'Golden bench' for Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has been rewarded by the Italian Football Federation for leading AC Milan to UEFA Champions League glory in 2003, winning the 'Golden Bench' award.

Coppa Italia
The 44-year-old former Milan and Italy midfield player also guided the Rossoneri to Coppa Italia success and the second stage of this season's Champions League. Elio Gustinetti, meanwhile, received recognition for his feats in leading UC Albinoleffe from Serie C1 to Serie B, winning the 'Silver Bench' vote.

Siena sign Junior
AC Siena have signed Brazilian left-back Junior on loan from stricken AC Parma until the of the season. The 30-year-old, who is in his fourth season with Parma, has made 13 appearances for the Gialloblù this term.

Steaua return?
Romanian international Dorinel Munteanu has left VfL Wolfsburg by mutual consent. Capped 115 times, the 34-year-old midfield player joined the club in 1999 and scored eleven goals in 101 matches. He is expected to join FC Steaua Bucuresti.

Pole axed
Another Bundesliga side, 1. FC Köln, have released Tomasz Klos. The 30-year-old Polish central defender, who joined in the summer as a free agent from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, is tipped to sign for Wisla Kraków in his homeland.

Roda take Van Hoogdalem
Defender Marco van Hoogdalem has gone loan to Dutch side Roda JC from Bundesliga team FC Schalke 04 for the rest of the season. The 31-year-old is rejoining a club he played 128 matches for between 1993 and 1997. He recently recovered from a hip injury, but has not regained his place in the Schalke team.

New deal

Aragonese returns to Atlético
Goalkeeper Sergio Aragoneses has returned to Club Atlético de Madrid following his loan spell with Getafe CF. Atlético have now loaned Sergio Sánchez to Getafe in his place. Aragoneses faces competition for a first-team place from Germán Burgos and Juanma Barrero.

Cifuentes loan
RCD Mallorca goalkeeper Alberto Cifuentes will spend the remainder of the season on loan with Segunda División club CF Ciudad de Murcia. With Leo Franco and Miki Garro blocking his path to the first team, the move will ensure the 24-year-old regular football.

Sigbjörnsson joins Fram
KA Akureyri captain Thorvaldur Makan Sigbjörnsson has left the club for Icelandic rivals Fram Reykjavík. The 29-year-old, capped once by Iceland, has signed a three-year contract at Fram following five seasons with his previous club.