Bayer Leverkusen have announced the signing of defender Aleksandar Dragovic from Dynamo Kiev.

Bayer Leverkusen have announced the signing of defender Aleksandar Dragovic from Dynamo Kiev.

The Austria international has signed a five-year contract on the BayArena after a said price of ?20million used to be agreed between the 2 clubs.

"Bayer 04 have signed vital defender Aleksandar Dragovic," the club confirmed via their legit website.

"The Austria international transfers from Ukraine giants Dynamo Kiev, the 25yrs-old signing a five-yr contract valid until June 30, 2021."

Dragovic, who had been linked with most well known League champions Leicestercity, said: "Kiev was once an predominant step for me, but now i'm excited for the Bundesliga, one of the most exceptional leagues on the planet.

"That i can become a member of German giants and Champions League hopefuls Bayer, and in addition play with my [Austria] workforce-mates Julian Baumgartlinger and Ramazan Ozcan, is top notch."

"we're glad our persistence has resulted in success," said managing director Michael Schade. "It was now not convenient, so we're even happier that it's sooner or later completed."

wearing director Rudi Voller brought: "In Aleksandar Dragovic, we have now signed a relevant defender who already has quite a few expertise.

"He brings numerous satisfactory with him."

Dragovic has won two league titles, two domestic cups and the Ukraine tremendous Cup seeing that his move to Kiev from Basel in 2013.

He used to be part of Austria's Euro 2016 crusade however endured a disappointing event, selecting up a purple card in his part's 2-zero opening defeat to Hungary in group F before missing a penalty in the 2-1 loss to Iceland.

Chelsea 25million bid for AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli rejected

Chelsea 25million bid for AC Milan  defender Alessio Romagnoli rejected, the Italian club have verified.

The Blues are in the market for a brand new centre-half with John Terry and Gary Cahill the only fit, regarded avid gamers in that role presently on the books.

Kurt Zouma is targeting a September comeback from a serious knee harm, leaving educate Antonio Conte in need of numbers in the mean time.

Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly is an additional stated goal and Conte may choose to step up his interest within the Senegalese having been knocked back with the aid of Milan.

The Rossoneri introduced via their television channel they had rejected an offer "greater than the rate they paid Roma" for Romagnoli last year.

The 21-year-historical came by means of the ranks on the Stadio Olimpico before an excellent mortgage spell at Sampdoria within the 2014-15 season led to a transfer to San Siro.

Conte, speaking after Saturday's 2-1 win at Watford, highlighted the ought to toughen his squad previous to the closing of the switch window at the end of the month.

He said: "for those who seem now on the Chelsea squad you will see we've simplest four defenders, and these 4 defenders began today.

"[But] if [we have] one harm we're in predicament.

"The club and me we all know this and we are speaking daily to beef up the squad but we all know additionally that it can be very complicated in this market given that it's crazy.

"i don't need to buy simply to purchase, I want to purchase the right participant for Chelsea, for the reward, for the long run, with a excellent prospect. It can be foremost we've got a just right investment for the longer term."

Gareth Bale: this is the best year of my career

Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale reflected on an unforgettable yr that incorporated club and international success.

The attacker helped Madrid to Champions League success earlier than stunningly guiding Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

Bale, in the ultimate round of the first-rate participant in Europe Award along with team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, stated it had been an remarkable year.

"it is a significant honour to be a finalist," he advised 24sata.

"These style of awards you can not win by way of yourself, however by using taking part in for the crew, so I need to thank my staff-mates, both in club and country wide crew, as they're part of this too."

He brought: "winning the Champions League with actual was once the most important factor for me last season.

"It was lengthy and difficult season, however we fought hard and won what we wanted to win.

"For me, it was a fine season, now not only with the club. Now we have had a pleasant Euros, so i'm going to not ever fail to remember this yr."

On the ecu award, Bale mentioned: "it might be excellent to win this award, but I prefer to center of attention on what am i able to do for my group.

"And if it manner i'm going to win some person award, first-rate, however the team comes first."

Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo arrives in Manchester City

Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is closing in on his move to Manchester city after he used to be pictured arriving at Manchester airport on Tuesday.

Bravo has been broadly tipped to make the transfer to the Etihad Stadium for the duration of the transfer window after spending the last two seasons at Camp Nou, for the period of which time he has won La Liga and the Copa del Rey twice and the Champions League in 2015.

City boss Pep Guardiola established that a deal was close at a news conference on Tuesday when he said: "I can not deny what each person knows.

"however until a deal is entire, I can't answer."

Manchester airport's authentic Twitter account posted photographs of Bravo arriving and he could make his premiere League debut towards Hull metropolis on Saturday if the deal is completed in time.

The arrival of the Chilean has also solid into doubt the way forward for Joe Hart, who has played deputy to Willy Caballero up to now this season with doubts as to whether he can play the variety of football Guardiola expects from his goalkeepers.

The britain global has been linked with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Everton.

Juventus striker Simone Zaza set to join West Ham before window closes.

Juventus striker Simone Zaza is set to relocating to West Ham before the switch window closes.

That is in keeping with the participant's father, who spoke to Mediaset top rate (by way of the ​everyday Mail).

Zaza has best been at Juve for one season, but the Turin-centered club are inclined to let him depart -  just no longer for a rival Italian membership.

He spent most of final season on the bench, with Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata ahead of him, and the up to date arrival of Gonzalo Higuain has additional dampened his possibilities.
"West Ham are an answer we might respect and represents whatever extra concrete"' Zaza's father stated to the Italian news outlet.

"we'll ought to see what Juventus do and anticipate news soon.

"we are taking London into severe consideration as his next vacation spot. Simone nonetheless has four years on his contract and would fortunately remain in Turin to provide his contribution.

"Juventus do not want to promote Simone to a direct rival. Milan, Napoli and Roma would be the choices, we are going to see what occurs."

Zaza was once additionally chosen as part of Italy's Euro 16 squad by way of Antonio Conte, and overlooked a valuable penalty in the quarter ultimate stage in opposition to Germany in essentially the most comical of fashions.

Happily, his Euro foible hasn't visible golf equipment drop curiosity in him.

He scored six goals in 21 appearances for Juve last season, with simply 5 of them being starts. And at 25 years ancient with a valuation of under £30m, he might represent worth for cash, exceptionally at West Ham, the place Slaven Bilic has already lost both Andre Ayew and Andy Carroll to harm this season.