Blackburn agree Enckelman deal

Blackburn Rovers FC have signed Finnish international goalkeeper Peter Enckelman from Aston Villa FC for an undisclosed fee.

Improved offer
Villa accepted an improved offer from their Premiership rivals for the 26-year-old who has been on loan at Ewood Park since November. Blackburn manager Graeme Souness said: "We have struck a deal with Aston Villa and the player is having a medical." Enckelman will provide cover for first-choice keeper Brad Friedel.

Ferdinand news
Elsewhere in England, Manchester United FC defender Rio Ferdinand has been told he has until 19 January to appeal against his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test. The English Football Association punishment had been due to start on 12 January but it will now begin on 20 January if he chooses not to appeal.

Odra lose sports director
Polish club MKS Odra Wodzislaw Slaski have lost the services of their sports director Edward Socha, who has joined champions Wisla Kraków. "I am sorry to leave Odra, where I spent five years but working for the champions is the greatest challenge," he said. Socha, 54, will be responsible for recruiting new players.

Marschall matters
Former 1. FC Kaiserslautern striker Olaf Marschall will return to his old club as personal assistant to chairman René C Jäggi. Marschall, whose 21 goals in the 1997/98 season secured the club's most recent Bundesliga title, has agreed to rejoin the struggling outfit until the end of the season when his position will be reviewed. "It is great to be back," he said. "I had my best time as a player with the club and now I want to help where I can."

Slavia blow
In Bulgaria, PFC CSKA Sofia have signed Bulgarian youth international Kostadin Hazurov from second division PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad. The 18-year-old forward has signed a two-and-a-half year contract. There was unhappy news for PFC Slavia Sofia, meanwhile, as their Bulgaria Under-21 striker Dimitar Rangelov will be sidelined until March at the earliest after breaking a leg in training.

Neaga option
FC Steaua Bucuresti striker Adrian Neaga has joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr on a six-month loan, in a deal worth around €80,000. At the end of the loan Al-Nassr will have the option of buying the 24-year-old.

Martel departure
Finally, SBV Vitesse have announced that French midfield player Didier Martel has left the club by mutual consent. Formerly at FC Utrecht, Martel never really settled at the Gelredome stadium.