 | « Back to article | Print this article |
La Liga side Valencia have announced that two members of their squad and coaching staff have tested positive for COVID-19, a day after returning to pre-season training.
The club's statement said the two individuals, who were not named, were isolating at home and that the rest of the squad would continue to follow a strict protocol.
Valencia were heavily affected by the virus when it first emerged in Spain earlier this year, with the club reporting in March that over one third of the squad and staff had been infected.
Spain, one of the worst affected countries in the world by the virus, is continuing to experience a steady rise in infections cases and on Monday overtook Britain as the country with the most infections in Western Europe.
The infections at Valencia come two days after Atletico Madrid players Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko tested positive for the virus, meaning they will miss the team's Champions League quarter-final against RB Leipzig on Thursday.
Manager of Japan's Sagan Tosu tests positive for COVID-19
The manager of Japanese top flight side Sagan Tosu, Kim Myung-hwi, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the club said on Tuesday.
Kim felt unwell before Sagan Tosu's game at Kashima Antlers on Saturday but as his symptoms did not include a fever the 39-year-old remained involved in the match, they said.
Kim developed a fever on Sunday evening and after having a PCR test he received the positive result on Monday.
The club said all players and staff had since been tested and would know their results before Wednesday's Levain Cup match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, which is currently scheduled to go ahead.
Real Madrid's Kubo joins Villarreal on loan
Villarreal have signed Japanese playmaker Takefusa Kubo on loan from Real Madrid for next season, the La Liga club said on Monday.
Kubo, 19, impressed last season in his debut campaign in the top-flight on loan at Real Mallorca although was unable to prevent the team from being relegated a year after winning promotion.
The playmaker spent time at Barcelona's academy but was forced to leave the club due to FIFA's rules prohibiting the signing of underage players, which led to Barca being hit with a transfer ban.
He signed for Real from FC Tokyo last year for two million euros ($2.35 million) on a six-year contract.
Kubo joins a Villarreal side in the middle of a huge transformation ahead of the new season, having replaced coach Javi Calleja with Unai Emery after finishing fifth last campaign.
The club are also set to sign midfield pair Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin from neighbours Valencia, according to reports in the Spanish media.
Liverpool sign Greece defender Tsimikas from Olympiakos
Liverpool have made their first signing of the transfer window by bringing in Greece defender Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiakos Piraeus on a long-term deal, the Premier League champions announced on Monday.
The 24-year-old left back made 46 appearances for Olympiakos in all competitions last season as they won their 45th Greek Super League title.
Financial details were not given but British media said Liverpool paid 11 million pounds ($14.38 million) for Tsimikas, who has played three times for Greece since making his debut in October 2018.
"I'm very happy, I'm very proud to be here. For me, (it's) the biggest club in the world. It's an honour to be here and I will give my best," Tsmikas told the club website https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/405024-liverpool-complete-signing-of-kostas-tsimikas
"The league here, I like a lot. I watch it on the TV and it was always one dream I had from when I was a kid to come to play in this league and to come through.
"With a lot of work and focus on what I do and what the coach (Juergen Klopp) wants, and every day working hard in training, I can be on the highest level.
"(I want) to achieve (our) goals. To win the league again and also to win the Champions League."
Liverpool won Europe's elite club competition in 2019 but were knocked out by Atletico Madrid in the last 16 this term.
Tsimikas, who has had loan spells at Danish side Esjberg and Dutch outfit Willem II, has Champions League experience and is expected to provide cover for left back Andy Robertson.
"We've watched Kostas for a long time and are really happy that he's joined us. It's the perfect news before we come back together very soon," Klopp said.
"He's a very good footballer with an attitude to win and to compete, and I really like his mentality. It fits perfectly with the mood and the desire we have in our dressing room."
