Aston Villa striker John Carew signed a one-year contract extension on Thursday.

LONDON (SW) – News coming out of St Petersburg is that Russian top performer from Euro 2008 Andrei Arshavin is almost certain to sign for Tottenham Hotspur within days.

FRANKFURT, Germany (SW) — The biggest signing in the Bundesliga will spend the season on the bench.

Adrian Mutu has been ordered by FIFA to pay Chelsea 13.68 million pounds (17.2 million euros) in compensation following his failed drugs test in 2004, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

Germany´s keeper Rene Adler will not play against Belgium on August 20 at Nuremberg because of a shoulder injury, his club Bayer Leverkusen said on Thursday.

Lens president Gervais Martel hit out at French legal authorities on Thursday following the overturning of a ban on first division rivals Paris Saint Germain competing in this year´s League Cup.

France international Julien Escude, who plays for Sevilla, will start training on Friday following recovery from a groin injury, the Spanish first division club said on Thursday.

Portsmouth and football agent Willie McKay were charged by the English Football Association on Thursday with breaches of rules in relation to the transfer of Benjani Mwaruwari to and from the club.

MADRID (SW) – Brazilian and Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista is said to be very close to signing for AS Roma in Serie A.

AS Roma have signed Real Madrid´s Brazilian forward Julio Baptista, the Spanish club announced Thursday.

The cost for building five new stadiums and renovating five others is now expected to be 20% more than the original budget, but the good news is that they are all back on track and will all be ready for 2010. South Africa's deputy Finance Minister, Jabu Moleketi said yesterday, the Government would be asking host cities to help cover the shortfall as they are struggling to cope with the unexpected increase in costs.

While Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani had his named linked to two English sides by media this week, Osasuna deny having received serious offers.

Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute has been linked to a Tottenham Hotspur return by English newspaper Daily Mail.

Roma captain Francesco Totti, who in April had an operation on his right knee, took part in a friendly match Thursday, according to the news agency Ansa.

Celtic Glasgow have been given permission by Welsh side Cardiff City to begin negotiations with Dutch defender Glenn Loovens.

English clubs had a bitter-sweet night in UEFA Cup action on Thursday as Aston Villa won in Iceland but Manchester City face a tough task to qualify for the first round after a shock loss to FC Midtjyllandat.

BIRMINGHAM (SW) – The Gareth Barry saga just won’t go away.

Blackburn rejected Manchester City´s 12 million pounds (15 million euros) offer for Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz on Thursday.

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal´s gritty Champions League victory over Steve McClaren´s FC Twente proved his young guns are ready to take centre-stage.

Premier League newboys Hull signed Wigan striker Marlon King on a season-long loan on Thursday.