A round-up of today's other soccer stories in brief.

Shelbourne sign seven players 

Shelbourne confirmed the extent of their mid-season rebuilding yesterday when the club announced the arrival of seven new players to Tolka Park, writes Emmet Malone.

Marc McCulloch (Arbroath), former Drogheda United defender Stuart Malcolm, Lee Roche (formerly of Bray), Anto Whelan (ex-Dundalk), Mark Rooney (St Patrick's Athletic) and Alan Keely (Waterford United) have all joined the first division outfit, while former Shamrock Rovers midfielder Mark O'Brien arrives from Bohemians on loan.

Cobh Ramblers, meanwhile, have taken Cork City under-21 pair Declan Cahill and Karl Caulfield until the end of the season.

Sutton retires

Chris Sutton (34) has retired due to the eye problem which has prevented him playing this year, his agent announced yesterday. The former Celtic and Blackburn striker was out of contract at Aston Villa, for whom he signed in October. He has played in just nine matches for the club, with the blurred vision which arose in a game against Manchester United on December 23rd keeping him sidelined for the rest of the season.

Spurs spend again

Tottenham have continued their summer spending spree by signing France Under-21 defender Younes Kaboul from Auxerre. The 21-year-old has been compared to Marcel Desailly and was targeted by a host of European clubs before sealing his switch to White Hart Lane in a deal valued at around £7.5million.

Tottenham also remain keen to sign Curtis Davies from West Bromwich Albion.

Brazil win

Defending champions Brazil beat Ecuador 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Wednesday after Chile had also advanced to the last eight by holding Mexico to a goalless draw.

The results mean the United States and Colombia, who each lost their opening two matches, were eliminated before meeting in their last game in Group C last night.

In brief . . .

Fulham have signed Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis (22) from Aston Villa for a fee estimated to be £4 million . . . Aston Villa have completed the signing of West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker for a fee believed to be around £8.5million . . . Sheffield United have signed defender Gary Naysmith from Everton for £1 million . . . West Ham have signed Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright on a free transfer . . . Blackburn captain and New Zealand international central defender Ryan Nelsen has signed a new five-year contract.