Kaka received a commemorative shirt on his return to Sau Paulo club.
Former England defender Ashley Cole has signed a two-year deal with AS Roma after leaving Chelsea at the end of last season, the Italian club said in a statement yesterday.
The 33-year-old free agent will earn 2.3 million euros ($3.14 million) a year, according to local media. Roma, back in the Champions League after finishing runners-up to Juventus in Serie A last term, announced Cole’s arrival in the Italian capital for a medical by publishing a photo of the left back on their Twitter feed with the message “Welcome to Rome, Ashley”.
Cole was met at Fiumicino airport by a scrum of reporters and chanting fans. He had eight trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League, as well as four FA Cup titles.
Cole also earned 107 caps in 13 years as an England player but retired from international football after being left out of manager Roy Hodgson’s 2014 World Cup squad.
Roma also announced the signing of Fenerbahce’s Salih Ucan, with the 20-year-old Turkey midfielder agreeing a two-year loan deal that gives the club an option to buy him in 2016 for 11 million euros).
Sao Paulo joy at prodigal Kaka return
Sao Paulo fans on Sunday turned out in their thousands to see the club present former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Kaka for the start of a five-month loan at his former club before he heads to Major League Soccer.
Former Brazil international Kaka, overloooked for the World Cup, will head to Orlando after his loan.
Some 20,000 fans turned out at Sao Paulo’s Morumbi stadium to welcome him back to where it all began in 2001 for the 32-year-old.
“It is emotional to return 11 years later to the club that former me and where I started playing aged eight,” said Kaka. “To return to see family and friends is wonderful. Sao Paulo launched me into the world of football,” said Kaka, full name Ricardo Izecson Leite dos Santos.
“Many thanks to all of you for coming—it is a very special day,” added the veteran, who received a commemorative shirt and launched into a rendition of the club song. He is set to make his second debut for the club at home to Chapecoense on July 19.
Prandelli named Galatasaray manager
Former Italian World Cup coach Cesare Prandelli will replace Roberto Mancini as the next Galatasaray manager, the Turkish club announced.
Prandelli, 56, will succeed fellow Italian Mancini, who left the club after less than a season in charge after leading the Istanbul side to a disappointing second-place finish in the Turkish top-flight last season.
Former Manchester City boss Mancini had signed for three seasons but left after what appeared to be a difference of opinion about the team. He guided them to the Champions League round of 16 at the expense of Juventus and victory in the Turkish Cup final.
Prandelli, who will be officially unveiled today, resigned as Italy’s national team manager after the team failed to get past the group stage at the ongoing World Cup in Brazil.
He had been in charge of the Azzurri since 2010, having previously coached Fiorentina, Roma and Parma.