Adriano: Leading Brazil striker Adriano limped out of training with an ankle injury yesterday, two days before the Confederations Cup final against Argentina. Adriano was forced out around 45 minutes into the session but the team doctor played down the extent of the injury. "This was done as a precaution," Jose Luiz Runco told reporters at the team training ground. "We'll use ice on the left ankle and he should be able to resume training."
Essien: Ghana midfielder Michael Essien, who has been chased by several top clubs including Chelsea, will still play for Olympique Lyon next season, the French champions said yesterday. Lyon, who won a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title last month, resumed training yesterday under the guidance of their new coach, former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier. The Ligue 1 season kicks off on July 30.
Wise: Former England midfielder Dennis Wise is set to join English second division side Southampton, 20 years after leaving the club as a teenager. The 38-year-old, who last month resigned as Millwall player-manager a year after taking them to the FA Cup final, will join Southampton subject to passing a medical. Wise joined Southampton as a trainee in 1984 but did not make the first team and joined Wimbledon a year later.
Kluivert: Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert promised to stay well behaved at Valencia when he was officially unveiled by the Primera Liga club yesterday. "Everyone can relax. I will behave myself at night," Kluivert told a news conference. The 28-year-old has a clause written into his contract that the club reserves the right to rescind the agreement if the player does not maintain an orderly private life, according to Spanish media reports. Kluivert is one of six signings Valencia have made since the end of last season alongside coach Quique Sanchez Flores, striker David Villa, midfielders Edu and Mario Regueiro and goalkeeper Juan Luis Mora.
'Park Lane': The home town of South Korea midfielder Park Ji-sung has named a street after Manchester United's new signing. The 24-year-old Park, who joined the Premier League club on a four-year contract last week pending a work permit, attended a ceremony yesterday to open "Park Ji-sung Road". Park, who helped PSV Eindhoven win the Dutch title and reach the Champions League semi-finals last season, will become the first South Korean to play in the Premier League.
Real youths: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez hailed their B team's promotion to the Spanish second division as evidence of the strength of the club's youth system. Real Madrid B lost 1-0 to Conquense on Sunday, but won 2-1 on aggregate, securing promotion eight years after being relegated to the regional third division. After a second consecutive season without a major trophy for the senior side, the B team's success provides some much needed good news.
In Argentina: Velez Sarsfield won the Argentina championship on Sunday, beating Estudiantes 3-0 to clinch the title as second-placed Racing Club lost at Banfield. Velez, who have 38 points from 18 games, claimed their sixth title and the first since 1998 after opening up an unassailable six-point lead with one match to play over Racing, who had former Argentine midfielder Diego Simeone sent off in their 1-0 defeat. Independiente's game at home to Arsenal was postponed after 17-year-old youth team goalkeeper Emiliano Molina died following a car accident.
Norway striker John Carew has joined French champions Olympique Lyon on a four-year deal from Besiktas worth 7.65 million euros ($9.24 million). "It's a great news since the club's priority was to recruit a forward. He is experienced and there is no doubt he will be a plus for Lyon," club president Jean-Michel Aulas said. Lyon wanted an experienced striker to strengthen their attack in an attempt to improve their Champions League record. They have failed to go beyond the quarter-finals in the competition for the last two seasons.