Palermo plump for Pisano promise

US Città di Palermo have signed left-back Marco Pisano from UC Sampdoria in a deal that takes defender Pietro Accardi in the opposite direction. Pisano, 24, played 33 Serie A games for Sampdoria last season and has agreed a four-year contract with the Sicilian club. Accardi, 23, made six league appearances and three in the UEFA Cup for Palermo in 2005/06.

Getafe CF have begun their summer rebuilding programme by recruiting defender Alexis Ruano and midfielder Nacho from relegated Primera Divisón side Málaga CF. The pair passed medicals on Friday, with 20-year-old Málaga youth-team product Alexis inking a five-year deal and 25-year-old Nacho signing on for four years.

Dutch side BV Vitesse have signed 28-year-old French defender Sébastien Sansoni from Greek second division team Ethnikos Asteras FC. The centre-back, a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup winner with France in 2005, has agreed a two-year contract with the Arnhem club. He previously played for FC Martigues and LB Châteauroux in France as well as Swiss outfit Neuchâtel Xamax FC.

Denizlispor have named Bosnia-Herzegovnian Faruk Hadžibegić as their new coach following the departure of Nurullah Sağlam. The 49-year-old former Gaziantepspor and Diyarbakırspor boss has signed a two-year contract. "During my talks with the president, I was really impressed with his plans. Denizlispor are a very professional outfit," he said.

Belgian side RAA Louviéroise have been relegated to the third division after failing to gain a licence to compete in the second tier next season. La Louvière had just been demoted from the top flight after finishing bottom of the table. Meanwhile, K. Lierse SK remain under threat of relegation amid accusations of match-fixing which will be heard on 30 June.

Arka Gdynia took a big step towards preserving their Polish Ekstraklasa status with a 2-0 away win against Jagellonia Białystok in the first leg of their promotion/relegation play-off. Grzegorz Pilch scored the first-half opener before an own goal from Jagellonia keeper Maciej Zając doubled the advantage. The second leg takes place on Sunday. Elsewhere in Poland, MKS Pogon Szczecin have terminated the contract of Brazilian striker Edi Andradina by mutual consent. The 31-year-old, who scored ten league goals last term, departs after 18 months at the club.