Patrick Vieira’s nine-year association with Arsenal should end tomorrow when he completes his transfer to Juventus.
The Gunners skipper is in Turin to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical after a £13.75million fee is agreed.
Newcastle United confirm that Emre Belezoglu has completed his move to Tyneside from Inter Milan. - Patrick Vieira’s nine-year association with Arsenal should end tomorrow when he completes his transfer to Juventus. The Gunners skipper is in Turin to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical (no problems are anticipated) after a £13.75million fee is agreed. The 29-year-old France midfielder joined Arsenal from AC Milan for £3.5m in 1995. He will sign a five-year contract. Patrick’s Highbury career came to a glorious conclusion in May when he lifted the FA Cup in his final game after a penalty shootout win over Manchester United. He scored the final penalty to clinch victory. It was his fourth FA Cup Final success to add to three Premiership titles in his 407 appearances and 33 goals for the North London club.
- Newcastle United confirm that Emre Belezoglu has completed his move to Tyneside from Inter Milan. The 24 year-old Turkish international signs a five-year deal to become the Toon’s second summer signing following the capture of Chelsea’s Scott Parker. The fee is thought to be around £4million. Emre told the club’s official web site ‘I am very happy to have signed for Newcastle United because they are one of the biggest clubs in England. This is a very big club and I am so excited about the prospect of playing in the Premiership. It is a new challenge and one I am looking forward to very much’. One of the stars of the 2002 World Cup, he joined Inter from Galatasaray in 2001. In March 2004, he was named by Pele as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers.
- Rhyl record their first win in Europe with a 2-1 success against Atlantas in the first leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying tie. Two goals from Lee Hunt delighted a packed Belle Vue before the Lithuanian’s reduced the arrears through Rimantas Zvingilas. Rhyl made their first appearance in Europe last season, losing 7-1 on aggregate to Latvian side Skonto Riga.
- Reading complete a club record signing as Bristol City accept their £1million bid for England Under-21 striker Leroy Lita. Royals chairman John Madejski personally finances the deal to secure the services of the former Ashton Gate trainee. Leroy signs a three-year contract with the Championship side, with an option for a further year.
- Paul Gascoigne is named coach of Algarve United, a minor league club on the south Portugal coast. Club president Corrado Corregi says Gazza could attract top players, including some from the Premier League, as he seeks to guide United into the Portuguese First Division within six years. The Algarve club was formed in 2004. The 38 year-old won 57 England caps.
