THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BLACKBURN, England — Blackburn signed former Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado on a free transfer on Wednesday.
The former Spain international signed a two-year deal, two weeks after Madrid cancelled his contract a year early, the Premier League club said on its website.
Salgado is the latest big name to be brought to England by Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce, who initiated the unlikely signings of Fernando Hierro, Youri Djorkaeff and Jay-Jay Okocha when he was at Bolton.
The 33-year-old Salgado’s chances of staying at Madrid seemed to end when the club signed Liverpool right back Alvaro Arbeloa during the off-season.
After joining Madrid from Celta Vigo in 1999, Salgado made 371 appearances in all competitions for Madrid, winning 11 trophies including two Champions Leagues and four Spanish league titles.
Sotiris Kyrgiakos quits AEK, intends to join Liverpool
ATHENS, Greece — Greece international central defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos says he intends to join Liverpool after receiving an offer from the Premier League club.
His current club AEK Athens confirmed Kyrgiakos’ departure, leaving the 30-year-old out of the squad for Thursday’s Europa League game against Romanian club Vaslui.
Kyrgiakos announced the news on his website late Tuesday and described his decision to move to England as "irrevocable."
"This is the biggest challenge of my career. I have accepted Liverpool’s proposal," the player wrote.
The six-foot-three defender moved back to Greece last year after three seasons at Glasgow Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt.
In a statement Wednesday, AEK said a final deal with Liverpool had not yet been reached, but said: "We respect his decision and have repeatedly stated that we never keep any player against his will for whatever reason."
It added: "The timing of the departure of Sotiris Kyrgiakos … came at the worst possible moment for our club."
Greece’ league championship starts this weekend, with AEK facing champion Olympiakos Sunday.
Arsenal striker Vela recovering from ankle injury
LONDON — Arsenal striker Carlos Vela is recovering from an ankle injury he picked up during international duty with the Mexico national team, his agent said.
Vela’s absence in Arsenal’s first two games of the season had led to speculation that the club may have been looking to move him out on loan. He was not present for Arsenal’s 6-1 victory at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday or the 2-0 defeat of Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Reports have linked him with a season-long loan move to Fulham as part of a deal for defender Brede Hangeland.
Vela’s agent Eduardo Hernandez said the 20-year-old is recovering from an injury to his right ankle picked up during the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament and that Arsenal is resting him as a precaution. It was not immediately clear when Vela would be fit.
Hernandez did not address the speculation over a possible loan move.
Last season was Vela’s first with Arsenal. He made 14 Premier League appearances, but only twice as a starter and he scored one goal. He made eight Champions League appearances, six as a substitute and also scored a hat trick in the League Cup.
US businessman to buy Italian club Bari
MILAN — AS Bari has signed a preliminary deal for the sale of the Serie A club to American businessman Timothy Barton.
The transfer of ownership is to be completed by Oct. 31, at which time Barton will become club president, Bari said in a statement posted on its website Tuesday. Vincenzo Matarrese will continue as president in the interim.
"This is a fantastic opportunity," Barton said in a statement. "The Bari fans are passionate about their team, and with the new management, we hope to grow this franchise into one of the most successful and competitive in Europe."
Barton’s JMJ Holding specializes in buying and managing luxury properties around the world, according to the company’s website.