(GSM) Hannover 96 has bolstered their defense with Jan Durica. The Slovakian centre back joins the troubled Bundesliga side from Lokomotiv Moscow.

Hannover manager Andreas Bergmann is very pleased with his latest acquisition.

Jan Durica is a very strong and experienced defender. We are delighted that he has made the decision to join us. He really adds something to the team, said Bergmann on the Hannover website.

The 28-year-old defender previously played for Dunajska Streda, Artmedia Bratislava and Saturn Moscow before joining Lokomotiv in January 2009. He failed to make an impact with the Russians though and has therefore been allowed to move on.

Durica is a regular starter for the Slovakian national team and is likely to be part of the squad that tak…

Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has reiterated his desire to remain with the club, despite renewed reports linking him with a move away.

Di Maria, 25, is believed to be a transfer target of both Arsenal and Turkish Super Lig club Galatasaray with his future in the Spanish capital having been placed under the spotlight by the impending arrival of Tottenham s Gareth Bale.

Bale appears to be nearing a conclusion in his lengthy transfer saga and now looks set to join Real for a world record fee.

He is sure to occupy one of the two wing spots available at the Bernabeu, with Cristiano Ronaldo a certainty to fill the other.

However, Di Maria who joined Real from Benfica in 2010 has no intention of leaving the club.

The Argentinean featured in Real s 1-0 win at G…

Paulo Dybala s planned Juventus renewal has been put on hold once again, but the forward remains confident a new deal will be announced sooner rather than later.

The Serie A champions have long-since been keen to extend Dybala s existing contract in order to reward him for his fine performances since joining the club from Palermo in 2015.

Juventus were hoping to wrap up talks and announce Dybala s renewal in early March, but the 23-year-old s representative has flown to Argentina to attend the birth of his son meaning talks have been postponed for the time being.

My agent has had to return to Argentina for the birth of his son, Dybala told reporters.

That means we will have to wait for a bit longer, but I remain optimistic, the renewal will come.

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Michael Ballack has questioned Bastian Schweinsteiger s decision to move to Manchester United from Bayern Munich.

The 32-year-old was signed by Louis van Gaal in 2015 but has struggled to make an impact during his time at Old Trafford.

Injury problems curtailed Schweinsteiger s involvement last season, before Jose Mourinho ostracised him from the first team following his appointment as manager last year.

Schweinsteiger has battled his way back into Mourinho s plans, making four appearances and scoring one goal, but old team-mate Ballack says his problems in England have not come as a huge surprise.

When the transfer happened, he already was past his prime, because of injuries as well, the former Bayern and Germany star told the media at a sponsor s event…

Carlisle boss Paul Simpson has been charged with misconduct over comments he made about referee Ross Joyce in the wake of his side’s League Two play-off semi-final first leg against Bradford on May 14.

Simpson branded the official a “homer” after his side’s 1-0 defeat at Valley Parade, although the Cumbrians subsequently avenged that defeat in the second leg to set up a Wembley play-off final against Stockport.

The EFL said: “It’s alleged that the manager’s comments regarding the match referee constitute improper conduct as they imply bias, and/or question the integrity of the official, and/or bring the game into disrepute.”

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson)

Simpson has been given until May 25 – three days prior to their We…

What the papers say

Manchester United are “launching a £55 million swoop” for Chelsea forward Mason Mount, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old is also being sought by Liverpool and Arsenal as he enters the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge with his future under increasing uncertainty.

The Independent reports Aston Villa are leading the race to sign Leicester winger Harvey Barnes, 25, in the summer. The Foxes could also lose attacker James Maddison, 26, after a tough season for the struggling club.

West Ham are looking increasingly like they will keep David Moyes on as manager despite constant chatter all season that he would be moved on, The Guardian says. The 60-year-old may now be given another season after reaching the Europa Conference Leag…

Mario Balotelli could be reunited with Jose Mourinho by making a switch to Chelsea, according to the player s agent.

The Italy international previously played under Mourinho at Inter, with both men subsequently departing the club in 2010 as Mourinho moved to La Liga giants Real Madrid and Balotelli signed for Premier League Manchester City.

Balotelli has since returned to Serie A with Milan, while Mourinho began his second second stint in charge at Stamford Bridge in June.

The pair reportedly had several fall-outs during their time at Inter, with Mourinho once branding the striker unmanageable .

But the player s agent, Mino Raiola, insists that their differences have been resolved and that Balotelli is in contact with his former coach.

Balotelli and Mourinh…

Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has joined Manchester City from Barcelona on a five-year deal, the English Premier League club announced Friday

The 28-year-old finalised the details of his move to Eastlands this week after the Ivory Coast were knocked out of the World Cup.

It means Toure will join brother Kolo, City s captain, at the north-west side who earlier this week signed David Silva from Valencia.

This is another fantastic signing for Manchester City, and I am very pleased Yaya has joined us, he is a very good player, manager Roberto Mancini told the club s website, www.mcfc.co.uk.

Everyone knows Yaya is a player that we have admired for a long time, and we would like to welcome him to Manchester City, the Italian added.

He has played…

Former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has strongly criticised the Liga champions for treating him disrespectfully before his move to Juventus last year.

The Brazil international won a remarkable 23 titles across eight seasons at Camp Nou but left on a free transfer to join the Serie A giants.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC, Alves accused Barcelona s board of failing to discuss the prospect of a new contract with him until the club were hit by a player registration ban in 2014 for breaking FIFA rules related to signing young players.

I like being loved and if they do not want me, I m leaving, the 33-year-old said.

During my last three seasons I always heard that Alves was leaving but the management never said anything to me.

They wer…

Chile’s football federation have announced the appointment of Juan Antonio Pizzi as national team head coach.

Argentine Pizzi, 47, will begin his reign from next week after replacing the recently departed Jorge Sampaoli.

Pizzi agreed a deal which will keep him in the post with the Copa America champions until the end of the 2018 World Cup.

A statement on Chile’s official website read: The Board of the National Association of Professional Football (ANFP) established an agreement with Juan Antonio Pizzi to assume the post of Technical Director of the Chile national football team, starting next week.

President of the ANFP Arturo Salah added: We are very pleased with the arrival of Juan Antonio Pizzi. A professional who gives us a lot of confidence, has…