French Euro 2000 star David Trezeguet arrived at his new club Italian Serie A giants Juventus yesterday. The 22-year-old, who scored the winner in France's victory over Italy on Sunday, has signed a five year contract at Juventus who paid French outfit Monaco $22 million for him.
"You wanted a major coup and here he is," said Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi to the crowd of journalists. Trezeguet is called Treze-gol in France in hommage to AS Roma's Gabriel Batistuta, his idol and nicknamed Batigol.
"Yes, he's my idol but I don't know if I'll manage to play as well as him," he said. Trezeguet also spoke highly of the Serie A league itself. "I know your league is the most difficult, Zidane (Zinedine) and Deschamps (Didier) have told me all about it. They also told me Juve is a huge, professional and very serious club. Some people say that I'm a difficult character, it's just that I've got a strong will to win and I'm here to win a place in the first team and do believe I'll manage that."
La Nacion, the Buenos Aires daily awarded Trezeguet personality of the week citing the pride of seeing one of Argentina's sons crowned champion of Europe. The player grew up in Argentina where he played with Buenos Aires outfit Platense before moving to Monaco aged 17.
Everton confirmed the signing of Steve Watson from Aston Villa for £2.5 million. The 26-year-old has signed a fiveyear deal after passing Monday's medical.
Watson said: "I can say without a doubt this is a top-six club and I just think the only way is up for Everton due to the management we have got."
Everton manager Walter Smith was equally delighted and said: "We're pleased that Steve has decided to join us. I think we have had problems settling with our full back positions over the past two seasons, and hopefully Steve can help us out in that department.
FC Porto's Brazilian international striker Mario Jardel has signed a fouryear contract with UEFA Cup winners Galatasaray.
Under the deal, Jardel, 26, and the Istanbul outfit have agreed an extension clause for an additional three years upon mutual agreement, Galatasaray spokesman Ali Durust said.
The transfer of Jardel, top scorer for the past four seasons and two-time European Golden Boot winner, would cost Galatasaray a total of $28.5 million. Jardel had two seasons left on his contract with Porto, and his get-out clause was set at $16 million.
Galatasaray are also expected to transfer Romanian international striker Viorel Moldovan in a bid to fill the place of star forward Hakan Sukur, who is set to join Italian Serie A side Inter Milan next season.
Norwegian club Valerenga claim they have turned down a chance to take Paul Gascoigne on loan from Middlesbrough.
"We are not a summer rehabilitation centre," said chairman Morten Grodhal.
Gascoigne still has a year left on his contract at the Riverside Stadium, but his future remains uncertain.
