Helsingborg take on new midfielders

Swedish UEFA Cup contenders Helsingborgs IF have signed midfielders René Makondele and Martin Kolář as they target a first-round place on Thursday.

New midfielders
DR Congo-born Makondele, 25, has been lured from Allsvenskan rivals Gefle IF, where he has impressed over three seasons since arriving from Djurgårdens IF FF. He has agreed a three-year contract with Helsingborg, as has the 23-year-old Kolář, who comes in from RSC Anderlecht, the club he joined from CU Bohemians Praha in summer 2002. Helsingborg's UEFA Cup tie with Drogheda United FC resumes on Thursday with the scores level at 1-1 following the first leg in Dublin.

Höiland move
Elsewhere in Sweden, Jon-Inge Höiland has left Malmö FF for Norwegian side Stabæk IF while UEFA Champions League hopefuls IF Elfsborg have omitted midfielder Samuel Holmén from their squad to face Valencia CF tonight with the player said to have agreed a transfer to Danish outfit Brøndby IF. Meanwhile, AIK Solna have landed Argentinian midfielder Pablo Monsalvo from Club Olimpo. He links up with compatriots Iván Obolo and Lucas Valdemarín at AIK.