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.