Holders Manchester United will face Celtic in the Champions League group stages following the draw in Monaco.

UEFA general secretary David Taylor has warned that forming a Great Britain football side for the Olympics could see Scotland 'disappear off the international stage'.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill spelled out his delight at seeing his side reach the first round proper of the UEFA Cup for the first time in seven years.

Aston Villa are through to the first round proper of the UEFA Cup for the first time in seven years despite being held by the Icelandic part-timers in a low-key second leg at Villa Park tonight.

Bayern Munich forward Luca Toni will return to his former club Fiorentina for their debut Champions League campaign after the clubs were drawn together in Group F on Thursday.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill revealed that the reigning European Cup holders are 'pretty pleased' following the draw for the group stages of this season's UEFA Champions League.

Everton have completed the signing of Ecuadorian midfielder Segundo Castillo on a season-long loan from Red Star Belgrade.

Manchester City had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank as they fortuitously progressed to the UEFA Cup first round with a penalty shoot-out victory over FC Midtjylland.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes was delighted to celebrate 'a positive day all round' after signing Shaun Wright-Phillips and seeing his side qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Alex Ferguson is likely to use Friday's European Super Cup match against Zenit St Petersburg as the perfect opportunity to revitalise his Manchester United team after a tricky start to the season.

Manchester City have re-signed Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee; but reported to be around £9million.

AC Milan defender Massimo Oddo admitted the decision to leave the San Siro was a tough one after joining Bayern Munich on a one-year loan deal.

Bolton Wanderers have confirmed striker Kevin Davies has signed a new contract, committing him to the club until the summer of 2011.

West Brom Albion defender Paul Robinson has signed a new two-year contract up until the end of the 2009-2010 season, the club have confirmed.

Real Madrid forward Robinho should complete his ?36m (£28.7m) transfer to Chelsea in time to make his debut in the home derby with Tottenham Hotspur, according to his agent Wagner Ribeiro.

Georgia will play their home World Cup qualifier against Ireland on September 6 in the German city of Mainz, FIFA announced on Thursday.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will have a groin operation on Friday and will miss both of England's crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Andorra and Croatia next week.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has defended his club against criticism they acted in a high-handed manner in their attempts to land Valencia's David Villa and Villarreal's Santi Cazorla.

Former-Toulouse coach Elie Baup has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant coaching post at Ligue 1 side Nantes.

Hamburg SV have agreed to sign Germany defender Marcell Jansen from fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Munich, the club said on its website on Thursday.