Grasshoppers biding their time

First task
Currently employed on FIFA's football development programmes, Brigger will begin work in January, after signing a contract until 2007. His first task will be to find a replacement for caretaker coach Carlos Bernegger. Meanwhile, Grasshoppers' city rivals FC Zürich have issued a vote of confidence in coach Lucien Favre. Zürich are bottom of the ten-team Swiss league at the winter break, only three places worse off than Grasshoppers, the defending champions.

Glieder out
FC Schalke 04 and Austria striker Edi Glieder will be sidelined for the rest of the year with a calf injury. The 34-year-old pulled a ligament in his right calf during Schalke's German Bundesliga victory against Hertha BSC Berlin a fortnight ago, and has since pulled up in training with the problem. A summer signing from SV Pasching in Austria, he will return to action after the winter break.

Balaban in Italy
Italian strugglers Empoli FC have reached an agreement to sign the Croatian international striker Bosko Balaban, who is a free agent after being released by English side Aston Villa FC. Empoli's general director, Pino Vitale, said: "He will be unveiled to the press next Tuesday." The 25-year-old made eight substitute appearances for Villa in 2001/02 before being loaned back to former club NK Dinamo Zagreb last season.

'Great potential'
Sweden's Helsingborgs IF have completed the signing of defender Jakob Augustsson from Norwegian club SFK Lyn. The 23-year-old was previously with FC Twente and Landskrona BoIS. Helsingborg coach Peter Swärd said: "He is still young and has great potential."

New deal
FC Groningen coach Ron Jans has signed a two-year extension to his contract, tying him to the Dutch club until 2006. Jans, who replaced Dwight Lodeweges in the post in November 2002, has led the team to eleventh place in the Eredivisie this term.

Muratovic moving
Meanwhile, Austrian side Grazer AK have signed Bosnian midfield player Samir Muratovic from Russian club FC Saturn Ramenskoye. The 27-year-old will join GAK during the January transfer window, having agreed a deal until 2007.