Santos Brazilian Wonder Kid Striker Neymar To Wear Number 70 Shirt In Tribute To Pele

Neymar was chosen by Santos fans to wear the number 70 shirt on Sunday against Gremio Prudente.

Santos prodigy Neymar will forgo his usual number 11 shirt on Sunday against Gremio Prudente, in favour of number 70 chosen in homage to Peixe favorite son Pele's landmark birthday.

Globoesporte report that the forward was the runaway winner of a fans' poll commissioned to decide which player would have the honor of wearing the shirt in Sunday's match.

Neymar picked up 73% of the overall vote, with Arouca in a distant second with 11%. Before the results were announced, Neymar spoke about the possibility of honoring the Santos and Brazil hero in this way in a club press conference.

"I am going to honor him with pride. I believe that Pele is a source of inspiration for everybody, not just in football but across the sporting world. Unfortunately I never saw Pele play, but I have seen videos of his goals. I would take anything that Pele had to include in Neymar," the 18-year-old confessed in Thursday's interview.

Wayne Rooney Signs New Five-Year Contract To End Manchester United Exit Saga

Wayne Rooney has committed his future to Manchester United by signing a new five-year deal.

Wayne Rooney has performed a remarkable U-turn on his Manchester United future and has signed a new five-year contract days after he announced plans to leave.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson announced on Tuesday that the striker had informed him he would not ink a new deal.

A statement followed that night from Rooney that he had misgivings about the debt-ridden club's ambition and was immediately linked with Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea.

In a statement released on the United website, an agreement has been announced that followed, "intensive discussions between the club and the player’s representatives."

Rooney himself was "delighted" to tie his future to Old Trafford and revealed he had signed a new deal in the "absolute belief" the club are committed to maintaining its proud history.

He said: “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I’ve talked to the Manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the Manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.

“I’m signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the Club in the first place.

“I’m sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they’ve read and seen. But my position was from concern over the future. The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it’s up to me through my performances to win them over again.”

Ferguson was happy to draw a line over "a difficult week" and was pleased Rooney had "accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United’s great players".

“It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United. I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay," the 68-year-old stated.

“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realize just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.

“I’m pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United’s great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for.

“I’m sure everyone involved with the Club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of.”

Philippe Coutinho Finding His Place At Inter

When Internazionale sold Mario Balotelli to Manchester City, Inter patron Massimo Moratti claimed the youngster was dispensable in part because of the arrival of Philippe Coutinho.

Simultaneously, hordes of fans moved the cursor over to Google and typed in the Brazilian's name.

What they will have found out is that Coutinho is an 18-year-old attacker, diminutive in stature, who Inter bought as a 16-year-old and loaned back to Vasco da Gama for two seasons. They would have read that he became a starter in Brazil, leading Vasco back to the top division and shining for the Brazilian U-17 side.

What they won't have learned is how quickly Coutinho would adapt to Italy, though Rafael Benitez never had any doubts.

"He has many qualities, we're expecting him to do well straightaway," said Benítez at the press conference introducing Coutinho. "He can be the future of Inter."

In that press conference, the youngster revealed himself a humble and meek alternative to the brash malcontent of Balotelli. When asked if he played like Wesley Sneijder, Coutinho almost blushed.

"I resemble Sneijder? If only; I would like that, and how."

Benitez slowly eased Coutinho into the lineup in the early weeks, giving him substitute appearances. Against FC Twente, Coutinho played the last half hour and created two goal-scoring chances and took two shots. In the next Champions League matchup, Coutinho earned his first start, capitalizing on a shakeup from the loss to AS Roma and an injury to Diego Milito.

Inter won 4-0.

Coutinho has started the three matches since, in each further brushing aside his timidness. He even earned his debut for the Brazil national team against Iran earlier this month.

His watershed moment came Wednesday against Tottenham Hotspur. Floating in from his left flank like usual, the Brazilian combined ball control as tight as the curls in his hair with short sharp passing (he completed 65 out of 73 feeds) to dismantle Tottenham and give Inter a 4-0 lead by halftime.

Despite assisting one goal and creating another in the first half, Coutinho's slickest moments perhaps came in the second half when he moved more centrally alongside Sneijder. There he teamed up with his mentor to showcase a technically precise and eye-pleasing Inter fans won't be used to seeing.

Count Sneijder among his fans as well. "With his qualities he will make it; he will make it for sure," the Dutch playmaker told UEFA.com.






















It's still early. Coutinho will have many more obstacles to maneuver around in his slick fashion, including when Milito returns to fitness and when opposition teams start signaling him out for particularly rough marking. But thus far Coutinho is carving out his place in Inter.

"I thought it would be more difficult to come into a squad that won everything last season," Coutinho admitted to UEFA.com, "but, thank God, I immediately found my place."

The Transfer Deadline has finally close

Tottenham's apparent late attempt to sign Rafael van der Vaart ensured transfer deadline day was ending in drama.

The 27-year-old Dutch midfielder's future at Real Madrid has looked shaky - providing the opportunity for Spurs to try to clinch a last-minute signing.

According to reports, Van der Vaart was in talks at Tottenham's training ground.
With most Premier League clubs keeping their chequebooks firmly closed, analysts Deloitte said total spending this summer was around £330million - 22% down on last year.

Brazilian forward Robinho signed for AC Milan on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, variously reported as between £14million and £18million.

City, who signed the 26-year-old for a British record fee of £32.5million two years ago, will at least have his £160,000 weekly salary off the wage bill.

Gyan, the striker who made such an impact in the World Cup, joined Sunderland for £13million from French side Rennes.

Birmingham picked up former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb on a one-year loan from Barcelona, while the Gunners full-back Armand Traore joined Juventus, also on a season-long loan deal.

On a busy day for Birmingham, the Blues also signed Chile midfielder Jean Beausejour on a three-year deal - another player who made his mark in the World Cup - from Mexican side Club America and defender Martin Jiranek on a one-year contract from Spartak Moscow.

The Blues also allowed striker Marcus Bent to join midlands rivals Wolves on a four-month loan.

Wigan pounced for two signings, securing Chelsea's 21-year-old Argentinian striker Franco Di Santo on a three-year deal just minutes before the window closed.

Midfielder Tom Cleverley, 21, joined on loan from Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson decided to give the England Under-21 international some Premier League experience.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said of Cleverley: "We have been watching him for some time and feel he is the right sort of player to join our squad; young, hungry, desperate to play for the club in the Premier League and to grow with us."

Everton confirmed their long-serving Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo is set to join Turkish club Fenerbahce on a season-long loan pending agreement on personal terms and a medical. Yobo has been at Goodison Park since 2002, making more than 250 appearances.

Stoke clinched agreement with Monaco for a season-long loan of Eidur Gudjohnsen, while midfielder Salif Diao, whose contract expired at the end of last season, re-joined the club on a two-year deal.

Other Premier League transfers saw Tottenham signing Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa on a season-long loan from Spartak Moscow.

Blackpool re-signed striker DJ Campbell from Leicester and this time on a permanent basis.

Campbell had a successful loan spell at Blackpool last season and hit a hat-trick in the play-off semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest.

The Seasiders also swooped for Wycombe's 19-year-old winger Matt Phillips for an initial fee of £325,000.

One surprise came when Bundesliga side Werder Bremen moved for Northern Ireland Under-21 striker Liam Boyce.

Asamoah Gyan arrives at Sunderland ahead of his £12m transfer from Rennes

Striker set to join Steve Bruce's side...

Asamoah Gyan has arrived at Sunderland to finalise his move from French side Rennes.

The striker scored three goals for Ghana during their World Cup campaign in South Africa and impressed with a series of influential performances. He scored 13 goals in 27 games in Ligue 1 last season.

The deal is believed to be in the region of £12 million for the 24-year-old, who is due to complete his medical and agree on personal terms on Tuesday.

Sunderland have already strengthened their striking options this summer with a loan move for Manchester United's Danny Welbeck, but a long-term injury to Fraizer Campbell along with the £8m exit of Kenwyne Jones to Stoke City has led manager Steve Bruce to make a splash in the transfer market

Once Gyan's signing is formally completed, young striker Martyn Waghorn is widely expected to complete a £2m switch to Championship side Leicester City, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell last term.

Ibrahimovic loan to AC Milan

FC Barcelona and AC Milan have agreed a deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to move to the Italian club on loan for the entire season 2010/11 with the Rossoneri paying all his earnings.

Included in the agreement is the option for AC Milan to make the move permanent next summer for a fee of €24 million.

If the option to buy Ibrahimovic is taken up by the Serie A club then that could see FC Barcelona save approximately €60 million.

The deal was able to be done thanks to the collaboration of the player and the willingness of his agent to conclude the negotiations.

Paul Konchesky set to complete move to Liverpool after Fulham defender spotted at Anfield

Left-back filmed being shown round stadium...

Fulham defender Paul Konchesky is on the verge of a move to Liverpool after being spotted at Anfield today.

Reds manager Roy Hodgson is keen on signing a left-back, and appears to have returned to his old club to bring in a familiar face.

Previous reports have put the transfer fee for the 29-year-old at £4 million, with Mexican international Carlos Salcido signed from PSV Eindhoven to fill the vacant left-back position.

With that signing now sealed, it seems as though Fulham have now agreed a deal that will see Konchesky depart.