Defoe reveals heartache behind his new lease of life

England striker Jermain Defoe has revealed the secret torment he went through watching his half-brother die at the age of just 26 and says it has inspired him to produce the best form of his life.

Defoe, who has scored six goals already for Tottenham and England this season, is rapidly becoming a key player for his country and is a serious contender to partner Wayne Rooney as Fabio Capello's side prepare for the World Cup.

The 26-year-old hopes to play a part in England's friendly against Slovenia on Saturday and the crucial qualifier against Croatia at Wembley four days later when victory would be enough to ensure the team reaches South Africa.

But Defoe admitted his impressive form has been fired by personal tragedy. Click to read more...

68,000 fans seek volunteer jobs at SAfrica's World Cup

Nearly 68,000 people have applied to become volunteers for the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa, more than four times the number needed, organisers said Tuesday.

"The programme has certainly proved to be hugely popular, and we are honoured by the incredible response we have received from around the world," Danny Jordaan, head of the local organising committee, said in a statement.

A total of 67,999 fans applied for volunteer jobs, topping the 48,167 applications received for the last World Cup in Germany, the statement said.

Fans from 170 countries applied, mostly from South Africa, but with Nigeria, the United States, Brazil and Zimbabwe posting the largest number of hopefuls.

Fans applied to assist in areas such as administrative support, hospitality and ushering services, information technology and telecommunications.

The applications will now be interviewed to decide on who receives the 15,000 spots. Source from...

Everton land Heitinga, Spurs sign Kranjcar on deadline day

Everton signed Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga from Atletico Madrid for six million pounds (6.8 million euros) just before the transfer window shut on Tuesday.

Heitinga agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club and the move was announced in the final hour before the 1600GMT deadline.

The 25-year-old follows French defender Sylvain Distin to Goodison Park as Toffees boss David Moyes strengthens his back-four after Joleon Lescott's move to Manchester City.

Atletico could eventually receive seven million pounds (7.8 million euros) for the Holland international due to clauses in the terms of the deal.

On a relatively low-key transfer deadline day, Tottenham swooped for Portsmouth's Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp moved for Kranjcar, who cost a reported 2.5 million pounds (2.8 million euros), after Croatian playmaker Luka Modric suffered a broken leg, which will keep him out for six weeks, against Birmingham on Saturday. Click to read more...

Ranieri returns to Roma to replace Spalletti

Claudio Ranieri has agreed to become the new coach of Roma, his lawyer announced on Tuesday, hours after Luciano Spalletti left his job as manager of the Serie A heavyweights.

"There's an agreement and tomorrow (Wednesday) there'll be a signature," Ranieri's lawyer Mattia Grassani told Italian news agency Ansa.

"The contract will be for two years."

Ranieri, 57, was sacked as coach of Roma's rivals Juventus two games prior to the end of last season after a sequence of underwhelming results.

The former Napoli, Fiorentina, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea coach agreed to join the 'Giallorossi' after a meeting on Tuesday morning with club president Rosella Sensi. Click to read more...

Milner rejects Croat kicking allegations

England winger James Milner has ruled out conspiracy theories that Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was deliberately injured ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifier at Wembley next week.

Croatia FA chiefs are frustrated that key midfielder Modric broke a leg in a tackle with Birmingham's Lee Bowyer just 10 days before a match against England that could decide the World Cup fate of both teams.

They already have bitter memories of how key striker Eduardo also suffered a broken leg playing against the same opposition for Arsenal in February 2008 and Croatia FA supremo Vlatko Markovic on Tuesday said: "First Eduardo, now Luka Modric. This is horrible. I can only ask myself if it was really an accident.

"I'm close to thinking it was done to us deliberately before the England match. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what happened to Luka. He is irreplaceable." Click to read more...

Rooney - I'd never walk out on Man Utd

Wayne Rooney insists there is no chance he would ever walk out on Manchester United.

England striker Rooney saw Cristiano Ronaldo quit Old Trafford to join Real Madrid in a world-record 80 million pounds (129 million dollars) deal during the close-season.

But Rooney, who joined United from Everton in 2004, is enjoying life with Sir Alex Ferguson's team too much to consider turning his back on the Premier League champions.

The 23-year-old is United's main attacking threat now Ronaldo has gone and he has responded with a superb start to the season. Click to read more...

Van der Vaart to stay at Real - player

Real Madrid have decided to keep midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, the player himself has announced, despite reports he was set to join the Dutch exodus at the club.

Real Madrid "assured me that they believe in my qualities, and they want me to stay in the club," van der Vaart said on his official website late Monday, the last day of the official summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old has reportedly been among a number of players on the transfer list as new club president Florentino Perez sought to recoup some of the more than 250 million euros he has splashed out on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso.

Three Dutch players -- Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar -- have already left Real in the close season. Click to read more...

Gudjohnsen excited about Monaco challenge

Iceland international striker Eidur Gudjohnsen said he is excited about the new challenge of playing for Monaco in the French first division this season after completing his move from Barcelona.

Gudjohnsen joined the Spanish giants in 2006 from Chelsea, playing 72 league matches over three seasons and helping the club to win the Champions League, the league title and the Kings Cup.

However lack of match time last season prompted the Iceland striker to seek a move elsewhere and at the weekend Monaco snapped him up for a reported fee of around two million euros.

"It's a new challenge for me. Monaco are a club with a great history," said Gudjohnsen after leaving the Stade Louis II Monday. Click to read more...

Transfer Gossip on Deadline Day

It's Transfer Deadline Day! Here's a look at some of the players who are in demand.

David Bentley - Tottenham

Rumoured clubs - Man City

Niko Kranjcar & David James - Portsmouth

Rumoured clubs - Tottenham

David Villa - Valencia

Rumoured clubs - Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United

Benjani - Man City

Rumoured clubs - Hull, Portsmouth...Click to read more...

BPL Transfer News - Latest

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is set for more deadline-day action as he considers a move for Portsmouth duo Niko Kranjcar and David James.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is closing in on Kranjcar as cover for injured midfielder Luka Modric and he needs another goalkeeper, although signing a 39-year-old in James would represent a major shift in transfer policy as the club normally target players with re-sale potential. Click to read more...

Cole targets last shot at World Cup glory

Ashley Cole believes the 2010 World Cup in South Africa represents the last chance for his generation of England stars to win a major international tournament.

Fabio Capello's side can book their place in next year's finals with a victory over Croatia at Wembley on September 9 and Chelsea left-back Cole is well aware that for players of his age there might not be another chance to shine in the World Cup.

Cole, 28, and the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand are all in the latter stages of their careers, leaving South Africa as their final shot at ending England's wait to win the tournament for the first time since 1966.

"We've all grown up. We've started to realise that this World Cup finals could be our last tournament," Cole said. Click to read more...

Grosso Juve deal agreed, say press

Juventus have come to agreement over the three-million-euro transfer of Italy full-back Fabio Grosso from Lyon, according to Italian press reports on Monday.

The 32-year-old, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, will sign a two-year deal with the Turin club.

The news contradicted and earlier claim from Grosso's agent Beppe Bozzo that a miracle would be needed to complete the switch before the end of Monday's transfer deadline.
"Juve have made an offer that Lyon believe is too low.

As the hours pass and the end of the window approaches, it gets harder to reach a deal," Bozzo told Rai. Click to read more...

Vieira 'disappointed' at France snub, hints at US exile

Veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira said Monday that he had been massively disappointed when France coach Raymond Domenech snubbed him for upcoming crucial World Cup qualifiers against Romania and Serbia.

The Inter Milan star, who was part of France's World Cup-winning squad in 1998, has not played in the French national side since a poor showing in a June friendly with Nigeria which brought the 33-year-old a 107th cap.

He missed the 1-0 away win over the Faroe Islands on August 12.
"Yes, it was a massive disappointment because it's true that physically and mentally I had prepared myself for these two matches," Vieira said. Click to read more...

Wolves sign Castillo, Maierhofer

Premier League newboys Wolverhampton signed Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo on a season's loan from Red Star Belgrade on Monday.

Castillo spent last season on loan at Everton, making eight league appearances, but the Toffees opted not to sign him on a permanent basis.

The 27-year-old is Wolves boss Mick McCarthy's eighth signing since the end of last season as he seeks to establish the Molineux outfit in the English top-flight. Click to read more...

Debut goal for Ibrahimovic as Barca cruise to opening win

Club record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a late debut goal as Barcelona began their title defence with a convincing 3-0 home win over Sporting Gijon on Monday.

Birthday boy Bojan Krkic, who turned 19 three days ago, and Seydou Keita had put Barca 2-0 up at the interval before Ibrahimovic, a 69-million-euro capture from Inter Milan, netted his first goal for the club on 82 minutes.

It was a largely disappointing debut from Ibrahimovic, who was upstaged by brilliant teenager Bojan, but the goal will certainly lift some of the immense pressure to prove he is the equal of departed hero Samuel Eto'o.

Last season Barcelona lost 1-0 to Numancia on the opening day of the season but there was no slip-up this time around in a convincing win. Click to read more...