached an agreement to sign Italian midfielder Cristiano Doni from Sampdoria shortly before the transfer deadline. The 32-year-old playmaker, who was a member of Italy's 2002 World Cup squad, spent the last two seasons at Sampdoria, having risen to prominence in his five years with Atalanta. The Italian becomes Hector Cuper's 11th close season signing as Doni, Greek striker Lampros Choutos and Getafe striker Yordi all joined the club on Wednesday, the final day of activity in the transfer window.
¤ Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has sent home Jeff Whitley and Philip Mulryne for missing a curfew ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and England. "For a player it is the ultimate sanction to be sent home," Sanchez said. "But this is a big week for us and we need everybody to be disciplined and professional in the way they approach these games." The Cardiff City midfielders were sent home on Wednesday before the Group Six games against Azerbaijan tomorrow and England four days later.