Strikers boost Charlton and FK Austria

Charlton Athletic FC

Dado Pršo has confirmed his retirement from international football with Croatia because of a worsening knee injury. The 31-year-old Rangers FC forward, who scored nine goals in 32 games for his country, believed the stress of playing extra matches would put too much pressure on his knee. "Dado has been one of the best players Croatia have had over the past few years," said Croatian Football Federation president Vlatko Marković. "Something had to give and he chose to give up playing for Croatia."

Austrian champions FK Austria Wien have insisted that striker Filip Sebo is staying in Vienna, despite strong interest in the Slovakian from Scottish club Rangers FC. Austria director Peter Stöger said: "He will stay as he is an important player. We want to challenge for the title and to try and get into the UEFA Champions League group stage – both attractive aims we can realise with Filip's help." Sebo, 22, scored five goals in 32 league games for Austria last season.

The four Italian clubs found guilty in the Serie A sporting-fraud scandal will begin their appeals at 09.00CET on 22 July, the president of the appeals court has said. Juventus, ACF Fiorentina, S.S. Lazio - who have all been relegated and will start next season with points deducted - and AC Milan are the clubs in question. The Rossoneri escaped demotion but will kick off the coming campaign with minus 15 points.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have promoted 18-year-old defender Assimiou Touré to their first-team squad following his inclusion in Togo's FIFA World Cup finals squad. Touré, who appeared in his country's matches against Korea Republic and Switzerland to take his cap count to three, has only played for Leverkusen's reserves at club level. He is contracted to the Bundesliga side until 2009.

Beitar Jerusalem FC have agreed a three-year contract with Ghanaian international midfielder Derek Boateng. The 23-year-old made three appearances at the FIFA World Cup and leaves Swedish club AIK Solna, where he was in his fourth season and had made seven appearances this term. "I want to play in Israel and join a club, in Beitar, who are aiming high," he said.

The French Football Federation has confirmed that all tickets have been sold for France's FIFA World Cup final rematch against Italy on 6 September at the Stade de France in Paris. The teams have been drawn together in Group B of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying, with Les Bleus beginning their campaign on 2 September in Georgia.

Portugal Under-21 midfielder Custódio has been appointed captain of Sporting Clube de Portugal after the retirement of Ricardo Sá Pinto. "I feel enormous pride at being Sporting captain," the 23-year-old said. "I will not change as a person and player, although I know I have different responsibilities that I will assume without fear."

In Spain, promoted Gimnàstic de Tarragona have tied striker Antoni Pinilla and midfielder Jesús Mari Serrano to new one-year contracts. The 35-year-old Pinilla has been with the club for five seasons, while the 33-year-old Serrano arrived in 1999. Fellow newcomers RC Recreativo de Huelva have signed defender Dani Bautista on a four-year deal. The 25-year-old spent the 2005/06 campaign on loan at Recreativo from Sevilla FC, playing 33 times. Recreativo have also secured the services of 23-year-old defender Iago Bouzón on a contract until 2010. Bouzón played 24 times while borrowed from RC Celta de Vigo last term.

French Ligue 1 new boys FC Lorient have suffered a blow with striker Julian Pinard being sidelined for around six months by a serious knee injury. The 20-year-old, who made four substitute appearances in Lorient's promotion campaign, sustained the injury in training.

Bulgarian UEFA Cup contenders PFC Litex Lovech have signed Heracles Almelo midfield player Thijs Sluijter on a two-year contract. The left-footer, 26, started his career at SC Heerenveen.

Polish Ekstraklasa newcomers ŁKS Łódź have acquired forward Grzegorz Kmiecik on a one-year loan from Wisła Kraków. The 22-year-old has previously been sent to gain experience at GKS Bełchatów and KSP Polonia Warszawa. Meanwhile, MKS Odra Wodzisław Śląski have landed 23-year-old defender Adam Gmitrzuk on a two-and-a-half year deal from second division KSZO SSA Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski while releasing Damian Augustyniak.