[Novo]

McCAFFREY PENS NEW SAINTS DEAL

St Johnstone centre-back Stuart McCaffrey has signed a one-year contract extension to his existing deal with the newly-promoted SPL club.

The former Inverness defender, who turned 30 on Saturday, was already committed to the McDiarmid Park outfit for their first campaign back in the Scottish top-flight.

However, McCaffrey has now signed up the following season in Perth as well, taking his deal up to summer 2011.

The Glaswegian told the club website: "I'm delighted to have committed myself to the club beyond the forthcoming season.

"It caps a great year for me which I have thoroughly enjoyed and I would like to thank the chairman and manager for their efforts in offering me this chance."

[JohnnyBB]

Originally posted by andyman
Johhny! Been reading it, you will have plenty to write about soon.

i know i cant wait! thursday is gonna be mad

[Novo]

VUCINIC COMMITS TO ROMA

Mirko Vucinic has signed a two-year contract extension with Roma to keep him at the club until summer 2013.

The Montenegrin forward scored 11 Serie A goals this season to finish as the Giallorossi's second top scorer behind captain Francesco Totti.

The 25-year-old joined the Eternal City outfit from Lecce three years ago.

The Giallorossi finished sixth in the Serie A standings and will play in the Europa League next term.

[Novo]

NOVO RULES OUT GERS EXIT

Nacho Novo hopes to become a regular starter in the Rangers side next term and would like to stay at Ibrox until he retires.

The Spanish forward has been with the club since 2004 but has fallen down the pecking order after a season blighted by injuries.

He came off the substitutes' bench to score a spectacular winner in Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Falkirk and has now set his sights on a long future with Walter Smith's side.

The 30-year-old's contract expires next summer and there has been reported interest from clubs across the continent, including Deportivo La Coruna.

However, Novo admits it would break his heart to ever leave Rangers and he is keen to stay and play a more important role.

"I don't know how it will feel when it's my time to leave. I feel so much for this club I would die for it. It's as simple as that. And I'm not just saying that - I actually mean it," Novo told the Daily Record.

"Some people might say things like that just to sound good but I'm straightforward. I never want to leave this place. The fans are the best in the world and I just love playing for them. If I got my way then I would retire here. I never want to be anywhere else.

"Yes, sometimes it's hard for me when I'm not playing many games but I am the kind of person who never gives up. I want to prove to the manager that I should be playing."

Novo is convinced he still has a lot to offer Rangers but accepts that it could be difficult for him to become a permanent fixture in the team again.

"This year has not been the best for me. I have not played so much and I got injured at a bad time. I have found it hard and, if I'm honest, that worries me a little bit. I worry that it might be the same next season," he explained.

"I know if I get a regular chance I'll score goals for this club. I've proved that and I want to prove it again.

"I understand it's going to be another fight for me next year but I'm happy with that. It's good for players to know they can take nothing for granted - they have to go out there and earn it."

[Novo]

BLANC HAILS FERRARA

Juventus club administrator Jean-Claude Blanc has praised temporary coach Ciro Ferrara and revealed the former Juve star is among the candidates to guide the Turin giants next season.

Ferrara replaced sacked Claudio Ranieri earlier this month after the team's poor run of form.

Under Ferrara, Juve beat Siena 3-0 and won 2-0 against Lazio to pip AC Milan in the race to finish second in Serie A.

"It has been hard work to achieve this second position," Blanc said. "It is a great satisfaction because it has been a difficult campaign.

"This is the result of the work done by (Claudio) Ranieri and his staff.

"But after 60 days without victories, we were forced to take a decision in order to change the situation.

"Ferrara and his staff have done a good job in the last two weeks."

Bari coach Antonio Conte and Roma tactician Luciano Spalletti have been strongly linked with the Juve job this summer but Blanc insists Ferrara is also a strong contender to guide Juve.

"It's still early days," Blanc said. "We will take another 10 days to reflect before we make an important decision for the future of the club.

"Ferrara is among the candidates. He has proved his technical and leadership qualities.

"He was the coach of Juve for the last two weeks and he is a good candidate for the future."

[Novo]

MANCINI AGENT DISMISSES LINK

Roberto Mancini's agent has dismissed suggestions his client is set to be named manager of Sunderland.

Mancini was quoted as saying he had been offered the chance to take over at the Stadium of Light, and hinted he would relish the opportunity to return to football after a 12-month absence.

But his agent, Giorgio De Giorgis, said the Wearsiders had not been in touch.

He said: "Mancini is aware of those reports.

"But we have not received an offer, nor have we been in touch with anyone from Sunderland."

Mancini has been out of work since leaving Inter Milan last summer shortly after leading them to a third successive Serie A title.

De Giorgis confirmed there was interest in his client from England but that no formal offer had yet been put to the 44-year-old.

"There has been interest from English teams but Sunderland is not one of them," he said.

"However, no official offers have been made."

Mancini remains an outsider, with Wigan boss Steve Bruce emerging as the firm favourite for the post soon after Ricky Sbragia's resignation seven days ago.

Wigan have confirmed they will not stand in the way of Bruce providing Sunderland pay £3million in compensation.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has already given Bruce permission to talk to Sunderland, and expected a decision to be made by the end of Sunday.

Compensation would not be a factor if Sunderland were to appoint Mancini.

Bruce joined Wigan from Birmingham in November 2007, and has been a success at the JJB Stadium.

Whelan told Sportsweek on Radio Five Live: "I paid Birmingham a compensation fee and I think it is only fair they buy his contract out.

"I paid Birmingham £3million and I am asking for the same amount back.

"There are a lot of managers on the market at the moment you can get for nothing. It depends whether Sunderland feel they want to pay £3million. If they want real, real quality managers Steve is up there.

"I said to Steve and to Niall [Quinn, the Sunderland chairman] that if you are going to do a deal, do it quickly. Niall spoke to me and said, 'I understand we can't mess about on this and by Sunday evening we will have a decision for you.'"

Mancini has only limited experience of English football, having had a brief playing stint with Leicester in 2001 before going into full-time coaching.

Before joining Leicester he had a spell as player/assistant manager with Lazio, under Sven-Goran Eriksson, and later had spells as manager of Fiorentina and Lazio prior to joining Inter in 2004.

[Novo]

BLUES FREE NAFTI

Birmingham have released Mehdi Nafti after he fell down the pecking order under Alex McLeish.

The Tunisia international did not figure for the Blues after November and was not offered a new contract when his deal expired at the end of the season.

Despite being made available Nafti was unable to secure a move during either the January or emergency loan windows but is now on a free.

McLeish told the club's official website: "I couldn't guarantee him regular football and we're looking to do other things for next season."

[Novo]

OOIJER SET FOR PSV RETURN

Blackburn defender Andre Ooijer has confirmed he will be returning to PSV Eindhoven next season.

He is bringing the curtain down on three seasons with Blackburn after arriving from the Dutch club in August 2006.

Ooijer said: "It has been a difficult decision as I have had three great years at this club. But it is time for me to go home. I am just happy that Blackburn are safe.

"I am sure I have become a better person because it is a big experience to live abroad and play abroad."

Ooijer is hoping to help PSV recover from a poor season in which they finished fourth in the table.

He said: "Hopefully I can do my best and help them get back up the league again."

Ooijer is also keen to continue his international career and said: "I will do what I can to stay in there. There is a World Cup coming up and I would like to go to South Africa."

[Wildcat!]

Zeta house party!

Markus, Hugo and Sean

[Novo]

TUGAY SAYS ROVERS FAREWELL

Blackburn midfielder Tugay bade an emotional farewell to Ewood Park at the end of the season.

The Turkish midfielder told the Rovers fans "I love you and I'll miss you" as the strains of 'Nobody does it better' rang around the stadium.

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce had revealed in early May that the 38-year-old was set to call time on his career at the club.

Tugay spent eight years with Blackburn, having arrived from Rangers for £1.3million in 2001.

That has proven to be a snip for Rovers, with the cultured playmaker becoming a firm fans' favourite during his time in Lancashire.

Allardyce said: "Tugay can bow out gracefully after playing at the top level most of the time.

"He has had a fantastic career. But at 38 and the ever-increasing demands of the Premier League, certainly in a physical sense, it means you cannot go on forever.

"He has been a great servant to the club and if there is going to be a testimonial I don't have a problem with that."

[andyman]

Roberto Carlos! Fat Ronaldo! Rivaldo! Fantastic Brazilan players.

There was on player who played in the 1990 world cup and 2002 world cup, forgot his name.
Gotta love the south americans tho, fantastic players!

[Iceman]

Youtube video

Bad quality but it's the best I could find.

[Novo]

Nottingham Forest News

Ins:

Dexter Blackstock
Lee Camp (combined 2.5mill)

Rob Jones – 1 mill
Danny Haynes – 600k (paul anderson going to swansea)
Darron Gibson – 2.5mill
Gavin Hoyte – loan
Joel Lynch – 300k
Dele Adebola – free (done deal to be announced next week)
David McGoldrick – 800k
Chris Gunter – Season Long loan

Outs:

James Perch – Portsmouth
Joe Garner – Loan
Matt Thornhill – loan –League 1/ league 2
Mark Byrne – loan – League 1/ League 2
Brendon Maloney – loan –League 1
Kelvin Wilson – 500k – not sure who to as yet
James Ried – Loan – league 1

[Novo]

Celtic have approached Marco van Basten to be the next celtic coach ,Win jansen as a technical Director.My mate works for a company in Rotterdam,who deal's with Players and Managers contracts.

[Novo]

Spurs News

HR will attempt to sell Zokora,Bentley,Bent,Jenas and others such as Boateng and Rocha in the summer, whilst he has already started plannin for next season.

In: HR will look to take advantage of Real Madrid's Presidential change, bringing in Sneijder for around 18m, raised from Jenas and Bentley.

He will also target Man Utd's Park as a replacement for Zokora at around 6m.

We did enquire about Tevez, although we were quoted to higher price,so are targeting Berbatov instead, with the price believed to be 22m, although Fergie will charge us top dollar.

HR has also been in France, scouting Taiwo, a left back with a possible 8m move to premier league, fter discussing the window with Levy.

[Novo]

Glasgow Rangers FC – summer transfers

I have some good contacts at Murray Park and have been told the following will happen over the summer.

Walter has now lost all patience with Alan McGregor after his latest bad press over the last week and he will now be off to either Birmingham or Spurs for around £5m+. Also out the door will go Boyd, for around £3.75m with Big Eck and Birmingham looking favourites to come back in for him and give him the £20k a week he wanted in January. Fortunately Christian Dailly has kicked his last ball for Rangers, and Hemdani, Adam, Gow, Webster, S Smith, will also be moved on.

The Barry Ferguson deals hinges on whether or not Tony Mowbray gets the Celtic job. If he gets it the deal will be off and only Birmingham again will be interested in the former Rangers captain and Walter will turn his attention to Andy Driver of Hearts with Velicka returning to Hearts along with Webster as part of the deal. However, if Mowbray is unsuccessful at getting the Celtic job, Barry will go to WBA and Northern Ireland internationalist Chris Brunt will come to Ibrox as part of the deal to join up with Davis & Lafferty.

So following Brunt in the front doors at Ibrox will be the following. Walter is still not convinced Alexander is the answer to being his No1 even after some great displays in the last few months of the season and it is rumoured that with McGregor out the door he will make a bid to bring Craig Gordon back to Scotland. Also on Walter's radar are two bosmans Hreidarrsson from Portsmouth will be brought in as he can play either Centre half or left back and Aguiar of Hearts. That will leave only a centre forward to find and Rangers are casting their eye over a few european possibilities. One player rumoured over the weekend is ex chelsea forward Kezman who is playing with PSG at the moment but has fell out of favour.

So there you have it, remember where you heard it first. . 52 and counting!!

[andyman]

AMA! Pukka!

[Novo]

Edin Dzeko will join Juventus in the summer along with Fabio Quagliarella. Juve may also join Manchester Utd in the race to sign Juninho. Carlos Tevez will join Man City. Brede Hangeland will stay at Fulham. Tom Huddlestone will go to either Aston Villa or Fulham. Arsenal will buy both Sebastien Bassong and Mamadou Sakho. Emmanuel Adebayor will leave for AC Milan and will be joined by Lucas from Liverpool. John Obi Mikel will leave Chelsea for Inter. Chelsea will then move for Hatem Ben Arfa. Hull City will pay £7.5mil for Stephen Hunt of Reading. Cristiano Ronaldo will finally move to Real Madrid. Franck Ribery will stay at Bayern Munich. Karim Benzema will stay at Lyon. Everton will get David Wheater and Adam Johnson. Manchester Utd and Liverpool will battle it out to sign Tuncay. Liverpool will sign Gareth Barry, Juan Mata, and Javi Martinez.

[30stone]

Read it johnny you are doing the brotherhood proud.

[Novo]

Everton transfer news

moyes will get around 20–25m + players out to spend on new players

ins
richard dunne 4m
t rosicky 5m
l jacobsen 1m
deco 7m (moyes suprise buy)
d bent 7m/owen free

outs
hibbert 3m
van der meyde free
valente 2m

this straight from goodison park

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MUFC RUMOURS
Ronaldo will go 2 Real 4 cash + Huntelaar
Berba will be sold if we can recoup cash
Nani loan 2 Wigan
Valencia 2 sign
Ashley young 18mill
Tevez won't sign
Nev Scholes Giggs all 2 stay but ave very bit part rolls next season.
Possible Glen Johnson bid (brown will leave if he signs)
Kuszack loan 2 Celtic
Douglas Costa in for around 10mill
Juninho will join and help Anderson develop.
Rossi may rejoin from Villareal but onli if Berba went.
Park Manucho Simpson Martin sold! gibson loan wolves! possebon loan Rangers! machaeda loan
Robben Ribery Kaka Villa Benzema are all not joinin!

[Novo]

Definite transfer dealings for Watford fc

Rasiak not signing
Jack Cork – Loan again
Marlon King returns
Hanri Lansbury – loan

Out

Williamson – Preston
O'toole
Eustace
Richard Lee

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NORWICH CITY FC NEWS.

Ins:
Miguel Angel Llera– MK Dons (Free)
Grant Holt– Shrewsbury (200K)
Lee Trundle– Bristol City (150K)
Michael Nelson– Hartlepool (Free)
Leroy Lita (Free)
Darren Huckerby– San Jose Earthquakes (Free)
Andy 'judas' Marshall– Coventry (Free)

Outs:
David Marshall– Cardiff (750K)
Lee Croft– Derby (Free)
Sammy Clingan– Fulham (2.5M)
Wesley Hoolahan– Crystal Palace (2M)
Jamie Cureton– Barnsley– £2 and a bag of maltesers if we're lucky

[Novo]

Direct from Abu Dhabi. . . .Man City Rumours. . .!!!!

Talks have taken place for the following players:

Yaya Toure–20mil
Xavi Alonso–15mil
David Villa–35mil
Carlos Tevez–25mil
Gareth Barry–12mil
Dimitar Berbatov–25mil
Jesus Navuz–15mil(unlikely to leave spain but trying to have talks)
Mexes–10mil
Luisao–10mil

[Wildcat!]

Originally posted by Iceman

Youtube video

Bad quality but it's the best I could find.

That was good actutually. Gives a pretty good idea. It very similar to Aussie rules.