france league News
Marseille 22.7 : Midfielder Mathieu Valbuena will miss Marseille's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after undergoing surgery on a groin injury. It's not yet known how long he'll be sidelined, but it should not be more that six weeks, said the club in a statement. Valbuena, 23, will also miss the start of the new Ligue 1 season.
Lyon 22.7 : Lyon have announced the signing of Ghana defender John Mensah from league rivals Rennes. The French champions have moved quickly to strengthen their roster after Sabastien Squillaci switched to Sevilla and Brazilian defender Anderson returned home with Sao Paulo. Mensah, 25, has penned a five-year deal with Lyon. The transfer fee was reported to be €8.4m.
Paris SG 22.7 : After a successful five seasons at Chelsea, defensive midfielder Claude Makelele has returned to France to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. The 35-year-old has signed a two-year deal and could join the coaching staff after his contract expires. Makelele ended his international career after France's 2-0 loss to Italy at the European Championship last month. PSG have also signed former France winger Ludovic Giuly, Le Havre striker Guillaume Hoarau, the top scorer in the second division last season, and Le Mans midfielder Stephane Sessegnon.
Monaco 22.7 : Monaco have taken United States attacking midfielder Freddy Adu on loan from Benfica for the 2008/09 season with the option of a permanent transfer. The 19-year-old joined Benfica last summer but started only two matches, scoring five goals in 21 appearances as the team finished fifth in the Portuguese league. Adu will play with the U.S. team at the Beijing Olympics next month.
Toulouse 19.7 : Denmark striker Soeren Larsen is leaving Schalke for Toulouse. Larsen joined Schalke in 2005 and still had one year on his contract. He signed a four-year deal with Toulouse. Larsen scored 10 goals for Schalke in 51 Bundesliga games and had five goals in other competitions. He failed to register in an injury-affected last two seasons in Germany but he is hoping his move to the south-west of France will be the start of better things to come. "Everything is set here for me to have good time in Toulouse,” he said.
Marseille 19.7 : Olympique de Marseille have signed Ivorian international striker Bakary Kone from Nice for a reported €10m. The the 26-year-old Kone scored 14 goals in 30 Ligue 1 outings last term. "I fought to get this player on board," said coach Erik Gerets. "I have to thank my directors for this transfer. Should Kone do for us what he did for Nice last season then it would be fantastic."
Paris SG 19.7 : Midfielder Ludovic Giuly, 32, has signed a three-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain for an undisclosed fee. Capped 17 times by France, Giuly joined Roma last summer from Barcelona and scored six times in 32 Serie A games. PSG coach Paul Le Guen said he hoped Giuly's strong background would boost the team. "He can bring speed, experience and the explosiveness that we need," Le Guen said.
Paris SG 12.7 : Paris Saint-Germain have signed Benin international midfielder Stephane Sessegnon from Le Mans on a a four-year contract. The 24-year-old made 61 Ligue 1 appearances for the Stade Leon-Bollee outfit, scoring six goals. "One of his main assets is the fact that he's fast and gets forward," said PSG president Charles Villeneuve.
