Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote will wear the club shirt carrying the logo of sponsor Wonga next season.
Speculation had suggested the 27-year-old Ivory Coast international, along with his fellow Muslim team-mates, might not be prepared to play with the payday lender’s name on his shirt so as not to risk infringing Sharia Law.
But sources yesterday indicated that Tiote is comfortable with the situation.
The Wonga deal has proved controversial since it was an-nounced in October, with civic leaders hitting out at the club’s association with the company.
Serie A kick-off
The 2013-14 Serie A season will start on August 25 and wraps up on May 18 next year, it was revealed yesterday.
The Italian league will make the fixtures draw next month but for sure there will be three midweek rounds next season – September 25, October 30 and March 26.
The FIGC said there will be three breaks for national team commitments on the weekends of September 8, October 13 and November 17.
The first round of the Italian Cup will be played on August 4.
The quarter-finals are sche-duled for Jan. 22 and the two-legged semi-finals are pencilled for Dec. 4-5 and Jan. 9. The final will be played on May 3.
Paulinho eyes Tottenham switch
Brazil midfielder Paulinho is keen to complete a move to Tottenham following the Confederations Cup.
While he is focused on tonight’s clash with Spain at the Maracana, Paulinho is almost certain to leave Corinthians this summer and Spurs would be his preferred destination.
“It is important for the Brazilian fans that at the moment all my focus is on winning the Confederations Cup,” he said.
“But after the tournament is finished I hope it is a deal that can get finalised quickly. To play in England for a great team like Tottenham is a dream.”
Draxler sticking with Schalke
Julian Draxler has turned down a lucrative move away from Schalke, according to Germany’s Bild. The 19-year-old put pen to paper on a new five-year contract only a month ago, but the deal is reported to include a release clause of €45.5 million.
According to Bild, several top clubs were willing to pay that sum to secure his services but the Germany international has turned down the move.
“This is going to be the shortest season of my career so far which is why I don’t want to move elsewhere and have to settle in to new surroundings,” he said.
“I’d rather play for Schalke in the Champions League and then fly out to Brazil for the World Cup with the national team.”
Almiron extends Catania stay
Catania midfielder Sergio Almiron has signed a one-year contract extension with the Serie A club.
The 32-year-old Argentinian has scored eight goals in 62 league appearances for the Sicilians since leaving Bari in 2011, and his contribution towards an eighth-placed finish in Serie A last season has earned him another campaign at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.
His current deal was set to expire next summer, but the club yesterday confirmed he will remain on the island through June 2015. Rosario-born Almiron can also number Juventus, Udinese and Newell’s Old Boys among his former clubs.
B. Leverkusen sign defender Spahic
Bayer Leverkusen have signed Bosnia defender and captain Emir Spahic from Spanish club Sevilla to help them in their Champions League campaign next season.
The 32-year-old centre-back, who went out on loan to Russia’s Anzhi Makhachkala in February, had agreed a two-year contract.
While neither club disclosed financial details, Spahic is valued at three million euros on transfermarkt.com, which tracks soccer deals.
“Emir Spahic is skillful and strong in challenges,” Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller said.
“He’ll help us to achieve our targets in the Bundesliga, the German Cup and, of course, the Champions League.”
Ribery pens new B. Munich contract
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has delivered on his promise by putting pen to paper on a new four-year contract.
The 30-year-old Frenchman announced after winning the treble with Bayern last season that he had agreed to sign a new deal with the record German champions.
And on Friday, following the first two days of pre-season training, he sat down to rubberstamp his commitment by signing on the dotted line.
“I’m really pleased. I always said how great it feels to be at Bayern Munich,” Ribery said.
“I have a good feeling for me and my family and I hope things will carry on the way they were in the past year.”