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Brain injury charity slams Fifa over Mascherano
Brain injury charity Headway has criticised Fifa after Argentina's Javier Mascherano was allowed to play on despite sustaining a potentially serious head injury.
The Albiceleste midfielder collided with Georginio Wijnaldum when competing for a header during his side's semi-final win over the Netherlands, playing the entire game despite appearing severely dazed after the incident.
Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira suffered a similar injury against England earlier in the tournament and Headway expressed concern at the fact both players were allowed to continue playing, calling on Fifa to enforce their guidelines on the issue more rigorously.
"On a big stage like the World Cup, it's incredibly hard to understand how there could be two different players throughout the course of a tournament who have been allowed to continue when they have seemingly been knocked out or suffered a concussive injury," a Headway spokesperson told Perform.
"There needs to be some very serious questions asked of Fifa for how they have allowed this situation to happen.
"The Fifa guidelines suggest that if a player suffers a concussion or if there's a risk of concussion a player should be taken from the field and not allowed to return."
The health campaigners drew comparisons with another incident that ocurred in last season's Premier League, where Tottenham Hotspur keeper Hugo Lloris stayed on the pitch despite being concussed in a clash with Romelu Lukaku, urging Fifa not to endanger players' wellbeing.
"That's Fifa's own guidelines and if you look back to the Hugo Lloris situation, you had Fifa executives coming out and saying these sorts of things," their representative continued.
"Yet on the biggest stage - the FIFA World Cup semi-final - you have a player that is clearly in distress seemingly being allowed to overrule the doctors and return to the field."It cannot be that a player is can make that decision - it has to be a medical decision and [doctors] have to be given the power to overrule both players and managers."
World Footballers' Association FIFPro also asked Fifa to take action following the Pereira incident - asking football's governing body to "conduct a thorough investigation into its own competition concussion protocol."
Brain injury charity Headway has criticised Fifa after Argentina's Javier Mascherano was allowed to play on despite sustaining a potentially serious head injury.
The Albiceleste midfielder collided with Georginio Wijnaldum when competing for a header during his side's semi-final win over the Netherlands, playing the entire game despite appearing severely dazed after the incident.
Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira suffered a similar injury against England earlier in the tournament and Headway expressed concern at the fact both players were allowed to continue playing, calling on Fifa to enforce their guidelines on the issue more rigorously.
"On a big stage like the World Cup, it's incredibly hard to understand how there could be two different players throughout the course of a tournament who have been allowed to continue when they have seemingly been knocked out or suffered a concussive injury," a Headway spokesperson told Perform.
"There needs to be some very serious questions asked of Fifa for how they have allowed this situation to happen.
"The Fifa guidelines suggest that if a player suffers a concussion or if there's a risk of concussion a player should be taken from the field and not allowed to return."
The health campaigners drew comparisons with another incident that ocurred in last season's Premier League, where Tottenham Hotspur keeper Hugo Lloris stayed on the pitch despite being concussed in a clash with Romelu Lukaku, urging Fifa not to endanger players' wellbeing.
"That's Fifa's own guidelines and if you look back to the Hugo Lloris situation, you had Fifa executives coming out and saying these sorts of things," their representative continued.
"Yet on the biggest stage - the FIFA World Cup semi-final - you have a player that is clearly in distress seemingly being allowed to overrule the doctors and return to the field."It cannot be that a player is can make that decision - it has to be a medical decision and [doctors] have to be given the power to overrule both players and managers."
World Footballers' Association FIFPro also asked Fifa to take action following the Pereira incident - asking football's governing body to "conduct a thorough investigation into its own competition concussion protocol."
Hierro replaces Zidane as Madrid assistant
Real Madrid have named Fernando Hierro as the replacement for Zinedine Zidane, who spent last season as Carlo Ancelotti's first-team assistant.
The 46-year-old Spaniard takes on the role at the club where he made 416 appearances on the way to winning five Liga trophies and three Champions Leagues.
Madrid issued a statement on Thursday that announced that the Spaniard would become a key part of Ancelotti's management team ahead of next season."The Real Madrid CF announce that Fernando Hierro has joined the sports structure as first team coach, replacing Zinedine Zidane," the club wrote on their official website.
42-year-old Zidane was part of Los Blancos' coaching staff last season, helping guide his side to a tenth Champions League final, their first since he scored the winner in their 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.
The Frenchman was appointed Real Madrid Castilla boss in June, tasked with reinvigorating the reserve side after they were relegated to Segunda Division B, Spanish football's third tier, last term.
Real Madrid have named Fernando Hierro as the replacement for Zinedine Zidane, who spent last season as Carlo Ancelotti's first-team assistant.
The 46-year-old Spaniard takes on the role at the club where he made 416 appearances on the way to winning five Liga trophies and three Champions Leagues.
Madrid issued a statement on Thursday that announced that the Spaniard would become a key part of Ancelotti's management team ahead of next season."The Real Madrid CF announce that Fernando Hierro has joined the sports structure as first team coach, replacing Zinedine Zidane," the club wrote on their official website.
42-year-old Zidane was part of Los Blancos' coaching staff last season, helping guide his side to a tenth Champions League final, their first since he scored the winner in their 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.
The Frenchman was appointed Real Madrid Castilla boss in June, tasked with reinvigorating the reserve side after they were relegated to Segunda Division B, Spanish football's third tier, last term.
Mertesacker: Germany have stars in each position
Per Mertesacker has hailed Germany's strength in depth ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina at the Maracana.
Joachim Low's men qualified for this weekend's showpiece by seeing off Portugal, Ghana and USA in the group stages, before eliminating Algeria and France in the round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively.
Germany then humiliated Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals to further confirm their status as the team to beat on Sunday and Mertesacker feels they are lucky to boast top-class players for every position.
"We have one of the strongest squads I've ever played in," the Arsenal defender told reporters.
"We have two excellent players for every position and everyone believes in each other.
"We have created excellent team-spirit during the tournament and with those magnificent players growing up together it makes it easier."It started off in 2009 when we won the Under-21 European Championship and beat England 4-0. I think there's a small link between these two tournaments"The 2009 tournament was a real turning point. The youth academies started developing well over the last five or six years."
Germany last made it to the World Cup final in 2002 when they were beaten 2-0 by Brazil.
Per Mertesacker has hailed Germany's strength in depth ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina at the Maracana.
Joachim Low's men qualified for this weekend's showpiece by seeing off Portugal, Ghana and USA in the group stages, before eliminating Algeria and France in the round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively.
Germany then humiliated Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals to further confirm their status as the team to beat on Sunday and Mertesacker feels they are lucky to boast top-class players for every position.
"We have one of the strongest squads I've ever played in," the Arsenal defender told reporters.
"We have two excellent players for every position and everyone believes in each other.
"We have created excellent team-spirit during the tournament and with those magnificent players growing up together it makes it easier."It started off in 2009 when we won the Under-21 European Championship and beat England 4-0. I think there's a small link between these two tournaments"The 2009 tournament was a real turning point. The youth academies started developing well over the last five or six years."
Germany last made it to the World Cup final in 2002 when they were beaten 2-0 by Brazil.
Dani Alves: My Barcelona future not in my hands
Dani Alves has suggested that he could leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window, stressing that it is up the club to decide whether he still has a future at Camp Nou.
The 31-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Catalans on more than one occasion, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly closely monitoring his situation.
The right-back has made it clear that he is happy to stay on for another season, but has insisted that Barcelona ultimately decide where his future lies.
"I don't know where I will play next season. I will meet with Barcelona and make a decision," the defender was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.
"If the club want me to stay, I will remain at Barcelona. I have an ongoing contract and I am happy to stay. But it does not depend solely on me.
"I have given my all for Barcelona ever since I got here, even if we have not won much in the last two years, which has left me feeling kind of empty."
Dani Alves has a contract with Barcelona until June 2015.
He joined the Spanish giants from Sevilla in the summer of 2008 and has since made close to 300 official appearances for Barca.
Dani Alves has suggested that he could leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window, stressing that it is up the club to decide whether he still has a future at Camp Nou.
The 31-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Catalans on more than one occasion, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly closely monitoring his situation.
The right-back has made it clear that he is happy to stay on for another season, but has insisted that Barcelona ultimately decide where his future lies.
"I don't know where I will play next season. I will meet with Barcelona and make a decision," the defender was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.
"If the club want me to stay, I will remain at Barcelona. I have an ongoing contract and I am happy to stay. But it does not depend solely on me.
"I have given my all for Barcelona ever since I got here, even if we have not won much in the last two years, which has left me feeling kind of empty."
Dani Alves has a contract with Barcelona until June 2015.
He joined the Spanish giants from Sevilla in the summer of 2008 and has since made close to 300 official appearances for Barca.
Nasri pens five-year Manchester City deal
Samir Nasri has put pen to paper on a new five-year contract with Premier League champions Manchester City, keeping him at the club until 2019.
The Frenchman scored 12 goals and made 11 assists in 2013-14 as Manuel Pellegrini's side returned to the top of English football, although he was left out of Didier Deschamps's World Cup squad as a result of a personal disagreement with the France boss.
Nasri believes that he is now entering the peak of his career and is hopeful of adding to his two league titles as a City player.
"I'm really happy to have signed this contract and to have committed my future with City," he told the club's official website.
"It’s exactly what I wanted when I joined this club and I am very happy that I found an agreement and I hope that we can continue to win titles.
"I'm 27 now and, if you listen to some of the best managers in the game, they say that a midfield player's best years are between 27 and 30 so I hope that I will give my best years to City.
"It took me time to adjust to living in Manchester because, when you move here from London, it is a big change but last year everything was perfect – I enjoyed my football and I love living in Manchester, feel very settled and I think that showed on the pitch.
"That's why I've agreed this new contract – because I feel very much at home. Our supporters have been right behind me and it gives me the confidence to play my best game.
"Now I'm looking forward to the new season and to defending our title again."
Samir Nasri has put pen to paper on a new five-year contract with Premier League champions Manchester City, keeping him at the club until 2019.
The Frenchman scored 12 goals and made 11 assists in 2013-14 as Manuel Pellegrini's side returned to the top of English football, although he was left out of Didier Deschamps's World Cup squad as a result of a personal disagreement with the France boss.
Nasri believes that he is now entering the peak of his career and is hopeful of adding to his two league titles as a City player.
"I'm really happy to have signed this contract and to have committed my future with City," he told the club's official website.
"It’s exactly what I wanted when I joined this club and I am very happy that I found an agreement and I hope that we can continue to win titles.
"I'm 27 now and, if you listen to some of the best managers in the game, they say that a midfield player's best years are between 27 and 30 so I hope that I will give my best years to City.
"It took me time to adjust to living in Manchester because, when you move here from London, it is a big change but last year everything was perfect – I enjoyed my football and I love living in Manchester, feel very settled and I think that showed on the pitch.
"That's why I've agreed this new contract – because I feel very much at home. Our supporters have been right behind me and it gives me the confidence to play my best game.
"Now I'm looking forward to the new season and to defending our title again."
Giggs: Van Gaal will relish Manchester United challenge
Manchester United coach Ryan Giggs is eagerly anticipating the arrival of Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford and does not believe the Dutchman will be daunted by the size of the job.
United endured a turbulent season in 2013-14, with David Moyes leading the club into seventh position in the table. The Scot was subsequently sacked before the end of the season, having missed out on European qualification, with Giggs announced as his temporary replacement, before the appointment of the current Netherlands boss.
Van Gaal has already made moves to strengthen his squad with the arrivals of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera - both of whom are likely to make their Old Trafford bows during the Dutchman's first game in charge, against Valencia on August 12 - and Giggs anticipates a title challenge next term.
'I got a taste in the dugout last season and I'm looking forward to working with Louis," Giggs told the club's official website.
"He won't be afraid of taking over at Manchester United. He'll relish it. He has a clear philosophy and he sticks to that. He's been at huge clubs, but in my view this is the biggest.
"It's tough to win the league but that's why we'll try to do."
Van Gaal led Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals, where they were defeated by Argentina on penalties, and will manage the national team for the final team in their third-place playoff against Brazil on Saturday.
Manchester United coach Ryan Giggs is eagerly anticipating the arrival of Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford and does not believe the Dutchman will be daunted by the size of the job.
United endured a turbulent season in 2013-14, with David Moyes leading the club into seventh position in the table. The Scot was subsequently sacked before the end of the season, having missed out on European qualification, with Giggs announced as his temporary replacement, before the appointment of the current Netherlands boss.
Van Gaal has already made moves to strengthen his squad with the arrivals of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera - both of whom are likely to make their Old Trafford bows during the Dutchman's first game in charge, against Valencia on August 12 - and Giggs anticipates a title challenge next term.
'I got a taste in the dugout last season and I'm looking forward to working with Louis," Giggs told the club's official website.
"He won't be afraid of taking over at Manchester United. He'll relish it. He has a clear philosophy and he sticks to that. He's been at huge clubs, but in my view this is the biggest.
"It's tough to win the league but that's why we'll try to do."
Van Gaal led Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals, where they were defeated by Argentina on penalties, and will manage the national team for the final team in their third-place playoff against Brazil on Saturday.
Maradona: Germany not mission impossible for Argentina
Diego Maradona is confident that Argentina have what it take to beat Germany in Sunday's World Cup final at the Maracana.
Joachim Low's men hugely impressed in the semi-finals with a 7-1 win over hosts Brazil, while Argentina needed penalties to see off Netherlands in their final-four encounter.
Nevertheless, Maradona believes the semi-final results could prove to be beneficial for Alejandro Sabella's side as he thinks Germany could get complacent.
"The match against Germany will not be a mission impossible. It is not impossible to beat them," Maradona said during his show on Telesur.
"The German egos will be enlarged by their 7-1 win over Brazil. Their overconfidence could be a good thing for Argentina."
The Argentina icon then went on to praise Javier Mascherano following his sublime performance against Holland on Wednesday - a showing he believes was vital given that Lionel Messi seemed "a bit tired".
"Argentina against Netherlands were Mascherano and 10 more players. He was like a pitbull out there on the pitch," Maradona added.
"Messi was not at the level we have come to expect from him against Holland. I think that he felt a bit tired."
Diego Maradona is confident that Argentina have what it take to beat Germany in Sunday's World Cup final at the Maracana.
Joachim Low's men hugely impressed in the semi-finals with a 7-1 win over hosts Brazil, while Argentina needed penalties to see off Netherlands in their final-four encounter.
Nevertheless, Maradona believes the semi-final results could prove to be beneficial for Alejandro Sabella's side as he thinks Germany could get complacent.
"The match against Germany will not be a mission impossible. It is not impossible to beat them," Maradona said during his show on Telesur.
"The German egos will be enlarged by their 7-1 win over Brazil. Their overconfidence could be a good thing for Argentina."
The Argentina icon then went on to praise Javier Mascherano following his sublime performance against Holland on Wednesday - a showing he believes was vital given that Lionel Messi seemed "a bit tired".
"Argentina against Netherlands were Mascherano and 10 more players. He was like a pitbull out there on the pitch," Maradona added.
"Messi was not at the level we have come to expect from him against Holland. I think that he felt a bit tired."
Juventus tie up €27m Iturbe deal
Juventus have reached an agreement to sign Juan Iturbe from Verona for a fee of €27 million.
The Serie A champions have been in talks with both club and player since the start of July and have now struck a deal after offering €25m plus a further €2m in add-ons.
Iturbe met Verona sporting director Sean Sogliano and Juve's equivalent Fabio Paratici on Wednesday morning and expressed his desire to push through a move as swiftly as possible.
Juve are hopeful of unveiling the forward - who scored eight goals in 21 games in Serie A last term - ahead of pre-season and have also moved closer to finalising deals for two other high-profile players.
Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra is set to join the club for €3.5m on a two-year deal in the coming days, despite signing a new deal at Old Trafford earlier this summer.
The defender triggered a clause in his contract after making more than 25 appearances in 2013-14, which meant the club were obliged to offer the player an extension - something to which the 33-year-old agreed despite United's €38m capture of Southampton defender Luke Shaw.
However, the France international has now reluctantly opted to end his spell in England, with the promise of first-team football and the chance to play in the Champions League - as well as family reasons - bringing to an end his seven-year stay at Old Trafford.
Juventus will also seal the signing of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who will move to Turin in a €22m switch, which includes a straight €18m and a further €4m in add-ons.
Madrid have inserted a buy-back clause in the player's contract of €33m, which will remain in place for the first two years of his deal.
Morata is reported to have agreed a four-year deal at Juventus Stadium with the option of a further year after opting not to extend his existing deal - which ran until June 2015 - with the La Liga club.
Juventus have reached an agreement to sign Juan Iturbe from Verona for a fee of €27 million.
The Serie A champions have been in talks with both club and player since the start of July and have now struck a deal after offering €25m plus a further €2m in add-ons.
Iturbe met Verona sporting director Sean Sogliano and Juve's equivalent Fabio Paratici on Wednesday morning and expressed his desire to push through a move as swiftly as possible.
Juve are hopeful of unveiling the forward - who scored eight goals in 21 games in Serie A last term - ahead of pre-season and have also moved closer to finalising deals for two other high-profile players.
Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra is set to join the club for €3.5m on a two-year deal in the coming days, despite signing a new deal at Old Trafford earlier this summer.
The defender triggered a clause in his contract after making more than 25 appearances in 2013-14, which meant the club were obliged to offer the player an extension - something to which the 33-year-old agreed despite United's €38m capture of Southampton defender Luke Shaw.
However, the France international has now reluctantly opted to end his spell in England, with the promise of first-team football and the chance to play in the Champions League - as well as family reasons - bringing to an end his seven-year stay at Old Trafford.
Juventus will also seal the signing of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who will move to Turin in a €22m switch, which includes a straight €18m and a further €4m in add-ons.
Madrid have inserted a buy-back clause in the player's contract of €33m, which will remain in place for the first two years of his deal.
Morata is reported to have agreed a four-year deal at Juventus Stadium with the option of a further year after opting not to extend his existing deal - which ran until June 2015 - with the La Liga club.
Evra to join Juventus after declining Manchester United stay
Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra is set to complete a €3.5 million move to Juventus after agreeing a two-year deal with the club, Goal understands.
The France international signed a new one-year extension with United in May with the understanding he would compete for the position with €38 million-arrival Luke Shaw.
Juve's renewed interest, however, which emerged earlier this week, convinced him to reluctantly leave Old Trafford.
The Italian giants will match his €125,000-a-week-plus wages as a combination of Champions League football, as well as family reasons, have seen him decline the opportunity to remain in Manchester under new boss Louis van Gaal.
Dutchman Van Gaal, who is set to begin his duties as the Premier League club's new manager in the coming days, was reluctant to lose a player of Evra's experience from his defence and even matched Juve's two-year contract offer.
But Evra, who joined United back in January 2006 from Ligue 1 club Monaco, is keen to embark on a new adventure in Serie A, where he will follow former United skipper Nemanja Vidic, who has signed for Inter on a free transfer.
Juventus have also been tracking Manchester City centre-back Matija Nastasic although were rebuffed by the Premier League champions after making an enquiry in recent days.
However, Juventus have acquired Juan Iturbe for a fee of €27m and are also set to announce the signing of Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.
Fifa rejects Suarez appeal
Fifa's Appeal Committee has rejected pleas from Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA over the striker's punishment for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and has upheld its sanctions.
Suarez was handed a record four-month ban from any kind of football-related activity by world football's governing body back in June after being found guilty of biting an opponent for the third time in his chequered career.
The Liverpool striker was also handed a nine-match international suspension and an €82,000 fine.
"The Fifa Appeal Committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by both the Uruguayan player Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA and to confirm the decision rendered by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee on 25 June 2014 in its entirety," an official statement reads.
"The terms of the decision taken by the Fifa Appeal Committee were communicated to the player and the Uruguayan FA on Thursday.
"The relevant decision is not yet final and binding, i.e. an appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) is still possible (cf. art. 67 par. 1 of the Fifa Statutes) by the player and/or the Uruguayan FA, subject to certain conditions."
The punishment does not prevent Suarez from moving clubs this summer and he is on the brink of completing his sensational transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona after the terms of a deal worth just over €88 million were agreed on Wednesday.
Barcelona have captured Suarez in a straight cash deal after agreeing to meet the release clause in the Liverpool contract he signed last December.
It is believed that Suarez will undergo initial medical examinations from Barca doctors in his native Uruguay, where he has been staying following his country's elimination from the World Cup.
The 27-year-old will not be allowed to play for Barcelona until October 26, when his four-month worldwide ban expires.
Fifa's Appeal Committee has rejected pleas from Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA over the striker's punishment for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and has upheld its sanctions.
Suarez was handed a record four-month ban from any kind of football-related activity by world football's governing body back in June after being found guilty of biting an opponent for the third time in his chequered career.
The Liverpool striker was also handed a nine-match international suspension and an €82,000 fine.
"The Fifa Appeal Committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by both the Uruguayan player Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA and to confirm the decision rendered by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee on 25 June 2014 in its entirety," an official statement reads.
"The terms of the decision taken by the Fifa Appeal Committee were communicated to the player and the Uruguayan FA on Thursday.
"The relevant decision is not yet final and binding, i.e. an appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) is still possible (cf. art. 67 par. 1 of the Fifa Statutes) by the player and/or the Uruguayan FA, subject to certain conditions."
The punishment does not prevent Suarez from moving clubs this summer and he is on the brink of completing his sensational transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona after the terms of a deal worth just over €88 million were agreed on Wednesday.
Barcelona have captured Suarez in a straight cash deal after agreeing to meet the release clause in the Liverpool contract he signed last December.
It is believed that Suarez will undergo initial medical examinations from Barca doctors in his native Uruguay, where he has been staying following his country's elimination from the World Cup.
The 27-year-old will not be allowed to play for Barcelona until October 26, when his four-month worldwide ban expires.
Atletico Madrid sign Mario Mandzukic
Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich for a fee believed to be in the region of €22 million.
The Spanish champions have long been linked with a move for the Croatia international, who grew disenchanted under Pep Guardiola and was deemed surplus to requirements following the free transfer of Robert Lewandowski, as they sought a replacement for Chelsea-bound Diego Costa.
Bayern already announced earlier this week that they had agreed verbal terms with Atletico and Mandzukic has now signed a four-year deal with his new club after passing his medical.
"I am very happy to be here. I am well aware of Atletico and I know they have good players and a good coach," Mandzukic commented on his move.
"I know a lot about Atletico, I have seen several games and I like the style of play.
"The coach is very good, they have good players, and I think I can do great things with this team."Atletico director Jose Luis Caminero believes Mandzukic is just what the Liga champions need in their hunt for more silverware.
"The signing of Mandzukic is great news because he has all the characteristics we were looking for," Caminero said."He is a strong striker with a powerful shot, who is a real aerial threat, too. He is a true winner and a player who is used to winning titles. He will add a lot to Atletico."
The 28-year-old won two Bundesliga titles, the Champions League and two DFB-Pokals with Bayern since joining the Bavarians from Wolfsburg in 2012.
He scored 25 goals in all competitions last season.
Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich for a fee believed to be in the region of €22 million.
The Spanish champions have long been linked with a move for the Croatia international, who grew disenchanted under Pep Guardiola and was deemed surplus to requirements following the free transfer of Robert Lewandowski, as they sought a replacement for Chelsea-bound Diego Costa.
Bayern already announced earlier this week that they had agreed verbal terms with Atletico and Mandzukic has now signed a four-year deal with his new club after passing his medical.
"I am very happy to be here. I am well aware of Atletico and I know they have good players and a good coach," Mandzukic commented on his move.
"I know a lot about Atletico, I have seen several games and I like the style of play.
"The coach is very good, they have good players, and I think I can do great things with this team."Atletico director Jose Luis Caminero believes Mandzukic is just what the Liga champions need in their hunt for more silverware.
"The signing of Mandzukic is great news because he has all the characteristics we were looking for," Caminero said."He is a strong striker with a powerful shot, who is a real aerial threat, too. He is a true winner and a player who is used to winning titles. He will add a lot to Atletico."
The 28-year-old won two Bundesliga titles, the Champions League and two DFB-Pokals with Bayern since joining the Bavarians from Wolfsburg in 2012.
He scored 25 goals in all competitions last season.
Congratulations Mandzukic!
Diego Costa ge replacement 1ka
Negredo th godak durata Atletico Madrid join wei
Diego Costa ge replacement 1ka
Negredo th godak durata Atletico Madrid join wei
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona in what Goal understands is a €40 million [£32m] deal.
The Chile international forward, who underwent a medical on Thursday afternoon, becomes the second-most expensive purchase in the Gunners' history.
After scoring two goals at the World Cup in Brazil and impressing in his three seasons at Camp Nou, where he scored 39 times in 88 appearances, the Gunners have beaten off competition from Liverpool and Juventus to land the forward.
The former Udinese star will join up with his new team-mates at the end of July after spending time on holiday following the World Cup and is expected to make his first appearance for the North London club during the Emirates Cup in early August.
"I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal, a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players, huge support around the world and a great stadium in London," Alexis told the club's official website.
"I'm looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to be playing for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League. I will give my best to Arsenal and want to make all the supporters happy."
Manager Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, is hopeful that his new signing can replicate his fine performances for his national team in Brazil when he begins his Premier League career.
"As many people have seen during the World Cup this summer, Alexis is a fantastic footballer and we are delighted that he is joining us at Arsenal," the veteran boss enthused.
"Alexis will add power, creativity and much quality to our squad and we are all looking forward to him joining up with us in a few weeks. He has consistently produced top-quality performances at the highest level for a number of seasons now and we are all excited to see him integrate into the Arsenal squad."
Congratulations Sanchez!
Pattama sign 1kak Arsenal lataHoda fight 1kak denna puluwan dan next season 1keSanchez & Giroud!
Pattama sign 1kak Arsenal lata
Hoda fight 1kak denna puluwan dan next season 1keSanchez & Giroud!
Fellaini shaves off his afro!
Marouane Fellaini has stunned Manchester United fans by shaving off his famous afro.
The Belgium midfielder, fresh from representing his country at the World Cup, underwent the shock transformation on Thursday and a picture of the result quickly did the rounds on Twitter, causing many United fans to swiftly throw away the novelty Fellaini wigs that were seen at Old Trafford in 2013-14.
How he will style his new cut is yet to be revealed, although cornrows appear to be his current preference.
It is also unknown if Fellaini was acting under orders from new boss Louis van Gaal, who may hope that the buzzcut helps the midfielder recapture the form that persuaded David Moyes to part with £27.5 million (€34.6m) to sign him from Everton.
After enduring a torrid season last term – which has led to reports that he could leave the club this summer – Fellaini will be hoping that the cut lifts a weight off his shoulders in more ways than one.
Colombia offer Zuniga protection after death threats
Colombia's football federation have pledged to protect Juan Zuniga after he was subjected to a fierce backlash from Brazil fans for injuring Neymar.
The Napoli full-back fractured one of the Selecao star's vertebra during his side's 2-1 loss to the tournament hosts during their quarter-final on July 4 in Fortaleza.
Zuniga avoided further punishment, but his knee into Neymar's back has been heavily criticised and was labelled a "coward's tackle" by Brazil captain Thiago Silva.
Zuniga said it was a "normal" challenge and the Federacion Colombiana de Futbol (FCF) has now defended the 28-year-old."FCF rejects all threats and insults against the player Juan Camilo Zuniga and his family," the national body said in a statement on Wednesday.
"It [FCF] will continue taking all actions with the appropriate security and government organisations to give the necessary guarantees to the player, for both his time in Colombia and his permanent residency in Italy."Napoli have also come out in support of Zuniga, who faced no sanction from Fifa as the referee had already ruled on the incident.
Brazil will face the Netherlands in the third-place play-off after the hosts were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
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