Fenerbahce have expressed their delight at finally securing the services of Diego on a three-year deal.
The former Brazil international was presented at a media conference on Saturday, having spoken of his excitement earlier in the week at the prospect of joining Fener as a free agent.
Club president Aziz Yildirim revealed that Fenerbahce had registered their interest in the playmaker five years ago, and was thrilled to confirm the signing.
We were interested in Diego in previous years, he said. In 2009 his parents met here with me.
On that day, because of the high cost in terms of the transfer, it did not happen. Five years later, we are here today.
Diego, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Atletico Madrid from Wolfsburg, adde…
South Korean rivals Pohang Steelers and Seoul head into the first leg of Wednesday s AFC Champions League quarter-final in contrasting form.
Pohang have spent large parts of the K.League campaign at the top of the table and could have returned to the summit with a victory at home to title rivals Jeonbuk Motors on Saturday.
However, Hwang Sun-hong s men wasted that opportunity, as goals from Lee Seung-ki and Lee Dong-gook helped Jeonbuk stretch their lead at the top to four points.
Pohang now go in search of a swift response when they host Seoul at the Steelyard Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League last-eight clash.
If the two meetings between the sides in the K.League this season are anything to go by then a tight contest is to be expected.
Veteran goalkeeper Marco Storari has signed a new contract that will keep him at AC Milan until June 2018.
The 40-year-old returned for a second spell at Milan from Cagliari in January on a six-month deal, with Gabriel moving in the opposite direction on loan.
Storari did not feature for the Rossoneri in 2016-17, but they have nonetheless opted to hand him a one-year renewal as experienced back-up for teenage sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The keeper started his professional career at Ancona and represented Napoli and Messina before arriving at Milan for the first time in 2007.
announces the contract renewal with Marco Storari through to 30 June 2018.
Prolungato il contratto con Marco Storari al 30/06/2018.
— AC Milan (@acmilan)
Aft…
Italy coach Antonio Conte hopes playing Spain in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup will help his team improve and rise up the FIFA rankings.
Conte s men were placed with Spain, Albania, Israel, Macedonia and Liechtenstein in Group G of UEFA s World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018 on Saturday, and Italy s boss feels his side will rise to the occasion against Vicente del Bosque s team of champions.
Since taking over as Italy coach following Brazil 2014, Conte has led his country to five wins from 10 matches, although they are winless in four games this year.
It is a tough group, however, I prefer to think that Spain could boost us, Conte said after the draw in St Petersburg.
We have to face one of the best teams in the world. I am sure that we can do well …
Former Borussia Dortmund president Reinhard Rauball does not fear newly appointed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will try to sign players from his former club.
Liverpool have been linked with a host of BVB stars over the past few days, including Marco Reus, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ilkay Gundogan, but Rauball is confident Klopp will not undermine his standing at Westfalenstadion by raiding the club he coach between 2008 and 2015.
Klopp is a very intelligent man and he won t destroy his own reputation in Dortmund by signing players from us, the current DFL president told Omnisport.
No one in Dortmund will forget Klopp and no one will forget the great things he did for Borussia Dormund.
Klopp guided Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles during his seven…
UEFA is investigating Jude Bellingham s conduct after England s dramatic extra-time victory over Slovakia at Euro 2024, though the midfielder says he meant no disrespect with a gesture he made at full-time.
Bellingham scored a stunning overhead kick five minutes into stoppage time as England came back from behind to beat Slovakia in the last 16, with Harry Kane heading in an extra-time winner.
The Real Madrid midfielder was seen kissing his hand and grabbing his crotch after the full-time whistle in a gesture some interpreted as an insult towards Slovakia s fans and bench.
Bellingham used social media to rubbish those suggestions on Sunday, responding to a video of the gesture on X by writing: An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game…
France Football has learned that former France boss Laurent Blanc has emerged as the main candidate to take over the reigns of the USA national team.
Head coach Bruce Arena resigned from the post after the USMNT surprisingly failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and the national team bosses are now searching for his replacement.
According to France Football, they are set to offer the job to Laurent Blanc, who has been without work since June 2016.
The 51-year-old coached France between 2010 and 2012, as well as enjoying spells with Bordeaux and PSG, winning four Ligue 1 trophies in the process.
Having been without a job for over a year, chances are that Laurent Blanc will seriously consider any offer from the United States Soccer Federation.
…
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is confident his close-season signings will make his squad contenders for silverware in the 2015-16 Premier League season.
Recruits Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin were presented at a news conference in Seattle, where United begin their International Champions Cup against Liga MX outfit America on Friday.
Dutchman Van Gaal outlined his reasoning for signing each individual.
Morgan is the type of who I think can play in our system and in our philosophy, Van Gaal said.
Matteo has very good orientation.
He is also fast and he can build up play.
Van Gaal will once again coach Germany captain Schweinsteiger, having previously linked up with him when in charge at Bayer…
Lionel Messi s management company has hit back on behalf of its client after it emerged the Barcelona star is likely to face trial for tax fraud.
It was previously believed the 28-year-old Argentina star, under investigation along with his father over alleged fraud dating back to a period of time between 2007 and 2009, would be spared a trial on the basis that he did not have full control of his affairs.
However, it was widely reported by the Spanish media on Thursday that the four-time Ballon d Or winner would be required to appear in court after the state attorney opted to overrule the advice of prosecutors.
The Prosecutor s Office did not accuse Lionel Messi of any financial fraud on September 25, Leo Messi Management wrote in a letter titled The State Attor…
Luis Suarez has reached an agreement to return to boyhood club Nacional.
Uruguay international Suarez, 35, was allowed to leave Atletico Madrid at the end of last season and had been linked with a number of clubs including River Plate and Borussia Dortmund.
However, the veteran striker has opted to return to Uruguayan giants Nacional, where he began his professional career back in 2005.
First of all, I want to thank you [the fans] for the love that my family and I have received in recent days, said Suarez.
That touched our hearts in this situation where we had to make a decision. It was impossible to reject this opportunity to have a chance to play for Nacional again, and we have a pre-agreement with the club.
In the next few hours, t…