Cassano: Italian striker Antonio Cassano has moved to Sampdoria from Real Madrid on a one-year loan, the Serie A side said last night. "The dream has come true: Cassano is a Sampdoria player," said the Genoa club's website. Sampdoria said they had an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
Rigano: Levante have reached an agreement to sign Italian striker Christian Rigano on a two-year deal from Messina. The 33-year-old, who has also played for Empoli and Fiorentina, scored 19 goals for Messina in Serie A last season.
Del Horno: Valencia defender Asier del Horno is hoping that the club will allow him to return on loan to his former team Athletic Bilbao after coach Quique Sanchez Flores made it clear he does not figure in his plans for this season. "For me and for Valencia going to Athletic would be a good option," the former Chelsea player was quoted as saying in sports daily Mundo Deportivo.
'Big' signing: FK Moscow yesterday presented their most expensive signing, Argentine Maximiliano Moralez, who has joined the Russian premier league club from Racing Club on a five-year contract, reportedly worth $12 million. FK Moscow beat several top European clubs to sign the 1.61-metre, 53-kg attacking midfielder, nicknamed Enano or midget for his small size, after he helped Argentina win the U-20 World Cup last month in Canada. Moralez becomes the third South American at FK Moscow, joining compatriots Hector Bracamonte and Pablo Barrientos.
Harte: Ireland international Ian Harte has rescinded his contract with Levante, the Primera Liga side said. The 29-year-old defender joined Levante from Leeds in 2004 but has been plagued by a series of injury problems during the past two seasons.
Somoza: Villarreal have agreed to loan Argentine midfielder Leandro Somoza to Real Betis for the forthcoming season. Somoza, 26, signed a five-year deal for Villarreal from Velez Sarsfield last season and made 25 league games for the Mediterranean side.
McCarthy: Striker Benni McCarthy has been ruled out of Blackburn Rovers' UEFA Cup second qualifying round, first leg against Finnish side MyPa-47 with concussion. The South African was briefly knocked out in the opening Premier League match of the season against Middlesbrough on Saturday and coach Mark Hughes said he will not be risked for tomorrow's match.
Juan: Brazil defender Juan will miss the friendly against Algeria on August 22 because of injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation said. The Roma player has been replaced by Luisao for the match against the North Africans in Montpellier, France.
Beslija Moves: Hearts' record-signing Mirsad Beslija joined Belgium's Sint Truiden yesterday in a season-long loan deal with an option of a second year. The 28-year-old Bosnian midfielder cost the Scottish Premier League club £800,000 from Belgian side Racing Genk in January 2006, but has managed just 13 appearances for the Edinburgh outfit due to a series of injuries.
Friendlies: Hamrun Spartans vs Tarxien Rainbows 2-0; Malta Under-17 vs Valletta 4-5.