Eintracht Braunschweig have confirmed goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz as their first signing for the 2014-15 season.
The 26-year-old won the the Polish championship in 2012 with Slask Wroclaw, and will join the German club on a free transfer.
Gikiewicz has penned a two-year deal at the Eintracht-Stadion, meaning he will stay at the club until June 2016.
Speaking to the club s official website, he said: I am very happy that I came to Braunschweig. All have welcomed me very warmly.
Sports director Marc Arnold added: We noticed Rafal (when) observing matches. We are firmly convinced that he will help us in the next two years.
Braunschweig are currently involved in a battle to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.
They currently prop up the table with 25 poi…
The Professional Footballers Association have named Liverpool forward Luis Suarez as their Player of the Year.
The Uruguay international has spearheaded his side s Premier League title challenge this season, scoring 30 goals in 31 games to date.
Liverpool had three players in contention for the PFA s main gong, with Daniel Sturridge and captain Steven Gerrard also nominated, but Suarez unsurprisingly gained recognition for a series of magnificent displays.
Chelsea s Eden Hazard finished second to Suarez in the voting, but had the consolation of picking up the Young Player of the Year prize, while Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure claimed third.
Suarez found himself banned for 10 league matches at the end of the 2012-13 season after biting Chelsea s Branislav …
Barcelona want Bayern’s Alaba
Barcelona are weighing up summer move for Bayern Munich full-back David Alaba, according to .
It is no secret that the Catalans are searching for a new left-back, with Tottenham star Gareth Bale and Valencia hotshot Jordi Alba high on their wishlist.
El Mundo Deportivo reveals that Bayern Munich youngster David Alaba has also caught the attention of Barcelona officials.
The 19-year-old produced a stunning performance as Bayern Munich ensured progress to the Champions League final at Santiago Bernabeu, convincing the Catalans they should step up their interest in his services.
While Alaba has largely impressed in the left-back role at Alianz Arena this season, he also successfully deputized for Bastian Schweinsteige…
West Brom striker Romelu Lukaku does not expect to return to Chelsea in January.
And Lukaku has even hinted at the possibility of rejoining the Baggies on loan next season.
The Belgium international joined the Blues from Anderlecht in 2011 but found first-team opportunities difficult to come by in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
He has impressed, however, under Steve Clarke s tutelage at the Hawthorns, leading to speculation that Chelsea could recall the 19-year-old during the upcoming transfer window.
But when asked if he had been in direct contact with new manager Rafael Benitez, he told West Brom s official website: No. I know what is going on. For me, it is one-year loan.
Then hopefully it may be one year again because I need to play as…
Owen Hargreaves was among four first-team regulars missing from the Manchester United squad that set off for their pre-season tour to South Africa on Thursday.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has selected a 21-man squad for the four-match trip, but Hargreaves, Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra and Nani did not board the flight to Cape Town.
England midfielder Hargreaves missed Saturday s friendly at Aberdeen with a knee injury, while Portugal winger Nani, Dutch goalkeeper van der Sar and France left-back Evra have all been excused after playing at Euro 2008.
Cristiano Ronaldo had already been ruled out following his ankle operation.
Ferguson confirmed Hargreaves has the same tendonitis problem which forced him to have pain-killing injections to ease t…