Cicinho bound for Madrid

Real Madrid CF

Former Paris Saint-Germain FC boss Luis Fernandez has been named as the new sporting director at Beitar Jerusalem FC after agreeing a three-year deal with club owner Arkady Gaidamak. Francis Llacer will assist the 46-year-old Fernandez, with current coaches Guy Azuri and Ton Kaanen keeping their place within the new set-up. "I didn't come to Jerusalem to take anybody's job, but to lend my knowledge and experience in order to take this club as high as possible," said Fernandez.

Tromsø IL goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld has agreed to join Norwegian rivals Rosenborg BK following the UEFA Cup group stage. Speaking after signing a deal which ties him to his new club until the end of 2008, the 27-year-old Canadian international said: "I feel ready for the challenge of competing for a first-team place at a big club like Rosenborg."

FC Tobol Kostanay and Kazakhstan captain Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev has been voted his country's player of 2005 for the second time. Having missed the start of the season, Zhumaskaliyev returned to score nine goals in 22 appearances. Tobol's Dmitry Ogay picked up the coaching gong, while midfield duo Nikita Khokhlov (FC Zhenis Astana) and Alexey Shakin (FC Vostok) were each named as rising stars.

FC Nantes Atlantique midfielder Jérémy Toulalan will be out until after the winter break after spraining his knee during the first leg of France's UEFA European Under-21 Championship victory against England. Toulalan left the pitch after 22 minutes of the game in London and is not expected to recover before the start of the Ligue 1 recess on 22 December. "He will have to rest for four weeks before gradually coming back to action," said a Nantes statement.

Real Sociedad de Fútbol striker Darko Kovacević is confident he will play again this season despite opting for surgery to deal with an achilles tendon injury. "It was a difficult decision but I have reached the point where I can't stand the pain and suffering any longer," the 32-year-old Serbo-Montenegrin said. "I'm always optimistic, however, and I'm sure I will be back soon and that I will be able to play before the end of the season."

RC Deportivo La Coruña midfielder Víctor Sánchez has finally recovered from the knee injury which has wrecked his season so far and is in contention to play against Real Racing Club Santander this weekend. The 29-year-old injured a ligament in his right knee in pre-season before suffering a recurrence in September.

RC Celta de Vigo will take their case to the Spanish law courts as they seek to overturn a two-year doping ban handed to veteran midfielder Everton Giovanella by FIFA. The move follows the decision by the Spanish Football Federation to reject Celta's appeal against the suspension.

Real Zaragoza defender Agustín Aranzábal faces more time on the sidelines after suffering the recurrence of the calf injury which has kept the 32-year-old out of action for the last month and a half.

RC Strasbourg have decided against keeping former Germany striker Fredi Bobic after his three-day trial with the Ligue 1 strugglers. "He was in perfect mental and physical shape but he is too similar to [current Strasbourg forward] Mickaël Pagis," said coach Jacky Duguépéroux.

Bolton Wanderers FC forward El Hadji Diouf has been fined €700 by magistrates in the north-east of England following an incident in which he spat towards a home supporter during the Premiership match at Middlesbrough FC last season.

Meanwhile, United States international forward Josh Wolff is training with English Premiership side Everton FC. The 28-year-old plays for Major League Soccer outfit Kansas City Wiz but the American season has ended and only resumes in April.