Everton have agreed a deal to sign Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo from Red Star Belgrade.

 read more

Mystery surrounds the likely landing place in Britain of the troubled former Canberra half-back, Todd Carney.

 read more

Steven Gerrard is a patriot, but his heart belongs to Liverpool. That was underlined last night as he put his club's European ambitions ahead of his country's World Cup hopes.

 read more

In the midst of all the whisperings, all the intrigue and all of the conspiracy theories that monopolised the run-up to this Johnnie Walker Championship, one man was largely overlooked in the great debate over who will land Nick Faldo's two picks come Sunday evening. Which is rather bizarre, seeing as his name happens to be Colin Montgomerie and for the last decade or so he has been the predominant flag-bearer in Europe's phenomenal run.

 read more

On the day it was revealed that Nick Faldo plans to use DJ Spoony and the drummer from Iron Maiden to inspire his team at Kentucky next month, two young Englishmen declared their eagerness to be a part of the party. For Justin Rose and Oliver Wilson these next four days of the Johnnie Walker Championship could just be some of the most nerve-wracking of their short careers.

 read more

Whatever the many talents Chris Richardson brings to racing's table as managing director of David and Patricia Thompson's Cheveley Park Stud, and guardian of the successful and influential establishment's racing interests, they are surely the diplomatic service's loss. Yesterday morning in Newmarket Robert Winston partnered the Thompson's high-class three-year-old filly Spacious in her work, rather than her stable's regular jockey, Jamie Spencer. The new hands on the reins, coupled with some other incontrovertible facts, raised eyebrows and questions.

 read more

The Former England captain Michael Vaughan's struggles with the bat continued as he failed on his return for Yorkshire in their County Championship First Division match against Kent yesterday. The 33-year-old quit as England captain earlier this month after South Africa took a 2-0 lead in the Test series and he then chose to take a short break from the game.

 read more

Usain Bolt insisted yesterday that he will not be taking it easy when he returns to the track in Zurich tomorrow night – his first race since completing a golden treble at the Olympics in Beijing.

 read more

The most competitive campaign in Premiership history will also be the most uncertain. That much became clear yesterday as coaches and players alike gave voice to their alarm over the new rules – Experimental Law Variations, in committee-speak – about to be imposed upon them by the International Rugby Board, which has no support for any of this among the English clubs but is pressing ahead anyway.

 read more

A glorious chapter in county cricket and the most successful era in Sussex's history was brought to an end yesterday when Mushtaq Ahmed, the Pakistan leg-spinner, announced his retirement from first-class cricket. The decision, enforced by a persistent knee injury, finishes the career of the most influential cricketer in the modern day county game.

 read more

The French restaurant where Anne Keothavong and her coaches have eaten before both her matches here at the US Open can take tonight's order now. Fish of the day followed by crème brûlée proved a winning combination for the second time in three days as the 24-year-old Londoner became the first British woman to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows since Jo Durie and Sara Gomer 17 years ago.

 read more

Manchester United's defender Nemanja Vidic insists he is enjoying his stay at Old Trafford and life in the North-west.

 read more

Chelsea may not have won the Champions League yet but if football had a rankings system, like golf or tennis, they would be acclaimed as the continent's best. The Uefa coefficients, which determine the seedings for today's Champions League draw, place Chelsea at No 1.

 read more

Valencia striker David Villa has ended speculation over his future by signing a new long-term contract with his La Liga club.

 read more

Tottenham Hotspur have told Dimitar Berbatov that he can leave only if they sign two strikers before the transfer deadline on Monday and they hope that the second, after Roman Pavlyuchenko, will be Andrei Arshavin. Spurs have revived their interest in Arshavin, whom they now believe they can sign for less than £20m.

 read more

The Manchester City manager, Mark Hughes, has identified Jo, his returning Brazilian Olympian, as the side's possible saviour when they attempt to avoid an early Uefa Cup exit tonight. City face the Danish side FC Midtjylland in the second leg of their second qualifying round tie in Herning, trailing 1-0 after a defeat at home.

 read more

Evidence of the sometimes conflicting agendas at the top at Newcastle United came yesterday when James Milner's written transfer request was made public by the club, one week after it was actually delivered to the hierarchy at St James' Park by the 22-year-old. The outcome may be that Milner joins Aston Villa for £9m, though Milner is unhappy with his pay at Newcastle, not the overall situation.

 read more

Kenny Miller insists he is not worried about the reaction he will face in this weekend's Old Firm derby when he returns to Celtic Park for the first time since rejoining Rangers.

 read more

The West Bromwich Albion manager, Tony Mowbray, has backed his record signing Borja Valero to shake off the disappointment of his debut to make a positive impact in the Premier League.

 read more

Kevin Nolan has spoken of his disappointment at the way Bolton exited the Carling Cup. The club captain was hoping for a good run in the competition after they reached the final in 2004 when he was part of the side, but two goals from journeyman striker Adebayo Akinfenwa propelled League One Northampton into the third round draw on Saturday.

 read more