SUMMER SALES FOOTBALL UPDATE
Drogba signs to Blues until 2012
CHELSEA striker Didier Drogba last night committed his future to the club by signing a new three-year contract.
The Ivory Coast international, who joined the Blues from Marseille in 2004, is thought to have agreed a deal worth £100,000 per week.
“I love the club, I feel good here and I want to continue to win titles with them,” said Drogba, 31. “But my No1 objective is to win the Champions League. I’m convinced that this year we can go to the end and finally lift this trophy.”
Chelsea’s hopes of signing AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, however, have been dashed after he pledged to stay at the Italian club.
“I am very happy to be able to finish my career here,” said Pirlo. “I had the possibility of changing teams and adventure but at the end, the club and I decided to continue and we are all happier.”
Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi added: “Andrea Pirlo has been taken off the market. He will finish his career at Milan.”
Bruce delighted by Bent capture
SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce last night completed the long-awaited, club-record £10m signing of England striker Darren Bent from Tottenham.
“He’s everything I want,” said Bruce, who has trailed Bent for weeks. “Good things come to those who wait.”
Bruce is also thought to be close to signing West Ham captain Lucas Neill, who is out of contract at Upton Park.
Nugent set for exit after brawl
PORTSMOUTH look set to farm out striker David Nugent to Stoke for a cut-price £4m following an alleged bust-up with team-mate Marc Wilson.
Nugent and Wilson were fined two weeks’ wages by Portsmouth after being sent home from the club’s pre-season tour of Portugal, amid reports of a brawl in a hotel corridor.
Portsmouth yesterday appeared to open the door for Nugent’s exit by signing Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne on a season-long loan.