Belgian keeper blow for City

Manchester City FC

Spanish Primera División newcomers Getafe CF have secured the services of Real Madrid CF B team striker Iván Sánchez Rico and CD Leganés defender Martín Vitali. 'Riki' has penned a three-year deal after the clubs agreed a reported €300,000 fee for the 24-year-old. Meanwhile, 28-year-old Argentinian right-back Vitali arrives on a two-year contract.

Norwegian Tippeligaen side Ham-Kam Fotball have signed Nigerian striker Oluwasegun Abiodun as they mount a challenge for the league title. The talented 19-year-old has joined for the remainder of the 2004 season but must wait two to three weeks for a work permit. Ham-Kam are fourth in the table, four points behind leaders Rosenborg BK.

Slovenia Under-21 midfield player Luka Zinko has moved to newly promoted French team FC Istres on a season's loan. The 21-year-old had been on trial at the Ligue 1 club for several weeks from NK Olimpija Ljubljana.

Hannover 96 have loaned out-of-favour striker Stanko Svitlica to second division side LR Ahlen for the coming campaign. The 28-year-old Serbo-Montenegrin had failed to impress in the Bundesliga, making just three appearances since arriving from Legia Warszawa last January for an estimated €200,000.

Elsewhere in Germany, Werner Hackmann has been re-elected as chairman of the German Football League by a unanimous vote. Bayer 04 Leverkusen's managing director Wolfgang Holzhäuser was elected vice-chairman.

Despite interest from English first division rivals Sunderland AFC, Leicester City FC have clinched the signature of Wales forward Nathan Blake. The 32-year-old was released by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at the end of last season and has agreed a one-year deal with Leicester.

The Grazer derby between Grazer AK and SK Sturm Graz has been brought forward 24 hours to Friday 6 August, to give GAK an extra day to prepare for their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against Liverpool FC the following Tuesday. Friday's derby match will kick off at 20.30CET.