Hearts increase Czech balance

Heart of Midlothian FC

Olympique de Marseille's Habib Bamogo will spend the season on loan at Ligue 1 rivals FC Nantes Atlantique. "Nantes are delighted to announce the arrival of striker Habib Bamogo," Nantes stated today. The 23-year-old former French Under-21 international was not part of Marseille coach Jean Fernandez's plans. Bamogo joined the UEFA Intertoto Cup semi-finalists last summer after scoring 16 goals for Montpellier Hérault SC in the 2003/04 campaign.

Glenavon FC have dismissed manager Tommy Kincaid despite his success in securing promotion to the Northern Irish Premier Division and winning two cups. The Mourneview Park club said "differences in policy" had emerged with Kincaid, who recently signed a two-year contract extension.

Bulgarian UEFA Cup contenders PFC Levski Sofia have released midfielder Sasa Simonovic by mutual consent. The 30-year-old won one domestic championship and three Bulgarian Cups after arriving from FK Obilic of Serbia and Montenegro in April 2002.

Cádiz CF forward Matías Pavoni has been handed a one-year contract extension by the newly-promoted Primera División side. The 24-year-old Argentinian has scored 21 league goals in three seasons since landing from Instituto Atlético Córdoba when Cádiz were languishing in Spain's third tier.

Gavin McCann has signed an two-year extension to his contract with Aston Villa FC keeping him at the Premiership club until summer 2008. The 27-year-old midfield player moved to Villa in 2003 from Sunderland AFC but his stay has been blighted by injury.