Manchester City signed Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov from Atletico Madrid on Thursday in a ?4.7 million (US$9.6 million) three-year deal subject to a British work permit.
The 28-year-old Petrov has already passed a medical exam. Petrov has also played with CSKA Sofia, Servette in Switzerland and German club VfL Wolfsburg.
"Unsurprisingly given the caliber of the player, there were a significant number of clubs competing for Martin's signature, and I am absolutely delighted that he has come to Manchester City," City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said. "Having Sven-Goran Eriksson as our manager proved to be a major factor in the player's decision to move here."
Petrov has played more than 60 times for Bulgaria.
He is set to be the fourth signing for new Man City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, following Rolando Bianchi, Gelson Fernandes and Geovanni.
Paul Scholes is recovering from a knee operation, but should be back on the pitch next month.
The 32-year-old Scholes left Manchester United's preseason tour in Asia on Monday after hurting his knee. Manager Alex Ferguson said on Thursday he hoped to have Scholes back in three weeks -- in time for the Manchester derby on Aug. 19.
"Paul's exploratory operation was 100 percent good news," Ferguson told United's Web site. "There was just some bruising on the cartilage. He will be back in three weeks. He's had his preseason and a few games, so I won't worry about that."
Bolton have agreed to sign Sweden winger Christian Wilhelmsson on a one-year loan deal.
Bolton manager Sammy Lee said on Thursday the deal would be completed this week.
"We have been working on this deal for some time and our patience has paid off," Lee said. "He is a versatile winger and will add a new dimension to our new style of play we are going to implement this season."
Wilhelmsson will join from French club Nantes and has also played with AS Roma in Italy and Belgian side Anderlecht. He has played 40 times for Sweden.
Leeds will start the League One season without a goalkeeper unless their transfer embargo is lifted.
The club needs special dispensation from the Football League to add players to the squad, following problems surrounding the club's ownership.
Deals have been lined up for Brondby goalkeeper Casper Ankergren and Watford's Scott Loach but they cannot sign while the embargo remains.
"I hope we can sign someone -- if not I am not sure who will play there," Leeds assistant manager Gus Poyet told the BBC on Thursday.
The Football League has withheld the "golden share" from Leeds that allows a club to play in the League Championship, League One or League Two. It wants further assurance about the legality of the sale of the club to Ken Bates on July 11.
Leeds players have not been paid for seven weeks. The players agreed to a wage deferral when Bates placed Leeds in administration on May 4 with debts of ?35 million.
"As everyone knows, one of our problems is that our players have not been paid, although it looks like they are going to be paid very soon," Poyet said. "The other is that we cannot sign players and that is a problem. We want to add to our squad and we don't have a goalkeeper attached to the club."
Leeds, who reached the 2001 Champions League semi-finals, were relegated to the third tier of the English league in May after finishing bottom of the Championship following a 10-point deduction for going into administration.
The transfers of Tottenham players Mido Ahmed and Hossam Ghaly to Birmingham look to have fallen through.
"You could say that both deals have been stuttering a bit," Birmingham manager Steve Bruce said on Thursday. "But the Mido one is a million miles away from happening."
Birmingham agreed to pay ?6 million for Mido on July 20, dependent on personal terms. Mido's Egypt teammate, Ghaly, was also set to join the newly promoted club.
"There are a few issues," Bruce said. "It is a big blow and I have felt better. It looks as if we are really struggling with the Mido deal and I might have to look elsewhere. As for Ghaly, it is faltering a little but I am still hopeful of reviving that deal. I haven't given up hope."
Middlesbrough signed defender Luke Young from Charlton on Thursday on a four-year deal worth ?2.5 million.
The 28-year-old Young, who has played seven games for England, will be the third player to join Middlesbrough this offseason.
He joins striker Tuncay Sanli and forward Jeremie Aliadiere, while defender Jonathan Woodgate converted his loan deal from Real Madrid into a permanent transfer.
Taiwan’s Lee Hao-yu on Friday went 0-for-3 in his MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, becoming the 19th Taiwan-born player to reach the big leagues. The Tigers ultimately lost 1-0 in 10 innings, ending their six-game winning streak. The 23-year-old started at third base and batted eighth for Detroit. He was promoted from Triple-A Toledo ahead of the four-game series against the Red Sox at the latter’s home stadium, replacing injured utility player Zach McKinstry. “Being right-handed, and given our schedule, I think six of the next 12 games are going to
Matheus Cunha on Saturday fired Manchester United toward the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 win at Chelsea, while Tottenham Hotspur remain in the relegation zone after twice blowing the lead to draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. Chelsea failed to take advantage of a United defense ravaged by injury and suspension as a fourth straight league defeat for the Blues left their Champions League hopes in ruins. United have missed out on the riches of Europe’s elite competition for the past two seasons, but are closing in on a return thanks to an upturn in fortunes under interim manager
Italian soccer is at its lowest ebb in nearly 40 years after a wholesale European exodus at club level followed the nation’s failure for the third successive time to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and compounded a leadership and structural crisis. The exits suffered by Bologna and ACF Fiorentina on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League respectively meant no Italian teams are left in European competition this season. Italy’s last remaining UEFA Champions League contenders, Atalanta BC, went out in the round of 16 last month. It is the first time since the 1986-1987 campaign that Italian clubs
The Detroit Tigers’ Lee Hao-yu on Monday collected his first and second MLB hits in their 8-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers’ No. 6 prospect, who batted eighth, had an RBI single and a double in four at-bats at Fenway Park, raising his batting average to .182. “He was super thrilled to get his first hit,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said after the game. “There’s only one first, you know, and for him, it’s been a couple of games where he’s really been wanting to do it. I’m glad he did it here.” “Young guys settle in when they start
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