Iliev tragedy overshadows title race
Wednesday, 14 September 2005

by Stoyan Georgievfrom Sofia



The usual suspects lead the way in the Bulgarian Premier League with PFC Levski Sofia topping the table, though the early part of the season has been overshadowed by the assassination of PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936 president Georgi Iliev.

Top-two encounter
Levski began the season in impressive fashion with three wins, but have since dropped four points in their next two matches. The UEFA Cup hopefuls had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw at newly promoted PFC Makedonska Slava, before achieving the same scoreline at home against reigning champions PFC CSKA Sofia in the biggest domestic game of the season so far.

Telkiyski levels
CSKA Sofia went into the game on the back of a 5-1 win at PFC Belasitza Petrich and they took the lead through Velizar Dimitrov, only for Levski's Dimitar Telkiyski to reply almost immediately. The draw enabled Levski to stay top, one point ahead of CSKA Sofia who have a game in hand.

Trio waiting
However, should Miodrag Ješic's side fail to seize the initiative in their additional match, PFC Slavia Sofia, PFC Lokomotiv Sofia or newcomers PFC Vihren Sandanski are ready to take advantage as they trail the leaders by two points with a game in hand.

Newcomers impress
Vihren have made an strong start to the season, thanks to the form of their rejuvenated player-coach Georgi Bachev. Fellow newcomers Pirin have also made steady progress since promotion last season, having already denied Levski victory, as well as winning at UEFA Cup entrants PFC Litex Lovech and PFC Naftex Burgas.

Iliev tragedy
However, Iliev's death has dominated headlines, the Plovdiv president having been shot just 40 minutes after watching his side qualify for the UEFA Cup first round. His widow Maya Ilieva has since taken over his club duties. Loko Plovdiv join Levski, Litex and CSKA Sofia in the first round of the UEFA Cup, meaning Bulgaria will be represented by four clubs in the competition for the first time.

Stoyanov steps down
Elsewhere, Roumen Stoyanov has resigned as coach of PFC Marek Dupnitza. The club were on the verge of financial collapse during the summer, but the arrival of Yordan Andreev as their new president saved them from relegation to the amateur divisions. However, Marek have struggled so far so this season, taking just four points from five games - leaving them languishing in 12th position.

©uefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.

Curtain raises on U17 competition
Friday, 16 September 2005

by Andrew Haslam

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Forty-eight sides will begin their campaigns to earn a place in next year's UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament in Luxembourg as the qualifying round kicks off around Europe this week.

Finnish start
Seven of the eight sides who contested the 2004/05 finals in Italy are present in this season's qualifying round, including Turkey - although the holders do not get their campaign under way until mid-October. The action kicks off in Finland on 19 September, with Greece, Slovakia and Bosnia-Herzegovina travelling to Scandinavia to contest Group 7.

Polish intent
A day later Group 8 begins in Poland, with the mini-tournament hosts - who will be eager to impress ahead of the U19 finals in their country next summer - up against Liechtenstein, Moldova and Norway. Then, on 22 September, Wales is the venue for Group 12, which also includes Switzerland - who reached the group stage in the 2005 finals - Estonia and Kazakhstan. The following day, mini-tournament hosts Andorra's game with Iceland marks the opening fixtures in Group 6, with Sweden and the Czech Republic also meeting on that first day.

Hungarian hopes
Hungary will hope to capitalise on home advantage to progress from Group 10, which also incorporates Albania, Cyprus and Scotland, with the action beginning on 26 September. Two sections start a day later, with Lithuania and Ukraine the locations. Northern Ireland, Malta and Serbia and Montenegro join the Lithuanians in Group 1, while Italy - third on home soil last May - Latvia and Republic of Ireland travel to Ukraine for Group 2.

Familiar foes
On 29 September, two of the qualifiers from Italy are involved again as the Netherlands - runners-up in the 2005 finals - and mini-tournament hosts Belarus, who were unable to progress beyond the group stage last season, contest Group 11 with Denmark and Slovenia.

Semi-final rematch
The remaining four sections will be concluded in the second half of October, with 2003 champions Portugal facing Germany in Group 5 when the pair will be confident of progressing with San Marino and the Faroe Islands forming the opposition. Across Europe, Group 9 kicks off in F.Y.R. Macedonia on 16 October, which will feature a rematch of the semi-final between Croatia and Turkey from this year's event. Romania are the fourth side in what looks to be a strong section.

Israeli opportunity
Belgium are at home for the penultimate section, Group 3, which also involves Austria, Bulgaria and Georgia. The qualifying round is completed on 28 October as Group 4, which features hosts Israel - who lost all three matches in Italy having unexpectedly qualified - Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. Spain, England - the only one of the three to qualify for last season's finals - and France will enter the tournament in the Elite round, which takes place next spring. The eight-team final tournament is to be held in Luxembourg from 3 to 14 May 2006.

2005/06 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round:

Pos     Gr 1     Gr 2     Gr 3     Gr 4
1     Northern Ireland     Italy     Belgium     Israel
2     Serbia and Montenegro     Ukraine     Austria     Russia
3     Malta     Latvia     Georgia     Azerbaijan
4     Lithuania     Republic of Ireland     Bulgaria     Armenia

Pos     Gr 5     Gr 6     Gr 7     Gr 8
1     Portugal     Iceland     Finland     Moldova
2     Germany     Czech Republic     Greece     Poland
3     San Marino     Andorra     Slovakia     Liechtenstein
4     Faroe Islands     Sweden     Bosnia-Herzegovina     Norway

Pos

    Gr 9     Gr 10     Gr 11     Gr 12
1     Turkey     Hungary     Netherlands     Wales
2     Croatia     Scotland     Denmark     Switzerland
3     Romania     Albania     Slovenia     Kazakhstan
4     F.Y.R. Macedonia     Cyprus     Belarus     Estonia

Spain, England and France enter in Elite round along with top two from each group and the best third-placed team. The winners of each second-stage group, to be drawn after first round, then join hosts Luxembourg at the final tournament.

©uefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.

De Jong aiming to leave Ajax
Wednesday, 7 December 2005



Nigel de Jong has announced he intends to leave AFC Ajax at the season's end. "My thinking is that I have to make this step in my career, and this is what I will do," the Dutch international midfielder said. He added that he has had no contact with other clubs as he wanted to inform Ajax first. The 21-year-old has scored eight goals in 91 Eredivisie games for Ajax.

German Bundesliga outfit Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Czech Under-21 international Michal Papadopulos from FC Baník Ostrava for an undisclosed fee. The forward has agreed a deal until June 2009. "We are delighted we were able to sign him," said Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler. "He is very strong in the air and very quick - a typical striker." Leaving the club, however, is German Under-19 international Sascha Dum. The teenager will join 2. Bundesliga team TSV Alemannia Aachen on an 18-month loan from January.

FC Barcelona's Spanish international midfielder Xavi Hernández faces a confirmed six-month absence following surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury, but remains confident of recovering in time for the FIFA World Cup. "There are many months until the World Cup," he said. "I have spoken to [Spain coach] Luis Aragonés. He told me he's counting on me."

The draw has been made for the last 16 of the Spanish Cup, with the following ties to be played over two legs on 4 and 11 January: Villarreal CF v Valencia CF, RC Celta de Vigo v Real Betis Balompié, Getafe CF v RCD Espanyol, RC Deportivo La Coruña v CA Osasuna, Cádiz CF v Sevilla FC, Athletic Club Bilbao v Real Madrid CF, Zamora CF v FC Barcelona, Club Atlético de Madrid v Real Zaragoza.

Bulgarian international striker Martin Kamburov will join United Arab Emirates side Al-Ahli from PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936. The 25-year-old, Bulgaria's top scorer for the last two seasons, has signed a four-and-a-half year contract and will move in January. "I am happy with the deal," said the former PFC Spartak Pleven player who has registered 73 goals for Plovdiv.

Sergei Borovski has been appointed coach of Belarussian club FC Dinamo Brest. The 49-year-old has inked a one-year contract to replace Mikhail Markhel, with an option for a further year. Borovski is a former Belarus national team coach. He arrives from FK Vetra, whom he guided to fourth place in Lithuania this year.

R. Charleroi SC midfielder Sébastien Chabaud is unlikely to play again this season after tearing ligaments in his right knee. The 28-year-old was injured during Saturday's Belgian First Division match against RAA Louvièroise and doctors estimate his recovery time at six months.

Goalkeeper Oscar Moens of Dutch Eredivisie side Willem II is to undergo surgery on damaged tendons in his foot and will be out until January. The 32-year-old had his foot put in plaster two weeks ago, but it has not healed as expected and he faces a further four-week lay-off.

UEFA Cup contenders AFC Rapid Bucuresti are the only Romanian club still fighting on three fronts after reaching the Romanian Cup semi-finals. Rapid beat CS Politehnica Iasi 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal from Robert Ilyes. Elsewhere, FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara lost 3-2 to FC Petrolul Ploiesti, FC Farul Constanta defeated CS Jiul Petrosani 1-0, while FC National Bucuresti edged past FC Otelul Galati on penalties.

Luxembourg's most successful club, AS Jeunesse Esch, have sacked coach Harald Kohr. The German had been in charge since the summer but had reportedly fallen out with several players. Jeunesse Esch are third in the table after 14 rounds.

Pupil puts pressure on Petrović
Friday, 9 December 2005

by Stoyan Georgievfrom Sofia

Coach Stanimir Stoilov will come face to face with his mentor Ljupko Petrović as PFC Levski Sofia take on PFC Litex Lovech in a must-win game on Friday.

Stalking horses
The biggest match in Bulgaria is traditionally the meeting of capital rivals PFC CSKA Sofia and Levski - the country's two most successful clubs. However, since 1997, a side from outside Sofia has been regularly challenging the metropolis's mightiest teams.

Recent arrivals
Up until then, Litex - formerly known as Osam or Karpachev Lovech - had won nothing and played most of their football in the second division. However, since the arrival of major shareholder Grisha Ganchev, they have landed two league championships and two Bulgarian Cups.

Off the pace
Litex look unlikely to claim a third title this term, trailing Premier League leaders CSKA by 14 points, but Friday's visit of Levski could prove a pivotal moment in the championship race. Seven points adrift of CSKA, if second-placed Levski fail to win they will all but hand the crown to their arch-rivals.

UEFA Cup joy
Games between Litex and Levski have been tense affairs in recent years and this season's should be no exception to that rule. With both sides having enjoyed excellent autumn campaigns in the UEFA Cup, qualifying for the last 32, they will approach the tie in confident mood.

Neutral territory
The match will be played on neutral territory in Sevlievo as Litex received a one-game stadium ban after a supporter attacked referee Angel Angelov during their previous home fixture. The Bulgarian Football Union has also appointed a German referee, Franz Xaver Wack, to officiate.

Added spice
Extra spice will be added by the relationship between Levski coach Stoilov and his Litex counterpart Petrović, who led Levski in 1999/00 and 2000/01 and made it clear at the time that his captain - Stoilov - was destined to coach the club one day.

Former mentor
He was right. Petrović, who won the European Champion Clubs' Cup in charge of FK Crvena Zvezda in 1990/91, is pleased to see his charge doing well. "I hope Stanimir can surpass my achievements," said the 58-year-old, in his second spell at Litex. "He is hard-working and has the ability to succeed."

Petrović confident
However, while Stoilov's Levski are above Litex in the table, the Serbo-Montenegrin is in no doubt his team have the ability to spoil Stoilov's day. "If we play the right way, we will win," he said. "I hope we will see a quality game and I want to see maximum effort from my players."

Stoilov calm
Stoilov, 38, was eager to ease the pressure on his side, saying: "Even if we drop points against Litex, I do not think the title race with CSKA will be over. Our fixture list for the second half of the season is quite easy, while CSKA have some tough away games and the lead could be cut."

Injury fears
Levski's Lucio Wagner and Igor Tomašić are both expected to line up in Sevlievo despite carrying minor knocks, while Litex's Slovenian striker Milivoje Novakovič hopes to shake off a cold before kick-off. "Both teams know each other very well and I expect no surprises," said Stoilov.

©uefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.

Winter brings joy for CSKA
Monday, 12 December 2005

by Stoyan Georgievfrom Sofia



Reigning champions PFC CSKA Sofia look to be on the way to a 31st Bulgarian title after going into the winter break seven points clear at the top of the table.

Still unbeaten
Yet to be beaten in the league, with 13 defeats and just one draw - a 1-1 against their arch-rivals, second-placed PFC Levski Sofia - they have been in awesome form. They have scored 53 league goals and signed off for the autumn in style with a 6-0 win against PFC Vihren Sandanski.

Final steps
This week, the club can also complete their passage to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup. Should Miodra Ješić's side get the result they need against AS Monaco FC, it would complete a tremendous European autumn for Bulgarian sides, with all three UEFA Cup representatives progressing through the group stage.

Levski shock
Levski did well in the UEFA Cup but go into the winter break on something of a sour note after losing their first league game of the season 1-0 against fellow UEFA Cup contenders PFC Litex Lovech on 9 December. Ljupko Petrović's Litex are in fine form having climbed up to fourth in the table.

Lokomotiv buoyant
Experienced coach Stefan Grozdanov has managed to lead PFC Lokomotiv Sofia into third place in the table in the autumn to boost their chances of snaring a European finish in the spring. Just three points adrift of Levski, they also boast one of the season's rising stars in Tsvetan Genkov.

Vihren surprise
Vihren ended their autumn campaign being mauled by CSKA, but they remain the surprise package of the season so far having hauled their way into tenth place. Some credit for that can go to Portuguese forward José Emilio Furtado who has scored ten goals. However, he is expected to join CSKA in the winter.

Star player
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936 are fifth in the table and still recovering from the assassination of club president Georgi Iliev back in August and the sacking of coach Eduard Eranosyan in October. Having seen their star player Martin Kamburov join Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates, they may be in for a tough spring.

Grim spring
Not, however, as tough as the one that awaits once-mighty PFC Naftex Bourgas who are rooted to the foot of the table. They look set for an ugly scrap to avoid relegation along with PFC Marek Dupnitza, PFC Pirin 1922 and PFC Rodopa Smolian.

©uefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.

High-fliers aim for the top
Friday, 23 December 2005


Click here to read the uefa.com Magazine. In this week's edition:

High-fliers aim for Champions League
Famous names like Tottenham Hotspur FC and R. Standard de Liège as well as unfancied CA Osasuna and CD Nacional are aiming for 2006/07 UEFA Champions League campaigns.

OM's still waters run deep
Watching Olympique de Marseille lurch from crisis to crisis used to be commonplace; now stability is bringing success back to the club. Christian Châtelet reports on an unusual calm at the Stade Vélodrome.

UEFA Cup restores Bulgarian belief
That both PFC Levski Sofia and PFC Litex Lovech have reached the UEFA Cup Round of 32 has ensured Bulgaria's best season in European competition for many years.

Chiellini at home with Juve
Juventus fans are used to high-profile foreign signings, but watching a young Italian break into the side is a rarity. Paolo Menicucci charts the sudden rise of Azzurri defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Norway rise for Berntsen
Bjarne Berntsen reflects on a successful year as coach of Norway six months after leading his side to the final of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ in his first tournament in charge.

Shark, the herald angels sing
Why has FC Barcelona sensation Lionel Messi been swimming with the fishes? And which famous coach has the second best hair in the United Kingdom? Off the Ball reveals all.

©uefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.

Ferdinand commits to future
Friday, 6 January 2006

England Under-21 defender Anton Ferdinand has signed a new four-and-a-half year deal with West Ham United FC. The 20-year-old defender, the younger brother of Manchester United FC and England centre-back Rio, joined the club in 2001 and has been a regular part of the side since making his debut in August 2003. Manager Alan Pardew told the club's website: "I'm overjoyed that we have signed another of our top young players on a long-term contract and Anton fully deserves the new deal."

RC Strasbourg have signed Ivorian defender Edgar Loué Gnoleba from Moroccan club Raja Casablanca. The 23-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year with the Ligue 1 side, and coach Jacky Duguépéroux believes he will soon be gracing Ligue 1 and the UEFA Cup. "His arrival will help us to cope with departures of Karim Haggui and Hosni Rabo to the African Cup of Nations," he said.

Everton FC have taken FC Thun defender José Gonçalves on trial after he impressed in the UEFA Champions League. The 20-year-old Portuguese-born left-back played all six of the Swiss club's group-stage matches.

PFC CSKA Sofia captain Emil Gargorov has extended his contract with the reigning Bulgarian champions, committing to the club until June 2008. The international midfielder, 24, has scored a remarkable 43 goals in 81 games for the club, is delighted with the deal, saying: "I feel great at CSKA and I am happy for the new contract. Now, I am looking forward to winning the league title again."

Icelandic striker Gardar Gunnlaugsson has completed his move from Valur Reykjavík to Scottish Premier League outfit Dunfermline Athletic FC. The 22-year-old has signed an 18-month contract. Staying in Scotland, Dundee United FC have signed Celtic FC youngster Charlie Mulgrew on loan until the end of the season, while Falkirk FC have agreed an 18-month deal with Republic of Ireland under-19 midfielder Patrick Cregg, who leaves Arsenal FC.

Poland Under-21 goalkeeper Bartosz Białkowski has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with English second level side Southampton FC. The 18-year-old moved has joined the club as a free agent after leaving Górnik Zabrze in the summer, but his old side will receive compensation. He will join fellow Poles Kamil Kosowski and Tomasz Hajto at Southampton.

Belgian club SV Zulte-Waregem have signed striker Gunther Thiebaut on a free transfer from 2. Bundesliga side 1. 1. FC Saarbrücken. The 28-year-old has a contract until summer 2008. Also in Belgium, KSV Cercle Brugge have signed 23-year-old defender Anthony Portier from second division side KV Oostende. No transfer fee has been revealed for the player who has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club.

Finally, another Belgian First Division side, KVC Westerlo, are set to take Chelsea FC prospect Emanuel Sarki, 18, on loan, while the English club have handed England Under-19 midfielder Jimmy Smith a contract extension until 2008.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

Kristiansen coup for Nürnberg
Wednesday, 11 January 2006

AFC Rapid Bucuresti's UEFA Cup hopes have been hit by the departure of midfielder Robert Ilyes. The 31-year-old's contract was due to expire in February, after the Round of 32 tie against Hertha BSC Berlin, but he has left to join Azerbaijani club FK Khazar Lenkoran on a two-and-a-half year deal. Ilyes played 103 times in four and a half seasons at Rapid, winning one Romanian championship and one Romanian Cup.

German side 1. FC Nürnberg are to complete a move for Danish international defender Jan Kristiansen from Esbjerg fB. The versatile 24-year-old will join the Bundesliga strugglers subject to a medical and the rubber-stamping of personal terms. "We want him to sign a contract until summer 2008 with an option to stay even longer," said football director Martin Bader.

English Premiership club Blackburn Rovers FC have agreed to release 28-year-old striker Matt Jansen as he looks to kick-start his playing career. He has struggled to recover his best form and fitness since a motorcycle accident in 2002.

Spanish strugglers Deportivo Alavés are to sign 24-year-old Bulgaria midfielder Blagoy Georgiev on loan from PFC Slavia Sofia until the season's end, with the option of a permanent switch if the club avoid relegation from the Primera División. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder Élton Giovanni has been cleared to make his debut four weeks after arriving from Santos FC in his homeland.

Real Betis Balompié midfielder Juanlu has been loaned to second division side Albacete Balompié after failing to win a regular place since his summer transfer from CD Numancia. The 25-year-old Juanlu has made just three Primera División appearances and one in the UEFA Champions League.

Brazilian striker Jajá is poised to pen a four-year contract with Getafe CF after passing a medical at the Primera División club. The 19-year-old, who has scored ten goals in 18 games for KVC Westerlo this season while on loan from Feyenoord, is expected to complete the move to Spain tomorrow.

French side AS Saint-Etienne have signed 20-year-old Argentinian youth international Ignacio Piatti on a four-and-a-half year contract from Chacaritas Juniors. "He's a combative player who has had to fight in a second division team. He has all the spirit and skill required to strengthen our squad," St-Etienne coach Elie Baup said of the attacking midfielder.

Polish champions Wisła Kraków, who celebrate their centenary this year, have secured the services of Australian international Michael Thwaite. The 22-year-old defender has inked a five-year deal starting on 1 July. Thwaite will remain at his current club, Romania's FC National Bucuresti, until his contract expires on 30 June. "Thwaite is a very good, tall and tough player who can play anywhere across the back line," Wisła coach Dan Petrescu said.

Bulgarian champions PFC CSKA Sofia have signed Serbo-Montenegrin international goalkeeper Oliver Kovacević. The former FK Zeleznik and Samsunspor player arrives on a three-year contract and as a free agent. The 31-year-old will fill the gap left by the departure of his compatriot Dejan Maksić.

Serbo-Montenegrin midfielder Darko Anic has joined Rio Ave FC on loan from Portuguese Liga rivals CD Nacional for the rest of the season. The much-travelled 31-year-old had made just six appearances for Nacional this term.

Roda JC winger Mohammed Elberkani has left Dutch football to join K. Lierse SK of Belgium on a free transfer. The 23-year-old has not played a first-team game this term, having spent the 2004/05 campaign on loan at SC Fortuna Sittard. He has a contract until the end of the season, with the option of a further year.

Scottish Premier League team Livingston FC have acquired the services of striker Steve Hislop on a two-and-a-half year contract from English lower-league outfit Gillingham FC. "We have had a long look at Steve and believe he can add something to the team," Livingston manager Paul Lambert said of the 27-year-old.

Lee Johnson has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Heart of Midlothian FC after the Scottish title challengers agreed a nominal fee with English club Yeovil Town FC. The 24-year-old midfielder said: "Once I knew Graham Rix was interested, there was only one place I wanted to come. He has an absolutely fabulous reputation and I'm really excited about working with him."

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

Arrache aggravates injury
Sunday, 15 January 2006

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French side RC Strasbourg will be without left-back Salim Arrache for between three weeks and a month after he aggravated a pulled muscle that had kept him out of action since early December. He is doubtful for Strasbourg's UEFA Cup round of 32 first leg against PFC Litex Lovech on 15 February.

LOSC Lille Métropole have recruited the former French international Jocelyn Angloma to act as a scout in the Caribbean and South America. The former Lille defender has represented some of Europe's leading clubs, including Olympique de Marseille, FC Internazionale Milano and Valencia CF.

Former England and Arsenal FC captain Tony Adams will start work at FC Utrecht on Monday as a trainee coach. The Dutch club's website said Adams was being added to the first team technical staff on a "work placement" in a similar capacity to his recent stint at Feyenoord.

Momčilo Vukotić has been appointed coach of Romanian club FC Farul Constanta. The 55-year-old Serbo-Montenegrin has signed a six-month contract, and has set a goal of winning the Romanian Cup, in which Farul have already reached the semi-finals.

Also in Romania, CS Jiul Petrosani have appointed Aurel Sunda as their latest coach, replacing Ionut Chirila who stood down on Saturday after only six months in charge. Jiul are only three points clear of the relegation zone after 15 games and have also been eliminated from the Romanian Cup.

FC Basel 1893 have announced that Argentinian midfielder Matías Delgado has signed a new contract that will tie him to the club until 2008. Delgado has been in sensational form and the new deal comes as a big relief to the club, who have already seen Argentinian stars Christian Giménez and Julio Rossi leave the club this season.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

Braga defender to bolster Mallorca
Wednesday, 18 January 2006

RCD Mallorca have signed Portuguese defender José Nunes in a €2.5m deal from SC Braga. The 28-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Primera División strugglers. "I'm very happy to be here," Nunes said. "We have finally sorted everything out after a few days of negotiations. I'm ambitious and I want to prove my ability in the best league there is."

Bundesliga outfit MSV Duisburg have achieved a notable coup with the signing of Romanian international Mihai Tararache from Swiss side FC Zürich. The German club have spent €500,000 on the 28-year-old midfielder, who has secured a contract until summer 2008. "He will fit perfectly into our squad because he knows how to fight," said new Duisburg coach Jürgen Kohler.

CF Estrela da Amadora have signed Argentinian striker Julio Bevacqua on loan from CA San Lorenzo. The 25-year-old switches from Portuguese Liga rivals Braga, for whom he scored twice before his temporary spell there ran out. The club have also extended the trial of left-sided Senegalese player Nday.

Hungarian league leaders Újpesti TE have strengthened their squad for the second half of the season by signing Under-21 international striker Tibor Tisza from Diósgyőr BFC. The 21-year-old has inked a three-and-a-half year deal. He has scored 15 goals in 42 league starts.

In the Netherlands, FC Utrecht have recruited Willem II's Tom Caluwé for an undisclosed fee and fellow midfielder Adil Ramzi on loan from AZ Alkmaar. Caluwé, a 27-year-old Belgian, has agreed a contract until the end of the 2008/09 season, while Moroccan Ramzi, 28, arrives in search of first-team football for the remainder of the campaign.

AC Ajaccio forward Christophe Bastien has returned to his first club, AS Nancy-Lorraine, on a six-month deal. The 29-year-old scored 15 goals in 86 league games for the French team before leaving for FC Metz at the close of the 1998/99 season.

Polish title hopefuls Legia Warszawa have extended the contract of promising defender Jakub Rzeźniczak until 31 December 2010. The 19-year-old has already played 40 top-flight matches.

PFC CSKA Sofia have made Serbo-Montenegrin defender Aleksandar Mutavdzić their seventh recruit of the transfer window. The 29-year-old, who arrives from R. Standard de Liège where he was out of favour, needs only complete the formalities of the move to link up with fellow new boys Georgi Iliev, Daniel Georgiev, Kiril Kotev, Aleksandar Tunchev, José Emilio Furtado and Oliver Kovacević at the Bulgarian league leaders.

Cypriot champions Anorthosis Famagusta FC have landed Greek defender Nikolaos Zapropoulos on an 18-month contract from Skoda Xanthi FC. The 27-year-old joins compatriots Nikos Katsavakis and Giorgos Xenidis in the Anorthosis back line.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

Transfer frenzy at CSKA Sofia
Tuesday, 24 January 2006

by Stoyan Georgievfrom Sofia

The in and out doors have been swinging at PFC CSKA Sofia as the Bulgarian giants prepare to restart the season with a new-look defence.

Outward bound
Coach Miodrag Ješić could afford to be unconcerned when Serbo-Montenegrin goalkeeper Dejan Maksić and Senegalese defender Ibrahima Gueye moved to Turkish side Samsunspor while Slovakian international right-back Radoslav Zabavník joined Czech team AC Slavia Praha, having already lined up replacements.

Incoming players
Oliver Kovacević will replace his countryman Maksić in goal, signing on a free transfer after starting the campaign in Turkey with Samsunspor, while defenders Aleksandar Tunchev, Kiril Kotev and Daniel Georgiev were among four players – including Georgi Iliev – recruited from PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936.

Serbian signing
Left-back Aleksandar Mutavdzić, who has played for FK Rad as well as Belgian clubs KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen and R. Standard de Liège, will provide further competition in defence, while Portuguese striker José Emilio Furtado will give CSKA another attacking option after arriving from PFC Vihren Sandanski.

Quiet winter
PFC Levski Sofia have been having a quiet winter as they prepare for their UEFA Cup meeting with FC Artmedia. Coach Stanimir Stoilov has kept faith with his squad while captain Elin Topuzakov is still on board despite receiving a good offer from Russia's FC Luch-Energia Vladivostok - who have just won promotion to the Premier-Liga.

Litex moves
Bulgaria's other UEFA Cup participant, PFC Litex Lovech, have brought in defender Martin Kovachev from PFC Spartak Varna and have also landed Bosnia-Herzegovnian midfielder Vladan Grujić, who has played for FK Crvena Zvezda, 1. FC Köln and FC Alania Vladikavkaz.

Foreign climes
Other moves have seen PFC Slavia Sofia captain Blagoi Georgiev join Spanish Primera División strugglers Deportivo Alavés on loan until the season's end, and PFC Lokomotiv Sofia's former Bulgarian international Svetoslav Petrov switch to Azerbaijani champions PFC Neftchi.

Botev roundabout
PFC Botev Plovdiv have named their third coach of the season, with Atanas Marinov taking over after they failed to reach terms with Italian Corrado Cotta. Yassen Petrov and Trifon Pachev have already crashed and burned this term.

Bachev reconciled
Finally, PFC Marek Dupnitza have taken on Stoyan Kotsev to replace coach Sasho Pargov while Georgi Bachev has settled his differences with Vihren Sandanski president Kostadin Dinev and returns to his post as player-coach two months after walking out.

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Etxeberria blow for Athletic
Wednesday, 25 January 2006

Struggling Athletic Club Bilbao will be without key forward Joseba Etxeberria for up to a month after the former Spain winger suffered a thigh strain during Sunday's Basque derby at Real Sociedad de Fútbol. Etxeberria, 28, injured his right leg during the first half of the 3-3 draw which left Athletic second from bottom in the Primera División.

The Luxembourg Football Federation has announced that Guy Hellers' national team will take on Belgium in a friendly international at the Josy Barthel stadium on 1 March. The two countries have failed to qualify for both UEFA EURO 2004™ and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Bulgarian league leaders PFC CSKA Sofia will be missing striker Stoyko Sakaliev for at least six weeks after the 26-year-old suffered the recurrence of a knee injury. Sakaliev will therefore be out of contention when the Premier League season resumes on 4 March.

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Petrov plumps for Celtic extension
Friday, 27 January 2006


Bulgaria captain Stilian Petrov has ended speculation about his future at Celtic FC by extending his contract by two years until the summer of 2009, with an option for an extra season.

'Quality player'
The 26-year-old midfielder's decision to stay in Glasgow is a major boost for Celtic as they bid to regain the Scottish title they lost to Rangers FC on the final day of last term. "Everyone at the club is delighted we have secured the services of such a quality player," said chief executive Peter Lawwell.

'High ambitions'
"The Celtic board is pleased to retain such a talent at Celtic Park and we will continue to do all we can to support the manager in his plans for the future. This signing confirms the board's high ambitions." Petrov, who has played more than 250 matches for Celtic after arriving from PFC CSKA Sofia in 1999, could extend the deal by another 12 months if both parties agree.

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