Posted by Reuters on
Nigerian midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha has returned to English football with a one-year contract at Hull City, the second division club said on their Web site
* Nigerian midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha has returned to English football with a one-year contract at Hull City, the second division club said on their Web site (www.hullcityafc.net).
Okocha, 34, was a free agent after leaving Qatar SC following a four-year spell with Premier League club Bolton Wanderers from 2002-2006.
"I'm looking to bring more experience to this football club," Okocha said. "I want to help let the players know that nothing is impossible and that we can achieve a lot of success.
"I've been very impressed with what I've seen in the last two games. We look like a very solid team and it made me realise that I have made the right decision."
Okocha began his career in European football in Germany, where he played for Eintracht Frankfurt before moving on to Fenerbahce in Turkey and then Paris St. Germain. Okocha also played in three World Cups and helped Nigeria win Olympic gold in 1996.
* Greece have lost two more players through injury ahead of next Wednesday's Euro 2008 Group C qualifier in Norway.
Experienced defender Michalis Kapsis, a member of the victorious Euro 2004 squad, has a serious calf strain while newcomer Nikos Spyropoulos injured a bicep during Panionios' opening game of the season against Aris.
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel, who is already without striker Angelos Charisteas and midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos, has not yet called up any replacements. But with central defender Traianos Dellas also doubtful, he may turn to the experienced Georgos Anatolakis to fill the breach.
* Racing Santander have presented Congolese striker Mohammed Tchite, the modest Primera Liga club's most expensive signing.
The 23-year-old, who has signed a five-year contract, moved from Anderlecht for a fee of around 7.5 million euros on transfer deadline day last week.
* Greek second division club Ionikos have said they will block moves by English third division battlers Leeds United to sign Portuguese winger Felipe Da Costa on a free transfer.
"We are aware the player has had a contractual dispute with his previous club and FIFA are currently dealing with his claim," Leeds said on their Web site (www.leedsunited.com)."
However, Ionikos have said the winger has a contract for another four years and is not available on a free transfer.
"It seems that the people from the English team have been misled by the footballer and his agent but Ionikos has informed Leeds that Da Costa is contracted to the club until 2011," Ionikos's legal advisor Haris Grigoriou said in a statement.