Juventus confirms Ciro Ferrara as coach, signing former defender to 2-year contract

October 9th, 2009 LONDON - Juventus are preparing to deepen Liverpool's misery with a January raid for 24-year-old Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano. The Turin giants are ready to offer 23-million-pounds as they seek to grab the Serie A title away from Inter Milan, reports The Sun.

October 8th, 2009 Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro fails doping testROME — Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a doping test, with his club Juventus saying Thursday it was the result of cortisone used to treat a bee sting. The Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor, Ettore Torri, opened an investigation.

September 10th, 2009 LONDON - Manchester United is confident that they will not be brought to book by FIFA after being embroiled in another alleged poaching controversy. Following Le Havre's accusations over the signing of young French star Paul Pogba, Fiorentina are now considering asking FIFA to look into United's signing of 16-year-old Italian defender Michele Fornasier.

September 8th, 2009 FIFA investigates Man City's signing of teen HelanLONDON — FIFA is investigating Manchester City over claims by French club Rennes it illegally poached a teenager. The 17-year-old defender Jeremy Helan was signed in February after an "illegal" approach, according to Rennes, although City insisted Tuesday that it has acted within the rules and didn't induce Helan to breach his contract.

September 3rd, 2009 ROME - French striker David Trezeguet has said he will leave Juventus at the end of the season, Italian media reported Thursday. Trezeguet, who turns 32 Oct 15, arrived at Juve in the summer of 2000, few weeks after scoring a golden goal that allowed France to beat Italy in the final of the European Championship.

September 1st, 2009 Luciano Spalletti resigns as AS Roma coachROME — Luciano Spalletti resigned as AS Roma's coach Tuesday after the team opened its Serie A season with two losses. Former Chelsea and Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri is expected to replace Spalletti.

August 26th, 2009 Italy's Serie A confirms breakaway leagueMILAN — Italy's top flight Serie A clubs confirmed they will split from the second division Serie B sides in an attempt to make up ground on England's Premier League and Spain's La Liga. The move is based on the English clubs' 1992 breakaway which transformed the sport and made the Premier League the richest in the world.

July 29th, 2009 LONDON/MADRID - Premier League giants Liverpool officially announced Wednesday the sale of defender Alvaro Arbeloa to Real Madrid, for a fee believed to be around four million euros ($5.69 million). He is currently undergoing medical checks in Madrid, prior to signing a five-year contract with Real.

July 29th, 2009 Ronaldo scores first Madrid goalMADRID, Spain — Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal for Real Madrid in a 4-2 victory over Liga de Quito in the Peace Cup on Tuesday. Playing his third game for the Spanish powerhouse since his $131 million transfer from Manchester United, Ronaldo converted a 48th-minute penalty after being tripped in the area by defender Norberto Araujo.

June 27th, 2009 MADRID - Portugese giants Benfica announced late Friday that they had bought Javier Saviola from Real Madrid. According to Spanish and Portuguese media, Benfica will pay Real 5 million euros (6.98 million dollars) for the little Argentine striker.

June 25th, 2009 Real Madrid agrees to deal for Valencia's AlbiolMADRID — Real Madrid has reached a deal to sign Spain defender Raul Albiol from Valencia. Real Madrid said on its Web site Thursday that the transfer will go through next week after Albiol has passed a physical and signs a five-year contract.

June 14th, 2009 PRETORIA - Former World Footballer of the Year Fabio Cannavaro is likely to miss Italy's opening Group B Confederations Cup match against the US here Monday. The defender, who needs just three more games to break Paolo Maldini's record of 126 games for the Azzurri, is suffering from an injury to his right calf and could also miss his side's second game against Egypt.

June 9th, 2009 Madrid signs KakaMADRID, Spain — Real Madrid has announced the signing of Brazilian star Kaka from AC Milan. Madrid gave no financial details but reports on Monday said the Spanish club will pay Milan euro65 million ($92 million) for the attacking midfielder, making it one of the richest deals in soccer history.

June 4th, 2009 Toronto FC confirms exhibition against Real MadridTORONTO — Toronto FC has confirmed it will host Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in an exhibition match this summer. The Major League Soccer club announced on Thursday that the game will take place Aug.

May 30th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reported to be ready to off-load Ivory Coast striker Emmanuel Eboue as part of a major shake-up of his squad this summer. Wenger is also preparing to sell off unsettled striker Emmanuel Adebayor.