Reports in the Russian press suggest that Brazilian legend Zico will quit his post as coach of Uzbek side FC Bunyodkor to join CSKA Moscow within the next couple of days. Sport Express suggests that the 55 year old has already communicated his desire to leave and that the "last formalities should be completed within the next 24 hours".

Fresh from securing the Argentine Apertura, Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has his sights set on continent-wide success in next year's Copa Libertadores. Riquelme, 30, already has three Libertadores triumphs with Boca to his name, but that has not quelled his desire to add to his medal collection with a fourth in 2009.

Flamengo's highly-rated left-back Juan could be set for a January move to Europe according to reports in the Brazilian press, although his agent has indicated that there is yet to be any movement in relation to a transfer. Juan, 26, was recently chosen as the best left-back of the Brazilian Serie A 2008 after some superb performances for Flamengo throughout the campaign, and received an

San Lorenzo are locked in talks over an extension to their loan deal for striker Gonzalo Bergessio, as they look to build a team capable of challenging for the 2009 Copa Libertadores. Bergessio, 24, has scored 13 goals in 35 games since joining on a temporary basis from Portuguese side Benfica, and San Lorenzo coach Miguel Angel Russo is keen to keep hold of him, especially with fellow strikers

New Corinthians signing Ronaldo has stated that media talk about his ample frame is misguided, and affirmed that he will be in a match-fit state by the conclusion of the club's pre-season preparations. Ronaldo has born the brunt of many press jibes about his figure since being presented as a Corinthians player on the 12th December, with reports suggesting that he weighed in at 95kg.

Boca Juniors soon to be technical-director, Carlos Bianchi, has identified the position of goalkeeper as the one they really need to strengthen for next year's Copa Libertadores and believes that Getafe custodian Roberto Abbondanzieri could be the man for the role. Carlos Ischia's side may have secured the Argentine Apertura title, but with young goalkeeper Javier Garcia prone to errors and

Ho, ho, ho... no, that's not the shout of some Harlem pimp, but is in fact St Nicholas, coming to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas. Hope Santa brings you all everything you wanted, and we look forward to seeing you back on the site once the holiday frivolities have ceased... i.e. once that Bucks Fizz hangover has worn off enough for you to focus on a computer screen for more than a couple

Boca Juniors were crowned Argentine Apertura 2008 champions on Tuesday night, despite going down to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tigre. As the three-team playoff for the Apertura came to its conclusion, Tigre knew that they needed to win by two clear goals to overhaul a Riquelme-less Boca and take the title, with San Lorenzo already out of running.

Colo Colo sealed the Chilean Clausura championship on Saturday with a 3-1 win at home to Deportivo Palestino in the second leg of the playoff final. Palestino had done well to come back from a goal behind to draw 1-1 in their home leg of the tie, and showed great heart once more as they came back from Lucas Barrios' half-hour strike to level matters before the break through Luis Pavez.

Boca Juniors ended San Lorenzo's hopes of winning the 2008 Apertura with a 3-1 victory on Saturday that leaves Carlos Ischia's side in pole position for the title ahead of the final playoff game between them and Tigre on Tuesday. San Lorenzo went into the match knowing that a win would secure them the championship, and had two golden opportunities to take the lead in the first 45 minutes -

Ecuadorian side Barcelona Sporting Club have announced that former Real Madrid coach Benito Floro will take charge of the side in time for the 2009 Serie A Championship. The Spaniard, who has signed a two year contract, becomes the latest coach charged with returning Barcelona to their previous glories after years of relative obscurity.

Internacional are lining up a possible move for Hamburg attacking midfielder Thiago Neves according to a report on Brazilian radio. Rádio Gaúcha suggests that the Internacional board are in the process of gathering the necessary funds to make a move for Neves, 23, who is thought to be keen on a move back to Brazil after struggling to settle in Germany.

Argentina youth coach Sergio Batista has named his twenty man squad for the 2009 South American U-20 Championship, which kicks off on the 19th January in Venezuela. Batista's side go into the tournament as one of the favourites, having been victorious in the same age category in five of the last seven World Cups, and will rely on a squad of primarily home based players for the competition.

FIFA have elected to lift the sanctions imposed on the Peruvian Football Association that had seen the national team and club sides from the country suspended from international competition, it was announced on Saturday. A statement released by world football's governing body simply stated that: "The Executive Committee has agreed to lift the suspension of the Peruvian Football Association.

Bolivian striker Marcelo Moreno has indicated that he would be happy to return to former club Cruzeiro at the turn of the year, but believes that his current employers Shakhtar Donetsk would be unlikely to sanction such a move. Shakhtar paid a reported €9million for Moreno in May of this year, but the 21 year old has thus far struggled to make the expected impact in the Ukraine, and seems to be

LDU Quito attacking midfielder Luis Bolanos is confident that the Copa Libertadores winners have a chance of toppling European champions Manchester United ahead of Sunday's FIFA World Club Cup final. Bolanos, 23, was one of the stars of LDU's successful Libertadores campaign and has continued that form into the World Club Cup, scoring a superb freekick in his side's semi-final victory over

San Lorenzo drew first blood in the triangular tournament that will decide the winners of the Argentine Apertura 2008 with a 2-1 victory away to Tigre on Wednesday evening. Miguel Angel Russo's side began the game in the fine form, building a two goal lead for themselves inside the opening twenty-five minutes through strikes from Pablo Barrientos and Gonzalo Bergessio.

Departing LDU Quito head coach Edgardo Bauza believes that his side can win the 2008 FIFA World Club Cup, although he admits that it will be difficult task due to the quality of their opposition. LDU will face Mexican side Pachuca in the semi-final of the competition on Wednesday, with the prize of a likely tie against European champions Manchester United in the final at stake for both teams.

Gremio midfielder Rafael Carioca completed his €8million move to Spartak Moscow on Tuesday, signing a five-year contract with the Russian side after undergoing a medical examination at the club's training facilities. Carioca, 19, will join his fellow Brazilians Mozart and Welliton at the Luzhniki Stadium and could soon have another familar name in his midst, with young Gremio defender Leo

Brazilian defender Thiago Silva told reporters that he hopes to become an important figure at AC Milan as he arrived in Italy on Monday to complete a medical and sign a four-year contract with the Rossoneri. Milan have agreed a €10 million fee with Fluminense for the services of Silva, 24, who will join up with his new team-mates in January, but won't be able to take part in first team