Giggs Will Lead Great Britain in Olympics

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs believes he can lead Great Britain to gold at the 2012 Olympics after being selected as captain for Stuart Pearce's side.

The 38-year-old, who was recently named Best Player in the Premier League's 20 Seasons Awards, has never played at a major international tournament but is one of the most decorated players in English football and is looking to add a gold medal to his glittering array of silverware.

"It is a tremendous honour to be part of the Olympics," said the former Wales captain, who retired from international football in 2007. "Stuart has given me the captaincy, which is even better so I am really looking forward to it. It is a unique experience and one from the start that I wanted to be part of when I got the opportunity.

"We hope we can get gold. That is what the players are hoping for. The players are winners and want to do well. You want that gold medal. It is going to be tough because a lot of the other nations have picked good players and have got good teams."

Glittering career

Giggs has played in every season of the Premier League, winning the title on 12 occasions with United along with two UEFA Champions League triumphs, four FA Cups, four League Cups and a host of other trophies, and was deemed to be the "standout captain" by Team GB coach Stuart Pearce.

"He's got the respect of all the members of the group," said Pearce, whose side face Senegal at Old Trafford in their opening game on 26 July. "I looked at the squad and I thought there are some good candidates there.

"It was the easiest decision of my managerial career. He has been one of the best professionals of the last 20 years."
- Stuart Pearce

"Aaron Ramsey captains Wales, Micah Richards has captained Manchester City at times, Craig Bellamy for the experience he's had and one or two others within the camp as well. But I think Ryan is the standout captain amongst the group.

"It was the easiest decision of my managerial career. He has been one of the best professionals of the last 20 years."

After taking on Senegal, Team GB meet United Arab Emirates at Wembley on July 29th and complete their group fixtures against Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium on August 1st.

'Best ever'

Giggs' Welsh compatriot Bellamy, also making his first major tournament appearance, believes the Manchester United legend is perfect for the captaincy after serving under him for their country.

"He is probably one of the best players who has ever played the game," he said. "It is fitting he is captain and also I have been very fortunate to play with him for my country as well, so I know Ryan quite well."

Along with Giggs and Micah Richards, Bellamy is one of three players over the age of 23 permitted to be selected for the Olympic football team.

Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, who contracted viral meningitis recently, will be assessed in the coming days to see whether he will be fit to play a part in the tournament.

Full Team GB men's squad

Joe Allen (Swansea City) - born 14/3/1990, Carmarthen.
Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) - born 13/7/1979, Cardiff.
Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea) - born 5/8/1989, Southwark.
Jack Butland (Birmingham City) - born 10/3/1983, Bristol.
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United) - born 12/8/1989, Basingstoke.
Jack Cork (Southampton) - born 25/6/1989, Carshalton.
Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur) - born 29/12/1991, Feltham.
Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion) - born 6/5/1990, Rochdale.
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) - born 29/11/1973, Cardiff.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) - born 26/12/1990, Caerphilly
Micah Richards (Manchester City) - born 24/6/1988, Birmingham.
Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur ) - born 2/7/1990, Doncaster.
Scott Sinclair (Swansea City)- born 25/3/1989, Bath.
Marvin Sordell (Bolton Wanderers) - born 17/2/1991, Harrow.
Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) - born 18/8/1990, Bishop Auckland.
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea) - born 1/9/1989, Birmingham.
Neil Taylor (Swansea City)- born 7/2/1989, St Asaph.
James Tomkins (West Ham United) - born 29/3/1989, Basildon.

Swansea sign Spanish midfielder Michu

Swansea City have sealed the signature of Spanish midfielder Michu from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.

The 26-year-old has joined Michael Laudrup's side for a fee of around £2m and he has signed a three-year contract at the Liberty Stadium.

"I believe the Premier League is better than La Liga, so it's a chance to improve"
- Michu

Michu, whose full name is Miguel Perez Cuesta, will join up with his new team-mates on Sunday for the Swans' pre-season tour of America.

"I'm very happy," Michu told Swansea's official website. "I had other offers, but I really wanted to come to Swansea because of the coach, the style of play and the Premier League.

"I've always followed the Premier League from Spain and I watched a lot of Swansea games last season. They played good football and I liked their style.

"I also know how Michael Laudrup's teams play, so I'm looking forward to being part of that. The coach was fundamental to me joining Swansea. I remember watching him as a player - he was a machine.

"I'm a bit sad to leave Rayo because they gave me my chance in the first division in Spain. I will always be grateful to them for that.

"But the chance to play in the Premier League is a fantastic opportunity for me. I believe the Premier League is better than La Liga, so it's a chance for me to improve as a player."

Prolific goalscorer

Michu scored 15 goals in La Liga last season, the most for a midfielder in the competition, and he helped save Rayo from relegation.

He is looking forward to playing alonside fellow new signings Jonathan de Guzman and Chico, and says Swans right-back Angel Rangel helped him decide, with several other clubs interested in his signature.

"I know them both [Jonathan and Chico] from playing against them in La Liga," added Michu. "They are not only good players, but knowing them will also help my adaption to life over here.

"Angel and I know a mutual friend so we started texting recently. He told me he was very happy here and it was a great club.

"I've had a look at the stadium already and it is spectacular. Angel told me it was always full for every game and the fans are very passionate, so I'm really excited about the challenge ahead."

Everton in the Community wins prestigious award

Everton in the Community has won a prestigious award at the Sport and Recreation Alliance's Community Sport and Recreation Awards, backed by the Royal Family.

The Blues' official charity was named 'Professional Club Community Programme of the Year 2012' at the Alliance's Annual General Meeting at St James's Palace on Thursday.

Chief Executive Dr Denise Barrett-Baxendale was handed the club's award by HRH The Earl of Wessex.

"Judges were impressed with the wealth of programmes we have designed and delivered"
- Dr Barrett-Baxendale

"It was an absolute honour to be presented with this prestigious award by HRH The Earl of Wessex," Dr Barrett-Baxendale told the club's official website.

"This award recognises the significant and forward-thinking approach Everton in the Community has to supporting the local community.

"The judges were impressed with the wealth of programmes we have designed and delivered in particular to combat racism and improve the lives of people living with mental health issues and disabilities.

"The Alliance commended the club's ability to use the influence of its brand to motivate, educate and inspire diverse communities in the North West of England.

"Our time and effort to develop relationships with key voluntary sports clubs, community organisations and leaders to establishing respect and trust was also praised."

In addition to the prize, Everton in the Community was also given £1,000 of funding for winning the award.

The Sport and Recreation Alliance is the umbrella organisation for the governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK. The Alliance represents more than 320 members, including The FA, the Rugby Football Union and UK Athletics.

The Alliance's Community Sport and Recreation Awards recognise sport and recreation organisations that have excelled in areas such as volunteer management, school links, green thinking and innovative projects.

Everton in the Community is a leading UK sports charity, which uses the power of the Everton brand, to help people across Merseyside, the North West and abroad to better their life chances, through innovative educational, employment, disability and social inclusion programmes.

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Liverpool owner hails 'inspirational' Rodgers

Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry has described the club's new manager Brendan Rodgers as "inspirational".

Former Swansea boss Rodgers replaced Kenny Dalglish in the Anfield hotseat during the summer and has set about a rebuilding of the Liverpool squad.

Henry met up with Rodgers on Liverpool's pre-season tour of north America, with their first friendly match taking place against FC Toronto in Canada on Saturday.

"He's charismatic, smart, knows what he wants to accomplish and is determined to accomplish it"
- John W Henry

"Brendan has a very structured approach and he plays the kind of football that we think Liverpool fans will love to see," Henry told the club's official website.

"You can see why he was appointed. He's an inspirational figure. He's very charismatic, he's smart, he knows what he wants to accomplish and he's determined to accomplish it.

"Everything I have heard so far in the way of feedback about him has been very positive."

Liverpool finished eighth in the Barclays Premier League last season, 37 points behind champions Manchester City and 17 behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth.

But Henry says the Reds do not want to put Rodgers under the immediate pressure of having to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in his first season in charge.

"We don't want to put any pressure on Brendan by saying you have got to make the Champions League this year," added Henry.

"Of course he wants to make the Champions League, we all do and so does every team in the Premier League.

"At this point we're just trying to get things stabilised - that should be one of our goals."

Important clubs

After Liverpool play FC Toronto they then face Italian side Roma at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, who are also owned by Henry and Fenway Sports Group.

"It's heartening to have Liverpool here," said Henry. "I know Liverpool fans worry about the Red Sox and I know Red Sox fans worry about Liverpool but these are two very important clubs.

"We need to be in the US and we know this area well. (Chairman) Tom Werner is a Harvard grad and we knew this would be a great place for the team to train.

"Liverpool is such a global club. Last year we were in Asia, this year we're in North America. We have to try to get out and see the fans.

"This year what we're really concentrating on is to make sure we're ready for the first League game. That's our number one goal. We have a lot of work to do to instil a new system."

Adriano has Barca future, Juve interested

Brazilian left-back Adriano has made 41 league appearances for Barca since joining them from Sevilla in 2010, but the summer arrival of Jordi Alba from Valencia had put his future at the club in doubt.

A meeting with new Barca head coach Tito Vilanova has given the 27-year-old assurances that he has a future at the Camp Nou. However agent Paulo Affonso revealed that a move to Serie A champions Juventus was still an option.

Affonse told Marca: "Juventus is one of the biggest clubs at this time. They have won the Scudetto and will play the next edition of the Champions League.

"I have good relationships with the management, and they are interested in the player. I'm willing to talk."

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Guzan signs new deal at Villa

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan has agreed a new three-year deal with the club.

The contract will keep the 27-year-old USA international at the club until the end of the 2014/15 season.

New Villa boss Paul Lambert told the club's website that he expected Guzan to challenge first-choice keeper Shay Given.

"Brad played very well the time he was in and maybe he found himself a bit unlucky to be back out"
- Paul Lambert

"I've watched Brad and some of his games when he was in the team last year and he was excellent," said Lambert.

"I know he's always had that stigma of being the number two behind some really good goalkeepers here.

"But when you come back at the start of the season nobody knows what's going to happen and it depends on whoever does well.

"Brad played very well the time he was in and maybe he found himself a bit unlucky to be back out.

"The club needs two or three good goalkeepers, so when Shay comes back from the Euros it will be a big bonus and we'll see what happens."

Guzan, who joined Villa in 2008 from Major League Soccer side Chivas USA, made his Premier League debut as a substitute against Liverpool at Anfield in February 2009.

He played in eight consecutive games last term following an injury to Given.

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El Hamdaoui joins Fiorentina

Fiorentina have signed Moroccan striker Mounir El Hamdaoui on a three-year deal from Ajax for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old had appeared set to join the Serie A club in January only for the deal to collapse on deadline day after Ajax demanded a bank guarantee for payment.

But the Viola have finally got their man after the Morocco international penned a deal to keep him at the Stadio Artemio Franchi until 2015.

Both Fiorentina and Ajax confirmed the deal on their official club websites on Wednesday.

El Hamdaoui told reporters: "I am very happy to be going to Fiorentina. I know (coach Vincenzo Montella), he was a great player."

The frontman started his professional career with Dutch club Excelsior and has also spent time at Tottenham, Derby, Willem II and AZ Alkmaar.

He joined Ajax in the summer of 2010 but struggled to make an impact for the Amsterdam giants, falling out of favour with head coach Frank de Boer.

El Hamdaoui last appeared for the Godenzonen back in April 2011.

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Anita 'tempted by Prem'

The agent of reported Newcastle target Vurnon Anita says the player is tempted over a move to the Premier League as he seeks talks with Ajax chiefs over his future.

The Holland international, who can play as a defensive midfielder or at left-back, helped Ajax to the Eredivisie title last season to catch the attention of the Magpies, while Aston Villa, Norwich and Sunderland are also thought to be interested.

Reports suggest Newcastle have already seen a £5million offer rejected by the Dutch club but could snare their man if they up the bid to £8m.

The 23-year-old has two years remaining on his deal in Amsterdam but will seek talks with the club's new sporting director Marc Overmars to gain clarity over his future.

He told the Sunday Mirror: "I've two years left on my contract. But I want some clarity from Ajax about my future.

"We have a meeting with Marc Overmars, the club's new sporting director, to get a clear view of what the club wants."

Serious interest

Anita's agent, Harry Lulofs, claims the player could be lured to the Premier League, adding: "There is serious interest from Newcastle.

"A move to the Premier League is so tempting for him. We have to resolve the situation quickly."

Ajax boss Frank De Boer insists he will fight to keep the Dutchman, who came through the youth ranks in Amsterdam.

He said: "We'll do all we can to try and keep Vurnon here. He's a very valuable player."

Ribery to skip Bayern Munich training camp

Franck Ribery will not join Bayern Munich's pre-season training camp, instead staying in Germany to receive individual treatment and training, the club has announced.

Ribery has now returned from his post-Euro 2012 holiday, but while the rest of the Bayern squad has gathered together in northern Italy, the France attacker will remain in Munich.

"Frank will not join the training camp, but he will remain here. He will train intensively with a physical trainer in Munich," Bavarian club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Bild.

Rummenigge did not give any more details about the reasons for Ribery staying in Munich.

Bayern are scheduled to play a friendly with Napoli on July 20 before flying off to China for a five-day tour that includes matches against Beijing Guo'an and Bundesliga rivals Wolfsburg.

It is not yet known whether or not Ribery will link up with the rest of the squad in Asia.

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