Goalkeeper Marco Ambrosio has joined Grasshopper-Club until the end of December after his contract at Chelsea FC was cancelled. The Swiss club moved for the 31-year-old Italian after Liechtenstein international Peter Jehle was ruled out for six weeks by injury. The former UC Sampdoria and AC Chievo Verona shot-stopper had a run of matches between the posts at the end of last season, including UEFA Champions League quarter and semi-final appearances, but with the arrival of Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini's return to fitness, his first-team chances look limited. Meanwhile, Grasshoppers' 22-year-old striker Önder Cengel has switched to Turkish side Fenerbahçe SK on a free transfer.

In Germany, Hamburger SV have suffered a blow with the news that Namibian international Collin Benjamin will be sidelined for six weeks by a broken left hand. The 26-year-old sustained the injury in a training ground accident on Tuesday and will undergo surgery next week. Benjamin was in the Hamburg side that lost 2-0 against FC Bayern München on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga season. Following Tomáš Ujfaluši's recent departure for ACF Fiorentina, the midfield anchor will be missed. "The squad situation is very tight so Collin's injury is a blow for us," coach Klaus Toppmöller said.

Maltese club Msida St. Joseph FC have signed defender Clint Micallef from Premier League runners-up Birkirkara FC on a season's loan. The 22-year-old has joined Msida to gain first-team experience. His signature comes less than a week after former Maltese Under-21 international captain Kevin Sammut arrived for the season from champions Sliema Wanderers FC.

Russian Premier League strugglers FC Kuban Krasnodar have signed Bulgarian international defender Ivailo Petkov. The 28-year old left-back, who was released by Turkish champions Fenerbahçe this summer, has signed a contract until the end of the 2004/05 season. Kuban lie second bottom of the division.