Sammer: Matthias Sammer agreed to step down as VfB Stuttgart coach yesterday after a dismal end to the season cost the Bundesliga club a Champions League place. Stuttgart looked credible title challengers over the first half of the season but they collapsed at the end of the campaign, winning just one of their last six games as they finished fifth.

Kluivert: Dutch international striker Patrick Kluivert has agreed to sign a three-year contract with Valencia. The 28-year-old, who will arrive on a free transfer from English club Newcastle, is due to undergo a medical at Valencia next Thursday.

Sergi: Atletico Madrid defender Sergi announced his retirement yesterday after 12 years as a professional in the Spanish top flight. "I think it's the right time to put football to one side," the 33-year-old left-back told a news conference in Madrid. Sergi began his career in the youth ranks of Barcelona, making his Primera Liga debut against Rayo Vallecano in November 1993 under Johan Cruyff.

Zeman: Czech coach Zdenek Zeman has left Lecce after the southern team decided not to offer him a new contract. Former Roma and Lazio coach Zeman took Lecce to an 11th place finish in Serie A last season. Club president Rico Semeraro said his relationship with Zeman had soured due to the coach discussing possible moves to other clubs during the season.

Taddei: Serie A club Roma have signed Brazilian winger Rodrigo Taddei on a five-year contract from Siena. The 25-year-old Taddei joined Siena when they were in Serie B three years ago and helped them to promotion to the top flight. Before joining the Tuscan club Taddei had been with Brazilian club Palmeiras.

Gazzayev: The UEFA Cup yesterday arrived in the troubled Caucasus region, the home of CSKA Moscow coach Valery Gazzayev and the first stop on its long journey through Russia. Gazzayev became famous overnight in his native North Ossetia after he led CSKA to a 3-1 win over Portugal's Sporting in the UEFA Cup final last month as they became the first Russian club to lift a European trophy.

Under 21: UEFA Championship Group Five - Belarus vs Slovenia 1-2; Norway vs Italy 1-0; Scotland vs Moldova 0-0.

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