Bulgaria end year on a high

Bulgaria have increased their undefeated run to seven games since the post-UEFA EURO 2004™ appointment of Hristo Stoitchkov after defeating Spanish province Valenciana last night. Forwards Dimitar Berbatov and Vladimir Manchev scored on 18 and 57 minutes respectively to put Bulgaria in control, and Stoyan Kolev saved a penalty from Javi Moreno 12 minutes from the end. Moreno did claim a consolation in the last minute but victory for the visitors to Valencia had been sealed.

Defender José Fortes Rodriguez has ended a decade-long spell at AZ Alkmaar to join Eredivisie rivals RBC Roosendaal. The 32-year-old Spaniard, Alkmaar captain until last season, has signed a contract until the end of this season with an option for a further two years.

Struggling French side FC Nantes Atlantique have signed Malian striker Mamadou Diallo from Algerian club USM Alger - with Gabonese striker Shiva N'Zigou making way. Diallo, 22, joins for a €700,000 fee and has signed a six-month deal, that could be extended until the end of the 2007/08 season. "I know that Nantes are struggling at the moment," said Daillo. "I hope everything will be back in order for the second half of the season and that I can lend a hand." Meanwhile, 21-year-old N'Zigou has been loaned to Ligue 2 side FC Gueugnon having played just six top-flight games this term.

DSC Arminia Bielefeld sporting director Thomas von Heesen has signed a new contract keeping him at the Bundesliga club until summer 2006. Arminia president Hans-Hermann Schwick said: “Thomas von Heesen is largely responsible for the positive development of the club and we are happy to have signed a new deal."

Italian full-back Paolo Vanoli will leave Scottish Premier League side Rangers FC during the January transfer window. The 32-year-old former Parma FC and ACF Fiorentina defender has been negotiating an amicable release from his contract.

Elsewhere in Scotland, Aberdeen FC goalkeeper David Preece, has been ruled out for six weeks with a broken finger. The Englishman's deputy, locally-born Ryan Esson, kept a clean sheet in Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC.