Lapira lands Rangers trial:Rangers are taking a close look at Republic of Ireland international Joseph Lapira after handing the Baton Rouge Capitals striker a trial.
The 20-year-old was expected in Scotland to train with Aberdeen, but has made Murray Park his first port of call and was training yesterday.
Louisiana-born Lapira, who has an Irish mother, won his first cap for Ireland as a substitute against Ecuador on May 23rd, despite his amateur status.
He is the holder of the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to the best US college player. Past winners have included Claudio Reyna, Alexi Lalas and Brad Friedel.
Ljungberg to West Ham
West Ham have completed their fifth summer signing, with Frederik Ljungberg arriving from Arsenal for a fee which could rise to €4.5 million.
The Sweden captain has signed a four-year deal at Upton Park after passing a medical and is ending a nine-year association with the club he joined from Halmstads for the same fee in 1998.
Ljungberg joins Julien Faubert, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Richard Wright in moving to Upton Park since the club's dramatic, final-day survival last season.
Ljungberg left Arsenal because he felt like "it was the end" for the club as he knew it following Thierry Henry's move. He said: "Two years ago, when I signed my last contract, we talked a lot about the future and about bringing great players to the club. Despite building the new stadium, we wanted to stay top in England and do well in Europe.
"For me that didn't really happen.
"I stayed because I wanted to stay loyal to Arsenal. But when Henry left this summer, it felt like the end for me unfortunately. I felt like all the unbeaten players (from Arsenal's 'invincibles' of 2003-04) had left. I wanted to be loyal but I felt like it was the right time."
Baines to talk to Keane
Sunderland have finally been given permission to speak to Wigan Athletic defender Leighton Baines.
Reports suggest Sunderland have been given the go-ahead to open talks with the 22-year-old left back, although the clubs have yet to agree a fee.
Manager Roy Keane has been chasing the England under-21 international for several weeks and has seen three bids rejected by their Premiership rivals.
However, it appears he will now get his chance to persuade €9 million-rated Baines that his future lies at the Stadium of Light.
Keane is keen to strengthen further at the back, where his efforts to land Celtic's Bobo Balde and Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon have so far come to nothing.
Finnan to pen new deal
Steve Finnan has been rewarded for his performances for Liverpool with a new three-year contract.
The Republic of Ireland full back has agreed terms and is expected to sign when the Liverpool squad return from their pre-season tour of Asia.
Finnan (31), was signed from Fulham by former boss Gerard Houllier for €5.2 million four years ago.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)