■ENGLAND
‘Big Jack’ hospitalized
Former England World Cup winner Jack Charlton has been hospitalized after collapsing during a family holiday in Spain, his son confirmed on Tuesday. The 74-year-old was taken to a private clinic after falling ill in Mascarat, on the Costa Blanca, complaining of problems with his eyes. MRI and CAT scans and heart tests have proved inconclusive so far. John Charlton said his father was back with his family after being discharged with medication to treat high blood pressure. He told the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle: “It was a scare at the time and he’s been in for three days, but he has had more tests and checks than he would have had in the UK. We’ve taken all the right precautions to make sure he’s OK and he was well looked after right from the start. He just had a bit of a turn.” “Big Jack” won the World Cup as a player in 1966 and later managed Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and the Republic of Ireland.
■JAPAN
Oita in controversial signing
Oita Trinita are planning to sign controversial midfielder Naoya Kikuchi, who was arrested two years ago for having sex with a 15-year-old girl. Oita official Yasushi Hara said the club were serious about recruiting Kikuchi, who was banned from playing in Japan for a year following the scandal. “We don’t want to see such a talented young player go to waste,” Hara told Nikkan Sports yesterday. “We want to give him a chance.” The 24-year-old Kikuchi played third division football in Germany after being booted out of the J-League in 2007. He had admitted to having sex with a schoolgirl in a car, police reports said. Kikuchi was arrested after the girl reported the case to police with a wallet containing Kikuchi’s driver’s license, which he had left in the basket of her bicycle. His former club Jubilo Iwata immediately terminated the player’s contract.
■ENGLAND
City finalize Lescott deal
Manchester City have completed the signing of England defender Joleon Lescott on a five-year contract from Everton, the club said on Tuesday. After having two bids rejected, City agreed a fee with the Merseyside club over the weekend. Lescott, 27, passed a medical on Monday and finally tied up the transfer late on Tuesday night. Lescott is City’s sixth major signing of the summer, joining Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure at Eastlands.
■ITALY
Boranga to play aged 66
Former Fiorentina goalkeeper Lamberto Boranga has come out of retirement at the age of 66 to play for L’Ammeto in the Italian amateur leagues. “I will do it because a friend asked me for some help,” Boranga said. “For the first game of the season, the side’s two goalkeepers are suspended and I didn’t know how to resist the lure of the football field.” Boranga came out of retirement to play one game for a different amateur team when he was 50. He also holds the world record for the long jump for over 60-year-olds.
■ENGLAND
West Brom to sign Jara
West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo said on Tuesday he is set to complete his sixth signing of the summer with the arrival of versatile Chile international Gonzalo Jara for £1.4 million (US$2.3 million). The Colo Colo defender, who is 24 on Saturday, has agreed personal terms with the Championship side and signed a three-year contract, but is waiting for international clearance.
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