SOCCER: Nick Barmby completed his £2.75 million (€4.23 million) move from Liverpool to Leeds United yesterday and said he was thrilled to be working again with manager Terry Venables.
The versatile 28-year-old former England midfielder, who made his international debut under Venables in 1995 and also worked with him at Tottenham Hotspur where he began his career, signed a four-year contract at Elland Road.
"It had to be something special for me to leave Liverpool but when I heard Leeds were interested . . . working with Terry again, that was the only move for me," Barmby said.
"I learned my trade under Terry at Tottenham and then worked for him again with England. He is the biggest influence on my career, at Spurs and England. You learn a hell of a lot from Terry. Ask any player who has ever played under him. His knowledge of football is second to none."
Barmby said he believes he can win silverware with Leeds. "I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think we could win things," he said.
Liverpool, meanwhile, unveiled a three-year, £15m deal with Carlsberg - the 10th year of their association.
ROY KEANE has said it is vital that Manchester United make it through their Champions League qualifying clash with European rookies Zalaegerszegi.
He is expected to lead United into their a warm-up with Boca Juniors tomorrow, before heading out to Budapest, where the match is set to be transferred to the famous Nep Stadium to accommodate the crowds.
Both this first leg on Wednesday and the return on Tuesday, August 22nd will be covered live by Network 2.
After spending £30 million on Rio Ferdinand in the summer, Keane accepts United must make it into the Champions League proper. "You can say that again," he said, speaking on MUTV.
"Boca Juniors will be a decent game on Saturday but the important stuff starts next week. There are no second chances and we need to produce the goods."
"Last season still hurts," he admitted. "Arsenal and Liverpool passed us by last year. They had that bit of hunger we lacked, which is why we didn't win anything.
"We had one or two problems in central defence and had eight or nine different partnerships over the course of the season, which is too much really.
"That is why the manager has brought in Rio Ferdinand, although it is easy to be critical of one area. We attack and defend as a team, so you have to look at the whole unit rather than just one part."
In GLEN HODDLE hopes to tie up a loan deal for 21-year-old Chinese international triallist Qu Bo. "We want to try to get him on a 12-month loan," the Tottenham manager said.
The situation regarding Fernando Morientes is confused, with Hoddle saying the deal is still on, but the player quoted as saying: "I have no wish to play for Tottenham, who have not even qualified for the UEFA Cup."
RONALDO has been labelled "a spoiled brat" by Germany legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge for trying to leave Inter Milan.
"He happily collected 100 per cent of his salary for two years, despite the fact he hardly ever played. And now, after the World Cup, he's after a new deal.
"That says all we need to know about the character of the player and his advisers," said Rummenigge, who played for Inter between 1984 and 1987.
THE REFEREE who kneed a player in the genitals during a Chilean first division match has resigned rather than face a life ban, the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) announced yesterday.
Francisco Caamano, a physical education teacher with 33 years experience, admitted he was at fault during the attack on Audax Italiano player Nestor Contreras.
