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Uruguayan Fossati takes charge of Qatar

DOHA: Uruguayan Jorge Fossati was named coach of Qatar's national soccer team on Tuesday, replacing Bosnian Dzemaludin Musovic, whose contract expired after the Asian Cup.

The former Uruguayan national team coach steered Qatari league champions Al Sadd to an unprecedented domestic treble last season after only 18 months in charge, winning the league and both cup competitions.

"My first priority is to make the players play their hearts out," Fossati said. "I don't promise big results."

Qatar had a disappointing Asian Cup campaign last month after their one defeat and two draws left them bottom of Group B.

Villarreal sign deal with Man' United striker Rossi

MADRID: Villarreal have reached an agreement with Manchester United to sign striker Giuseppe Rossi on a six-year contract, the Primera Liga club said on Tuesday.

Rossi will take a medical and be presented at the Madrigal on Wednesday. Media reports have put the transfer fee at around 10 million euros ($13.7 million).

The 20-year-old American-born Italian spent the second half of last season on loan with Serie A side Parma, and scored nine goals to help them avoid relegation.

Rossi, an Italian under-21 international, joined United from Parma in July 2004 and last year signed a contract extension until 2010.

Villarreal have been on the hunt for a striker after selling Uruguayan top scorer Diego Forlan to Atletico Madrid for 21 million euros last month.

They finished fifth in the Primera Liga to earn a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Tottenham sign Boateng from Hertha Berlin

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur have signed 20-year-old German midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng from Hertha Berlin for an undisclosed fee, estimated by German media at five million pounds ($10.16 million).

Spurs manager Martin Jol told their Web site (www.tottenhamhotspur.com): "He is an attacking midfield player, very strong and that is one of his main assets...In Germany he is regarded as one of the biggest talents."

Raiders sign veteran QB Culpepper to one-year deal

SAN FRANCISCO: The Oakland Raiders signed quarterback Daunte Culpepper to a one-year free agent contract on Tuesday, bringing in the veteran to provide competition and help guide top draft pick JaMarcus Russell in his rookie season.

"We are excited to have Daunte, to add him to the mix and see if he can help us," Oakland coach Lonnie Kiffin said in a statement.

"We think that he adds definite competition."

Russell, the first pick in the NFL draft, has yet to sign with the team and is not at training camp.

(China Daily 08/02/2007 page23)