ITALY
De Jong inks Milan deal
Tough-tackling Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong has been included in the AC Milan side to face Bologna after signing a three-year deal, the Serie A club said. Milan have not yet announced the price of the transfer, but after he put pen to paper Milan said in a statement: “Milan have officially signed Nigel de Jong from Manchester City. The Dutch midfielder has signed a three-year contract which ends on June 30, 2015.” Dutch international De Jong, a product of Ajax, joined City from German side Hamburg SV in 2009 and played 104 times. His arrival may go part way to soothing the Rossoneri fans’ pain of losing Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, both to Paris Saint-Germain.
ENGLAND
Champions land Sinclair
Premier League champions Manchester City completed their swoop for Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair yesterday. Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has been keen to land Sinclair since the end of last season and the Italian finally got his man after making a new bid of about £6.2 million (US$9.8 million) for the former Chelsea player earlier this week. “I’m just glad everything is settled and that I’m now a City player,” Sinclair told Manchester City’s Web site. “There were times when I thought it might not happen, so I’m relieved that I’m here and I can’t wait to get started. Playing alongside some of the best players in the world is exciting for me and when you see two Champions League fixtures against Real Madrid on the horizon, it brings it all home.”
ENGLAND
QPR sign Esteban Granero
Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero has become the latest player to sign for Queens Park Rangers, the Premier League club announced late on Thursday. The 25-year-old has agreed a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee after making 60 appearances for Real. “He is a great player, first and foremost,” QPR manager Mark Hughes said. “You don’t play at a club like Real Madrid if you’re not.” Granero told the west London club’s Web site: “I’m very happy to be here. I love the passion of the English fans and, from what I know, QPR supporters are amongst the very best.”
ENGLAND
Reds sell Adam to Potters
Liverpool has sold Charlie Adam to Stoke City yesterday after the Scotland midfielder fell out of favor at Anfield. A day after sending striker Andy Carroll on loan to West Ham United, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers let Adam join Stoke on a four-year deal as he continues his reshaping of the squad. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media said it was in the region of £4 million. “This club’s on the up and it’s great to be a part of it,” Adam said. “I hope I can help them to improve upon the success which has been achieved over the past few years.”
SPAIN
Mallorca sign Dos Santos
RCD Mallorca have signed Giovani dos Santos from Tottenham Hotspur on a four-year deal, while Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente was waiting to see where he would end up. Dos Santos is the first significant move made by Mallorca since being barred from the Europa League in 2010 due to financial difficulties. Llorente, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has not played for Bilbao as the club wait to see if any team will pay his 36 million euros (US$45 million) buy-out clause. Meanwhile, Malaga have signed Javier Saviola from SL Benfica, while RC Celta de Vigo have taken Arsenal striker Park Chu-young on loan.
CYCLING
Hamilton repeats allegations
Tyler Hamilton says Lance Armstrong gave him an illegal blood booster at his house before the 1999 Tour de France and the two teammates compared notes on using performance-enhancing drugs as far back as 1998. Hamilton makes the allegations in his book, The Secret Race. Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France, Doping, Cover-ups and Winning at All Costs, set to be published on Wednesday next week. Armstrong agent Bill Stapleton did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hamilton and Armstrong rode together on the US Postal Service team. Armstrong has long denied doping, but last week chose not to fight drug charges made by the US Anti-Doping Agency. The book mirrors much of what Hamilton told 60 Minutes last year and what he said he told federal criminal investigators looking into doping allegations on the Postal Service team. Officials closed that investigation in February without bringing any charges against Armstrong. Hamilton details his own drug use and says usage on the team started even before Armstrong joined in 1998. He and Armstrong soon became roommates and confidants who would discuss using the blood-booster EPO and other performance-enhancing drugs. He said while visiting Armstrong’s home in Nice shortly before the 1999 Tour, he asked the Texan if he had any EPO and Armstrong pointed to the refrigerator. Hamilton described a doping plan put in place by the team for the 1999 Tour de France, with Armstrong’s knowledge, that included a motorcyclist riding behind racers with a thermos full of EPO. It was to be dispensed to riders in the team camper after race stages. He said team leaders, doctors and managers encouraged and supervised doping, and performance-enhancing drugs were handed out to cyclists in white lunch bags.
ICE HOCKEY
Eberle extends contract
All-Star forward Jordan Eberle has signed a six-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers that will keep him with the team through the 2018-2019 season. While no financial details were disclosed by the Oilers, media reports said the 22-year-old’s deal was worth US$36 million. Eberle led the team in scoring last season with a career-high 34 goals and 42 assists in 78 games, earning a spot in this year’s NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa. “I’m pretty excited,” Eberle said on a conference call on Thursday. “It’s something I’ve been working on in the last little bit here. With Taylor getting his done last week, I was pretty anxious.” Eberle’s good friend and roommate, forward Taylor Hall, signed a seven-year, US$42 million extension just over a week ago. “We want to be the core guys on this team,” Eberle said. “With the direction the team’s going, especially with a couple of acquisitions this summer and with the team being a year older, we’re going to have a reputation of a winning team here soon.”
MOTOGP
Stoner’s surgery successful
MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has undergone successful surgery on his right ankle, his Honda team said on Thursday. “Today in Australia, Honda’s Casey Stoner received surgery to his ankle, which was damaged after his crash in qualifying for the Indianapolis GP 12 days ago,” the team said in a statement. “The procedure was performed by Dr Lam’s team in Sydney’s North Shore Private Hospital. Doctors are pleased with how the operation went and now must wait during this initial recuperation period to see how the ankle is healing. With no complications or need for Stoner to stay in hospital, he has returned home.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely