New Werder Bremen signing Boubacar Sanogo was called up to the Ivory Coast team for next week's friendly against Egypt in Paris, the forward replacing the injured Aruna Dindane.
Sanogo, who moved to Bremen from Hamburg in a 6 million euro deal last month, joins fellow German based players Guy Demel and Steve Gohouri in a return to the team after missing June's African Nations Cup qualifiers against Madagascar.
The 24 year old forward has picked up only one cap for a team where Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou lead the attack and where Olympique Lyon's Abdelkader Keita and Arouna Kone of PSV Eindhoven also struggle for regular action.
Also back in the team named by coach Uli Stielike Friday, is Swiss based midfielder Gilles Yapi Yapo.
Both Egypt and the Ivorians are using the match as preparation for decisive African Nations Cup qualifiers next month.
Squad:
Goalkeepers, Boubacar Barry (Lokeren, Belgium), Stephan Loboue (SpVgg Greuther Furth, Germany)
Schalke forward Michael Delura has agreed a transfer to Greek club Panionios.
The 22 year old put pen to paper on a 3 year deal Wednesday after being informed that that he would not be featuring in Schalke manager Mirko Slomka's plans for the coming season.
Once regarded as one of the hottest prospects in German football, Delura failed to make the grade at the Veltins Arena and, after loan spells at Hannover and Borussia Monchengladbach, he now expects to get his career back on track by teaming up with German coach Ewald Lienen at Panionios.
"We wish Michael all the best for the new challenge and hope that he will be able to develop as a player and collect valuable experiences there," Schalke team manager Andreas Muller informed the club's official website.
No details were said concerning the transfer fee for the former Germany U21 international.
31 July 2007
Sharbel Touma signed a 3 year deal with Borussia Monchengladbach.
The winger's contract had expired at his former club FC Twente and he was able to transfer to Monchengladbach on a Bosman transfer.
Touma's move has caused surprise because he was linked with a number of top Dutch teams, however he has instead opted to join Monchengladbach manager Jos Luhukay in the German Second Bundesliga.
The 28 year old would also have had the opportunity of playing Uefa Cup football if he was staying at FC Twente.
Touma, who has won 2 caps for Sweden, had spent 3 seasons at FC Twente.
06 July 2007
Liverpool confirm the signing of Ukraine forward Andriy Voronin.
The Reds said in February that the 27 year old former Bayer Leverkusen player could be moving to Anfield in the summer on a free transfer.
Manager Rafa Benitiez said, "He is a player with pace and good movement, who plays between the lines and defenders. He is a good worker also and he scores goals. He's not the kind of player you can talk about strengths because he has lots of things he can have given to us."
Voronin started his career at the age of 15 with Borussia Moenchengladbach before moving on to Mainz and Cologne.
He was transfered to Leverkusen in 2004, where he scored 21 goals in 71 league games, and has scored 5 goals in 44 internationals since making his debut for Ukraine against Romania in March 2002.
"The task in front of Liverpool at the start of every season is to win trophies and I would like to be part of that. I would like to help them achieve things," mentioned Voronin.
"After being in Germany for 12 years, I felt it was time for a change, and then even more so when the offer came in from Liverpool. It is such a famous and big club, one of the most famous in the world. You cannot resist an offer like that. As a striker, of course the main task for me is to score goals. That is my role. I am confident. If I was not confident, I would not have made the decision to come here. I feel I can adapt and be a success in the English game."
03 July 2007
Bolton manager Sammy Lee has taken 2 trialists to the club's week long training camp in Austria.
The rookie tactician is eager to add additions for next season, his 1st full campaign in charge, with Spanish midfielder Mikel Alonso and Swiss wide man David Degen to be observed over the next week.
Alonso is the older brother of Liverpool player Xabi Alonso and currently plies his trade in Spain with Real Sociedad, who were relegated last season.
The 27 year old is thought to play in a similar style to that of his sibling and he is eager to make a move to the Premier League.
Degen usually operates wide on the right for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, and he too endured disappointment last season, as his club also failed to beat the drop.
The 24 year old has international experience having been part of Switzerland's 2006 World Cup squad, with Lee of the opinion the pair would prove to be astute additions.
"I have invited the 2 players over to Austria with the rest of the 1st team team so we can have a good look at them. Both players would interest us for next season," Lee informed the club's official website.
"Mikel (Alonso) is a creative midfielder who has an excellent passing game similar to his brother Xabi, who plays at Liverpool. David (Degen) likes to play wide-right and exploit the flanks. He has a good turn of pace, which would add a new dimension to our style of play."
22 June 2007
Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws is interested in signing Australia international midfielder David Carney.
The 23 year old currently plays for Sydney FC, however will supposedly turn down interest from an unnamed Swiss side to sign for the Owls.
Carney is no stranger to British football having progressed through the academy system at Everton before moving on to Oldham, Halifax Town and Hamilton Academical.
The Sydney born midfielder, who has previously been linked with a transfer to Germany with Borussia Monchengladbach, is part of the Australia team for next month's Asian Cup.
He was named Sydney FC's player of the year last season and is rated as one of the best midfielders in the A-League.
