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Kaka named Italian players' player of the year

MILAN: AC Milan playmaker Kaka was named the Italian players' association player of the year on Monday for leading his side to European Cup glory last May with 10 goals.

The Brazilian was also named best foreign player of 2007 with AS Roma striker Francesco Totti winning the best Italian player award after claiming the European golden boot last season with 26 Serie A goals.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti took home the manager of the year award for guiding his side to second place last season. Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini was not even nominated even though his side romped to the title last term.

Former Lazio No 1 Angelo Peruzzi, who retired in May, was named best goalkeeper with Inter's Marco Materazzi winning the best defender gong and Riccardo Montolivo of Fiorentina scooping the best young player award.

AC Milan striker Ronaldo received a special champion of champions award for his displays for both Milan and Inter during the last 10 years.

Happy Tevez praises United strike partner Rooney

LONDON: Carlos Tevez, enjoying one of the best spells of his career at Manchester United, said he was impressed with fellow striker Wayne Rooney and former England midfielder Paul Scholes.

In an interview with an Argentine radio station, Tevez also said the going was tough in the Premier League and he needed a break at the end of the season, casting doubt over his availability for Argentina against Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in June.

"Rooney is phenomenal. He was one of those who treated me best when I arrived (at United). He would come and talk to me and was concerned about me," Tevez told Radio Del Plata in quotes picked up by La Nacion newspaper.

"Before I got to Manchester he always said he wanted to play with me. He and Scholes are the ones that have impressed me most as players," Tevez said after scoring in United's 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Wise leaves Leeds to join Keegan at Newcastle

LONDON: Dennis Wise is to leave his job as manager of Leeds United to work with Kevin Keegan at Newcastle United, the League One (third division) club said on Monday.

"We have agreed to a compensation package with Newcastle United for the services of Dennis Wise and he will part company with the club on Tuesday after completing the preparations for our game at Southend United that evening," the club said on its website www.leedsunited.com.

"We will always be grateful to Dennis for the way he has turned things around at the club on the playing side and he goes with our best wishes for the future."

Wise's arrival at St James' Park lessens the chance of a role for former striker Alan Shearer, who turned down the number two position last week.

Juve signs Stendardo on loan, Mellberg for July

MILAN: Juventus has signed Lazio defender Guglielmo Stendardo on loan for the rest of the season while Aston Villa's Olof Mellberg will join in July, the Serie A club said on Monday.

Claudio Ranieri's side had also been expected to seal Mohamed Sissoko's transfer from Liverpool before the Mali midfielder headed back to the African Nations Cup in Ghana for a match agaist Cote d'Ivoire on Tuesday.

However, the deal has been delayed with a Juventus spokeswoman declining to comment on the holdup.

Sporting director Alessio Secco told Italian media the signing was very close and also said Portuguese midfielder Tiago would be staying at the club after Tottenham Hotspur ran out of time to conclude a deal.

(China Daily 01/30/2008 page22)