Bristol City have secured the surprise signing of former Portsmouth goalkeeper David James

SkySports.com on Thursday that the Championship Robins were close to completing the major coup of landing the England shot-stopper and the deal has now been confirmed.

Celtic and Sundeland had been interested in James, but the clubs dropped their pursuit because they could not reach an agreement with the soon-to-be 40-year-old.

It is understood that the ex-Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham and Mancheter City No.1 wanted a one-year deal with an option to extend the terms, which, crucially, was on offer at Ashton Gate.

James passed a medical with Steve Coppell's side on Friday and his contract will become active on 1st August, allowing him to make his expected debut in City's season-opener against Millwall.

Five thousand unsold gold-plated Frank Lampard iPods are to be "melted down" following England's dismal World Cup flop

The soccer star teamed up with Dragons' Den firm

Goldgenie to launch the 24-carat iPod Touch, costing up

to £599.

But now bosses are set to salvage the gold from all the remaining iPods, which feature Lampard's laser-etched signature on the back.

Goldgenie, backed by BBC Dragon James Caan, is said to be planning to rebrand them with kids' cartoon character Hello Kitty. A TV source said: "They're melting down all the Frank Lampard iPods.

"It's not exactly melting down - it's a chemical process. But basically Goldgenie are recovering all the gold so they can use it again.

"They thought loads of people would want them during the World Cup but the backlash against England was so bad that they've had to scrap the whole thing."

Chelsea ace Lampard, 32 - dating new GMTV host Christine Bleakley - launched the 64GB gold-plated iPod at Harrods. A spokesman for the star said: "Frank donated all his royalties on the sale of the iPods to the Teenage Cancer Trust. He also made an up-front donation to the charity.

"It's disappointing the iPods have not reached sales targets as Frank wanted to help the TCT for which he's a patron." A Goldgenie spokesman said: "We may have over-ordered due to World Cup hopes, but that's no reflection on Frank's popularity."

Breaking News : Real Madrid Sign Stuttgart Midfielder Sami Khedira

Bundesliga side Stuttgart have confirmed the departure of holding midfielder Sami Khedira to Real Madrid. A report in Bild claims that the Blancos have agreed a fee of €14 million for the services of the Germany international. However, Stuttgart have not disclosed any details about the transfer fee.

The 23-year-old midfielder had already agreed personal terms with Madrid on Wednesday and will sign a five-year deal with the Merengues after undergoing a medical.

However, on the other hand, we couldn't deny Sami his dream move to Real Madrid. We'd like to wish him all the best at his new club."

Khedira had attracted the interest of Real Madrid with his excellent performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup and was since continually being linked with a move to the Spanish powerhouse.

The midfielder is a product of the Stuttgart youth academy and has made over 100 official appearances for the Schwaben since making his debut in October 2006.

Robinho desperate for Santos stay as Manchester City await Brazil striker's return in August

Robinho is set for another clash with Manchester City after begging to stay on loan at Santos.

City's record signing is due back at Eastlands in mid-August after being cleared by the club to play for Brazil in a friendly against the US on August 10.

But the forward, 26, insists he wants to stay in his homeland.

Robinho, who is due to say farewell to Santos after the second leg of the Brazilian Cup final on August 4, is irritated that a new loan deal has not been drawn up and claimed that City are refusing to negotiate with Santos.

He said: 'I hope I can stay, but it depends on Manchester City. I hope this is not my last game here but, for now, what I have been told is that they (the negotiations) are on a standstill and that I have to go back.'

City sources told Sportsmail that Santos have not yet made an approach about a new loan. Nevertheless, the Manchester club understandably want to recoup as much as possible of the £30million they paid Real Madrid in 2008 by way of a permanent deal.

Mancini said: 'He'll stay in Brazil for another week, play for the national team and then return.'

Asked if he had any issues taking him back, Mancini said: 'At this moment, no. But it depends on him.'

Mario Balotelli's £30m move from Inter is expected to be wrapped up on Friday. The player's agent, Mino Raiola, is at Eastlands to close the deal.

BREAKING NEWS: Fulham appoint Mark Hughes as manager on two-year contract

Fulham have confirmed that they have appointed Mark Hughes as their new manager.

Much has been made of who would lead the Cottagers into the new season after Ajax manager Martin Jol recently turned down the post with the likes of Dave Jones and Sven-Goran Eriksson mooted as potential candidates.

Despite being second choice to Jol, however, that didn't put off Hughes, who has signed a two-year deal with the Cottagers.

"I am happy to have joined Fulham following much speculation regarding the appointment of a new Manager. I have discussed my aspirations with both the Chairman and Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here," the Welshman told the club's official website.

"I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the Club’s history, and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition. I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this Club forward in the right direction.

"I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season’s campaign and we will work hard to achieve that. I’m looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible, and in making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August."

Goal.com UK exclusively revealed that Hughes is targeting Manchester City's Craig Bellamy as his first signing at the club and chairman Mohamed Al Fayed is adamant that the former Manchester United striker will prove a "great guy" for the job.

"I would like to welcome Mark Hughes to Fulham. I know that he understands my vision for the Club, and believes in what we want achieve," he said.

"We have enjoyed two incredibly successful years, and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue. I am confident that with his Premier League and National Team successes, Mark will be a great guy for the job."

Hughes will be officially unveiled as Fulham's new boss at a press conference on Friday.

Hilarious moment at Women's U20 World Cup

At 1:41 min of this video you will witness a hilarious moment in football history.

Portsmouth are made to pay

Portsmouth face the bleak prospect of paying out more than £500,000 in wages at the end of this week to players no longer at the club.

England keeper David James is set to become the biggest recipient in a bizarre salary structure. He will pick up about £140,000 from the club he turned his back on provided he does not sign for anyone else by Saturday night. James has been linked with Celtic and Sunderland, but has so far failed to agree any deal.

It means that, although his Pompey contract ran out in June, he is entitled to another four weeks’ wages.

Regulations state any club is bound to pay an extra month’s salary to a player whose contract has expired but has not signed for another club as part of normal severance.

Also entitled to another month’s money are defenders Steve Finnan, Ricardo Rocha and Tal Ben Haim and midfielders Angelos Basinas and Kevin Prince Boateng.

Ben Haim and Boateng have yet to move on.

Jose Mourinho lauds 'world's best' Ricardo Carvalho as Portuguese pair prepare to be reunited

Jose Mourinho has given the clearest indication yet that he will be reunited with Ricardo Carvalho at Real Madrid before the start of the season.

The Portuguese pair worked together at Porto before the manager moved to Chelsea in 2004. Carvalho duly followed that same summer in a deal worth £19.8m and has proved a sturdy foundation ever since.

However, after six years at Stamford Bridge the defender has revealed his desire to move on, claiming that he would go 'swimming or running' to the Bernabeu if his former mentor came calling.

And it seems the feeling is mutual. When pushed on Spanish TV as to the likelihood of a deal, Mourinho said: 'I always said that Carvalho is one of the best in the world. We'll see what happens.'

Carvalho, who turned 32 in May, has seen his place in the Chelsea come under-threat from the younger Alex and Branislav Ivanovic.

Mourinho, though, is unconcerned by the player's advancing years.

'He is in the period of his greatest maturity,' he added.

Carvalho sat out the second part of last season with ankle ligament damage as Chelsea romped to their first ever 'Double'.

He said earlier this month that an agreement was in place with Chelsea that allows him to find a new club this summer.

'If there was a possibility to sign for Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running,' he said. 'It would be a dream to be able to play for Madrid, which for me is the best club in the world.

'Chelsea have a commitment with me to let me go this summer, for reasons which those responsible at the club and I know.'

Mario Balotelli set to be unveiled by Manchester City in £24m deal

Manchester City are set to unveil Mario Balotelli to take their summer spending past the £100million mark.

The Inter Milan striker is on the verge of signing a five-year deal at Eastlands to complete his £24m switch.

Balotelli's arrival is likely to be confirmed today after he agreed a contract worth around £65,000 a week.

The 19-year-old will now compete for a place in the starting line-up with Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor, with Craig Bellamy, Roque Santa Cruz and Robinho all heading for the exit.

On Wednesday night, when asked about Balotelli during the Serie A fixture presentation at the Milan Stock Exchange, Inter director Ernesto Paolillo said: 'We are in the Stock Exchange Building where the basic rule is to announce business when it is final. A few things have yet to be sorted out but we are on the right road.'

According to Italian newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport, Inter's legal chief Vittorio Rigo was in Manchester earlier this week to finalise the deal. He is expected to be joined by Balotell's agent Mino Raiola at Eastlands today.

In an interview with Gazetta, City boss Roberto Mancini said: 'Good players do well wherever and he can demonstrate his value in England.

'We are looking for a striker and he is one of the those we have been following. As a player I like him - I gave him his debut in Serie A because he has talent and like many of the Inter players I know him well.

'It's not true that he has a difficult character - at that age everybody has made mistakes. Mario is a good lad.'

Mancini has already signed £24m David SIlva, £28 Yaya Toure, £17m Aleksandar Kolarov and £10m Jerome Boateng this summer.

Despite Balotelli's volatile reputation in Italy, Inter team-mate Marco Materazzi has defended the youngster.

He said: 'When you are young you make mistakes. I think he has made mistakes becaue of his talent which has made him feel stronger than he is.

'But I believe he knows he has made mistakes because otherwise after our fight he wouldn't have texted me during the summer and said "Where are you big brother?"'

'I think we have reached the stage where it's better for everybody. Mario picked the agent he has because he believed he was going to leave Inter. Inter paid zero for him – it's a question of balance.

'However I'm sure that when he leaves (owner} Massimo Moratti will be heartbroken because he has always been his biggest fan and I'm sure Mario will cry as well the day he leaves.'

Manchester United embarrassed "Mls All Stars" Full Time Highlights

Manchester United won 5-2 the game against the MLS All-Stars, led by Bruce Arena.

The English super power has proved much too strong for Bruce Arena’s boys, that lost the game by 3 goals, but still managed to score twice.

Here’s the MLS All-Stars first eleven: Donovan Ricketts, Kevin Alston, Jamison Olave, Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce, Sebastien Le Toux, Javier Morales, Shalrie Joseph, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Marco Pappa and Juan Pablo Angel.

Alex Ferguson sent the following lineup onto the pitch: Edwin van der Sar, Rafael, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans, Fabio, John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Frederico Macheda, Nani and Obertan.

A Failed Panenka By Neymar

Last weekend we saw an example of a brilliantly inventive penalty courtesy of Spain's Ezequiel Calvente.

Now here's an example of just how stupid you can look when a cheeky spot-kick goes wrong.

Teenage Santos forward Neymar is one of football's hottest properties, and has been linked with some of Europe's top clubs including Chelsea and West Ham.

SP.Braga VS Celtic Amazing Goal

An amazing goal you probrably havent seen from the Braga man Matheus Vs Celtic.

Raul Schalke Move Confirmed

Raul, 33, was a hero with the Madrid faithful, making 741 appearances and scoring 323 goals in a 16 year spell with the club he joined as a teenager, a spell which yielded 16 trophies including six La Liga titles and three Champions League successes.

Raul joins Schalke on a free transfer and will undergo a medical this morning before training with his team-mates for the first time later in the afternoon.

“It’s great news for FC Schalke 04,” said manager Felixe Magath in a statement on the club’s official website.

“I'm delighted we've been able to inspire such an exceptional footballer and world-class striker to move to the Bundesliga and Schalke. Raul's qualities will help us move forward.

“His signing marks a decisive step in our efforts to strengthen and restructure our squad for the tasks ahead and I look forward to working with such a likeable pro," he added.

Top 10 Reflex Saves Ever Made

10. Ed de Goey (Chelsea)
9. Alan Main (St. Johnstone)
8. Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)
7. Santiago Cañizares (Valencia)
6. Peter Schmeichel (Denmark)
5. Rinat Dasaev (Soviet Union)
4. Bogdan Lobont (Ajax)
3. Gregory Coupet (Lyon)
2. Gordon Banks (England)
1. David Seaman (Arsenal)

Best Goal Celebration Ever

This has to be the best celebration you have ever seen.The player who scores is called Halldor Orri and the man playing the flapping fish is Johann Laxdal.

Cesc Fabregas transfer bid under threat as Barcelona reveal debts

The latest financial audit of the club showed that the La Liga champions made a loss of over £64 million last season.

This is in stark contrast to the claims made at the end of June by the previous board, led by Joan Laporta, which claimed the club was only £9.2m in debt.

Barcelona have already had a £29m bid for Arsenal's talismanic midfielder turned down, and may have to resign themselves to a long wait before Fabregas will step out at the Nou Camp.

Arsene Wenger has so far refused to negotiate over the sale of Fabregas, who has five years left to run on his current Arsenal contract

Fabregas is set to sit down with Wenger later this week for a series of crunch talks, designed to end the speculation over a possible move to Barcelona.

Source : Metro.co.uk

Argentina drop Maradona as coach

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - The Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Tuesday elected not to renew Diego Maradona's contract as national team coach, a spokesman said.

Doubts had surrounded the 49-year-old's future ever since a tense meeting with AFA head Julio Grondona on Monday and newspapers had spent the day speculating on who would succeed the man who led the team to victory as star player at the 1986 World Cup.

As an inexperienced coach, Maradona's record over 18 months was less than stellar and the team only qualified for the World Cup finals by the skin of their teeth.

Although several players had spoken up for him after a run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, where Germany proved too strong, the AFA decided it was time to give the job to someone else.

One name in the frame to succeed him is Alejandro Sabella, who led Estudiantes to the Copa Libertadores last year.

Other potential candidates include Miguel Angel Russo (Racing Club) and Sergio Batista, currently in charge of the Argentine youth set-up and who helped steer the country to Olympic glory in the Beijing Games in 2008.

Fans reportedly have a soft spot for Carlos Bianchi, who has enjoyed success with Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors, but his chances are believed to be slim due to a poor relationship with Grondona.

Source : Soccerway.com

Diego Maradona criticises Messi treatment

Maradona played down controversy over Argentina's first goal in a 3-1 victory against Mexico, when goalscorer Carlos Tevez was clearly offside, and claimed referees were as guilty for not protecting Messi as missing obvious offsides.

"Messi gets kicked around and the referee does not act," said Maradona. "I have lived that myself 20 years ago, when I was a player when you had three players on you."

Argentina will meet Germany in the quarter finals, after benefiting from an official's error of judgment to rank alongside the one which denied England's Frank Lampard in a game against Germany four hours earlier. Tevez was beyond all 11 Mexico players in the move leading to the goal, when there should have been at least two when the ball to him was played.

After the replay flashed up on the big screen angry Mexico players surrounded the Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and linesman Stefano Ayroldi but the goal stood as it was too late for the officials to change their mind.

Mexico went into meltdown and a defensive howler by Ricardo Osorio allowed Gonzalo Higuain to make it 2-0. It was Tevez who sewed the match up in brilliant fashion - and legitimately this time - early in the second half with Mexico left only to savour a stunning reply by Manchester United's new signing Javier Hernandez.

Ronaldo returns to training ahead of schedule

MADRID — Real Madrid's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo cut short his holidays by one day and started training on Tuesday under the club's new manager Jose Mourinho for the first time before the team heads to the United States.

During Tuesday's training session the Portuguese coach divided the players into two teams to play two practice games.

The team will head to California on Wednesday morning for a pre-season training camp where they will remain until August 7.

Several other of Real Madrid internationals who took part in the World Cup in South Africa will meet up with the squad in California, such as Brazil's Kaka, who will arrive on Saturday.

Portuguese defender Pepe on Monday became the first Real Madrid international who took part in the tournament to have resumed training with the Spanish club.

Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player whose transfer to Real from Manchester United in cost the club 94 million euros in June 2009, failed to shine for Portugal during the World Cup.

The 25-year-old announced shortly after the final of the tournament which was won by Spain that he had become a father in June but refused to reveal who the mother of the baby boy is, sparking a media frenzy.

Real will play two pre-season friendlies while in California. The club will face Mexican side Aguilas de America in San Francisco on August 4 and US side LA Galaxy in Los Angeles three days later.

Real Madrid edge closer to Khedira capture

Real Madrid expect to complete the signing of Sami Khedira this week.

The German international has just twelve months left of his contract at Stuttgart, who are prepared to sell him now rather than lose him for nothing next summer.

Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked with the midfield player, but Real are in pole position and should complete the €10million signing within days.

Indeed, AS claim Khedira, 23, is so keen to make the move to the Bernabeu, he has offered to lower his wage demands to accelerate the transfer.

Manchester United urged to keep Carrick

Bryan Robson believes Michael Carrick can be a key player for Manchester United Football Club.

The midfielder joined the Reds from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2006, and he helped win the Premier League in each of his first three seasons at Old Trafford.

Last season, though, the £17million man had his most disappointing campaign in Manchester to date, and he has been linked with a £7million move to Sunderland.

However, United legend Robson has urged Sir Alex Ferguson to keep faith in Carrick, who he feels can become a key member of the starting eleven in the coming season.

“Michael's got a massive part to play for United,” he said. "He's proved that he's a top player. He reads the game really well, he's a great passer of a ball, and he's very good at intercepting things.

"If I was picking the England team, Michael would have been in my team. But quite a few of the boys have got to pick themselves up and prove themselves again."

United have money to spend

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the go-ahead to strengthen his squad with a player of "very high quality".

Ferguson insists he is pleased with his additions - defender Chris Smalling and striker Javier Hernandez. However Smalling has limited top-flight experience with Fulham while Hernandez has none at all after arriving from Guadalajara, and chief executive David Gill insists cash is available for Ferguson to enter the transfer market again before the window closes.

"The money is there if we believe there is a player who can improve what we believe is a very good squad," Gill told MUTV. "The team has been together for a number of years and done very well. In order to improve it a player has to be of a very high quality."

He added: "We are always looking at players. We are looking 365 days a year - it does not just start when the transfer window opens.

"Overall I think Sir Alex is very comfortable with the squad composition. That's not to say something won't happen, but I think it is a 'might', not a 'will'.

"We will see what happens over the next six weeks."

Manchester City on alert as Benfica tell Chelsea to improve £27m bid for defender David Luiz Read

Chelsea have been told they must stump up £33million to sign top defensive target David Luiz from Benfica.

Sportsmail revealed on Saturday that Carlo Ancelotti has identified Luiz as the man he wants to plug the gap in the centre of Chelsea's defence.

But Benfica, who are on the verge of selling midfielder Ramires to Chelsea in a £20m deal, are determined to play hard ball over Luiz who received his first call-up to the senior Brazil team yesterday by new coach Mano Menezes.

Chelsea were ready to pay £27m to head off the formidable opponents of both Manchester City and Real Madrid in the race to sign one of Europe's most highly rated young defenders.

And it remains to be seen whether Roman Abramovich is determined to go the extra mile for his manager who will be without injured defender Alex for the start of the season.

With Ricardo Carvalho having signaled his desire for a move to the Bernabeu and a reunion with Jose Mourinho, Ancelotti could find himself short of numbers in central defence if Chelsea are unsuccessful in their big money move for Luiz.

But the Italian will be cheered by the news that Ramires arrival at Stamford Bridge would seem to be only days away after the Brazil midfielder returned to Portugal yesterday to put the finishing touches to his move from Benfica.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti has turned to trusted fitness coach Giovanni Mauri to ensure his players are in tip top condition as they set about defending their Barclays Premier League and FA Cup crowns as well as launching yet another attempt at winning the Champions League.

Mauri first worked with Ancelotti as far back as 1996 with Parma before rejoining him at AC Milan. Ancelotti has now persuaded Mauri to link up with him once more and his appointment comes at a time when Chelsea have lost not only Alex but also Didier Drogba and Petr Cech to muscle injuries which have sidelined the trio for the start of the coming campaign.

Mauri is expected to work along side current fitness coach Glen Driscoll and head of sports science Nick Broad.

New Premier League squad rules explained

In and around this year's usual summer transfer gossip, you may have noticed the mention of 25-man squads and home-grown player quotas.

The 2010-11 Premier League season will see top flight clubs forced to comply with rules over the size and make-up of their squads.

The Premier League says the new rules are designed to increase the number of young 'home-grown' players in the Premier League, with a long-term aim of giving more options to the England manager.

But what will they actually mean in practice. BBC Sport explains the key points of the new system:

- Clubs register a squad of up to 25 players, which must include at least eight 'home-grown' players, at the end of each transfer window.

- Home-grown players do not have to be English; home-grown players are defined as those who "irrespective of nationality or age, have been affiliated to the FA or Welsh FA for a period of three seasons or 36 months prior to 21st birthday"

- Clubs can supplement squad with unlimited number of players under the age of 21.

- Changes can be made only during transfer windows, although in exceptional circumstances (eg goalkeeping injury crisis) moves could be allowed.

- Players loaned to Football League clubs cannot be replaced, but can regain their spot on return to parent club.

- Rules apply only to Premier League matches, not European, FA Cup or League Cup action.

- First deadline is 1700 BST on 1 September (24 hours after end of August transfer window).