TheDailySoccerNews.com

MADRID — He has a contract with one of soccer’s biggest clubs and the same long, floppy hair and nickname Leo of his idol, Lionel Messi.

It may take awhile, however, before Leonel Angel Coira can match the wondrous Messi: He is 7 years old.

Real Madrid said Monday it signed the Argentine prodigy to its youth academy after seeing him in tryouts. He will start training with Madrid’s youth team Sept 6.

Coira hopes to follow the path set by Messi, a countryman who joined Barcelona from the Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys as a teenager and has gone on to win the World Player of the Year award two times.

“(My) dream is to meet Messi, play in the first division with Madrid and for Argentina in the World Cup,” Coira told the Spanish newspaper ABC.

The signing underscores the tactics of top teams scooping up fresh talent as early as possible to avoid paying huge transfer fees when their potential blossoms. And the Spanish soccer power didn’t have to look as far as Argentina to find this gem.

Coira’s family moved to Madrid three years ago after his father, Miguel, was offered a job in the Spanish capital. Miguel Coira coaches a local youth club where Leonel played and first caught the eye of a Madrid scout.

The 7-year-old was then invited to a trial with Madrid and signed a one-year contract with the club’s youngest team, the “Benjamin” squad, made up of mostly under-9 players.

Madrid reportedly made the push to sign Coira because Atletico Madrid was also pursuing the youngster.

“After tryouts with both clubs, he felt more comfortable with (Real) Madrid,” Miguel Coira told ABC. “I trust the club a lot. I know they will take good care of him.”

Club spokesman Juan Tapiador said Coira wasn’t the youngest player ever to sign with Madrid, although he couldn’t name anyone younger. He said players of any age can join Real Madrid, with one stipulation.

“They only have to be a standout,” he said. “We look for something different, that quality or talent that makes them stand out from the rest.”

Signing children is nothing new in soccer, where almost every professional club has an extensive youth academy — like Barcelona’s famous “La Masia,” where dozens of young players live and train from the age of 11. Coira even looks downright old compared to the 18-month-old toddler that Dutch club VVV Venlo signed to a largely symbolic 10-year contract this year after seeing his ability to kick a soccer ball.

While many of the young talents never develop into professional players, clubs are constantly hoping to strike gold with the next Messi, who has already helped Barcelona win 15 trophies, including three Champions League titles and five Spanish league championships.

Miguel Coira said his family receives no financial compensation from Madrid, but the team does “pay for transport.”

“The contract is for one year and if everything works out it can be renewed for another,” he said. “When he is 16 years old, he can play in the first division and then the terms are different.”

The Real Madrid youth squad will play in a league of seven-a-side teams in Madrid, which also includes Real’s cross-city rival, Atletico. The youth squad usually has about 18 players split into two teams. Every year, the club reviews each player’s development and a decision is made on whether he should continue.

Madrid has dozens of scouts on its payroll scouring the capital for the next great star, and many more across Spain and other countries.

“It is an important network for capturing talent,” Tapiador said, adding that scouts draw up reports on possible targets and confer with youth coaches on which players to approach and possibly sign.

Goalkeeper and senior team captain Iker Casillas, for example, began training with Madrid’s youth system when he was 9.

Last week, Coira told the Argentine sports daily Ole that his favorite move is the “cano” — a difficult dribbling maneuver in which the ball is passed between the legs of an opponent. He prefers to “provide the pass” rather than score.

Coira has a Facebook page featuring photos of his visit to Real Madrid. He also has an older brother who plays for the Spanish team Real Valladolid.

Juanjo Montaner, a spokesman for the Spanish professional players association, told The Associated Press that Coira is not a member of the group and there is no organization that represents the interests of youth players.

“Obviously, he is not affiliated,” he said. “He must be in the top three divisions, and no child is.”

Brazilian club Corinthians say they have not yet struck a deal to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.

On Sunday, City boss Roberto Mancini claimed a deal had been reached for the 27-year-old, with only personal terms still to be agreed.

But a Corinthians statement said: “We would like to clarify to the public that City did not accept our offer.

“City sent a counter-proposal in the early hours… and this will be analysed by Corinthians.”

Tevez’s representative Kia Joorabchian also insisted that, contrary to Mancini’s comments on City’s pre-season tour, the clubs had not yet settled on a fee despite Corinthians returning with an improved bid understood to be about £40m.

“There is no agreement at the moment but we are working hard and we will see what happens,” he told BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty. (continue reading…)

Liverpool have completed the signing of midfielder Charlie Adam from Blackpool.

The Scot, 25, signed a contract on Thursday after successfully completing a medical, the club’s official website said. The length of the contract or the fee have not yet been disclosed.

“I am absolutely delighted to be here,” Adam told Liverpoolfc.tv.

“It has been a long process but now I can’t wait to get started and hopefully this will be a successful period in my career and in the club’s history.”

He added: “Liverpool is a massive club with terrific players and a terrific manager.

“I see this as the perfect development for me to come here, play with such wonderful players and hopefully help the team to win trophies, because that’s the most important thing. (continue reading…)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is set to be reunited once again with his one-time prodigy Joe Cole after the Liverpool midfield player conceded that is future may not be at Anfield much past the end of this season.
The England international only arrived on Merseyside on a lucrative free transfer from Chelsea last summer, commanding wages of £90,000 a week, however, the 29 year old has endured a horrific first campaign at Anfield that has been disrupted by a combination of a total loss of form, injury and suspensions.
And, with his mentor Redknapp reported to be waiting in the wings to bring the player back to London, Cole has admitted in a frank interview that his future most probably now lies away from Liverpool.
“It has been difficult this season,” Cole said.
“I find myself playing these Europa League games trying to catch up but I am still nice and positive, still myself.”
(continue reading…)

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of defender David Luiz from Benfica for an undisclosed fee.

Luiz, who has signed a five-and-a-half year contract, joins Chelsea as the third Brazilian in the current squad, linking up with former Benfica team-mate Ramirez  and fellow central-defender Alex.

He said: ‘I am delighted to be joining a big English club, and I know very well the quality that Chelsea has.

‘It is a major challenge for me but I am determined and confident in my ability to adapt to this excellent league, and I look forward to meeting my new-team mates.’

Now 23, David Luiz Moreira Marinho was born on April 22, 1987 in Sao Paulo and began his career with Esporte Clube Vitoria in Bahia where he made 47 appearances. (continue reading…)

Blackburn Rovers want to sign former world player of the year Ronaldinho and persuade football icon David Beckham to come to them on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

Rovers’ manager Steve Kean said the prospect of AC Milan star Ronaldinho and Beckham coming to Ewood Park during the January transfer window was a sign of the ambition shown by the club’s new Indian owners.

“If you asked any Premier League manager if they wanted somebody who had been the world player of the year twice, then I reckon they would say ‘yes I’m interested,” he told the club’s website on Tuesday.

“It is something that puts us on the map as far as trying to bring players of great stature to the club.”

Who will be the bargain signings of the January sales?

Poultry giants Venky’s took control of the Blackburn in November and sacked former boss Sam Allardyce the following month when they handed the role to Kean. (continue reading…)

David Beckham could be set to return to the English Premier League after an eight-year absence.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp confirmed Friday that he is interested in signing the former England captain on a short-term loan.

As in the previous two seasons, Beckham — who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy — is thought to be interested in playing top-level football for two months prior to the start of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season in March.

In 2009 and 2010, the midfielder completed loan spells with current Serie A league leaders AC Milan.

Several English clubs are thought to be interested in signing the 35-year-old on loan, but Spurs are thought to be his preferred choice because of the club’s proximity to his UK residence in Hertfordshire.

The London club, which missed out on signing Beckham as a teenager, are also only a short distance away from where he was born in Leytonstone, east London.

Ferguson: No need for major signings

Redknapp hopes Spurs club chairman Daniel Levy can persuade Los Angeles Galaxy to lend Beckham to Tottenham.

If the move is confirmed, it would make Beckham eligible for key fixtures in the Premier League.

Spurs are due to face Beckham’s old team Manchester United mid-January and play Arsenal in February.

During the same period Spurs also face AC Milan over two legs in the first knockout stage of the Champions League.

Speculation in Italy is rife that Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will join Manchester United after he was found house-hunting in the city.

Tuttosport claims that Buffon and his fiancee Alena Seredova have been looking a prospective new homes and a new school for their children.

Despite consistent denials by agent Silvano Martina, voices claim that Buffon could move to Old Trafford for €20 million (£17.7m), and United will foster a €6m (£5.3) per annum wage deal.

The goalkeeper has been out of action since injuring his back at the World Cup, but he is expected to return in the new year.?

On Wednesday the 24-year-old striker said concerns over the club’s squad strength were behind his original decision not to sign a new deal.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “I’m delighted Wayne’s agreed to stay.”

Rooney stated: “I said on Wednesday the manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that convinced me to stay.”

He added: “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. I’ve spoken to the manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this where I belong.

“I am signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history - which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.
“I am sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they have read and seen. (continue reading…)