World Cup Footie

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed the former FC Porto midfielder Pedro Mendes for an undisclosed fee from Rangers FC, ending the player's five-and-a-half year stay in British football.

An eye-catching meeting of two former European champions and FC Salzburg's defence of the competition's only unblemished record will be among the highlights of the UEFA Europa League round of 32.

Juventus have dismissed coach Ciro Ferrara and replaced him with Alberto Zaccheroni on a contract until June following Thursday's 2-1 loss to FC Internazionale Milano in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

VfL Wolfsburg have signed defender Réver from Grêmio Foot-ball Porto Alegrense, paving the way for centre-back Ricardo Costa to join fellow UEFA Europa League contenders LOSC Lille Métropole.

Eerste Klasse leaders RSC Anderlecht have added to their Czech contingent by signing 19-year-old midfielder Lukáš Mareček from 1. FC Brno for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Galatasaray AŞ have continued their January recruitment drive by signing 20-year-old Mexican international Giovani Dos Santos on loan from Tottenham Hotspur FC until the end of the campaign.

R. Standard de Liège have brought left-back Sébastien Pocognoli back to the club from AZ Alkmaar for an undisclosed fee, the 22-year-old having began his career as a trainee with Les Rouches.

Manchester United FC have agreed terms with Fulham FC to sign England Under-21 defender Chris Smalling, with the 20-year-old set to link up with Sir Alex Ferguson's squad during the summer.

German champions VfL Wolfsburg have sacked coach Armin Veh following the 3-2 home loss to lowly 1. FC Köln on Sunday which extended their winless run to nine games in all competitions.

AS Roma could be without the services of on-loan striker Luca Toni for up to a month because of a calf injury the 32-year-old sustained during the Giallorossi's 2-1 victory away to Juventus on Saturday.

FC Twente's 39-year-old goalkeeper Sander Boschker says he has "no plans to stop" after equalling the record for most Eredivisie appearances for one club with league game No528 for the Tukkers.

PSV Eindhoven have announced that they have severed links with Jonathan Reis with immediate effect after the 20-year-old tested positive for banned substances and refused any remedial help.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has cut his ties with Real Madrid CF and signed an 18-month deal with Bundesliga outfit Hamburger SV, his new coach Bruno Labbadia "convinced he will score important goals".

UEFA Europa League hopefuls FC Salzburg have strengthened their attacking options with the signing of the Austrian Bundesliga's leading scorer, 14-goal LASK Linz forward Roman Wallner.

AFC Ajax have signed Club Nacional de Football midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro, while fellow Uruguayan Luis Suárez has penned a one-year contract extension that ties him to the Dutch club until 2013.

Everton have agreed to sign Philippe Senderos on loan from Arsenal FC for the rest of the season, while Legia Warszawa goalkeeper Ján Mucha will also join the club on a three-year contract in the summer.

Club Atlético de Madrid's latest recruit, 19-year-old striker Eduardo Antonio 'Toto' Salvio, is "eager to win a title here" after joining the UEFA Europa League contenders from CA Lanús for around €8m.

Galatasaray AŞ have secured cover for injured striker Milan Baroš, bringing in Brazilian international Jô on loan from English Premier League outfit Manchester City FC until the end of the campaign.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC have signed Bolivian international right-back Miguel Hoyos from Club Bolivar, the 28-year-old committing to an 18-month contract with the UEFA Europa League contenders.

Club Brugge KV have signed defender Peter Van der Heyden from 1. FSV Mainz 05 for an undisclosed fee, with the 33-year-old penning a one-and-a-half year contract at the Jan Breydel stadion.