Figo gets down to work

Figo gets down to work
Agencies

MADRID, JULY 31: Luis Figo trained with his new Real Madrid teammates for the first time on Monday as the club's Portuguese international got back to work.

Figo, who joined Real in a world record $56.1 million transfer from Barcelona last week, was greeted by polite applause from a few hundred watching fans at the club's training ground in the north of Madrid.

Like the rest of the returning internationals, who were given a week's extra holiday after their efforts in The Netherlands and Belgium over the summer, Figo did little more than a few laps around the ground.

Figo was joined by the likes of Spanish internationals Raul, Fernando Hierro, Michel Salgado and Pedro Munitis, the last named a new signing from Racing Santander.

Figo arrived back in Madrid from Portugal late on Sunday and was met by the expected media scrum at the city's Barajas airport.

Petit sees golden opportunity at Barca

BARCELONA:French international mid-fielder Emmanuel Petit was the picture of enthusiasm on Sunday night after new club Barcelona presented the player at the Nou Camp following his transfer from Arsenal.

"This is a golden opportunity for me. If all goes to plan, playing for Barca can be the highpoint of my career," said Petit, who won the World Cup and the English Premiership and FA Cup double two seasons ago before adding the European Championship last month.

Petit, who made his name at Monaco before Arsene Wenger took him to Highbury, said he believed his chances of Champions League glory would be greater at Barca than had he remained in England.

"I believe there is a greater possibility of winning the Champions League with Barca than with any other club," said the ponytailed 30-year-old.

"We did not succeed with Arsenal. It's not that we did not have the talent, just that we didn't succeed.

"I am having a successful spell just now in my career and I can taste success with Barca," he added.

Ginola joins Aston Villa

BIRMINGHAM: David Ginola signed here on Sunday for Aston Villa in a $4.5 million transfer from Premiership rivals Tottenham. The French star broke the news on his official website, www.ginola14.com, after several hours of negotiations with Villa boss John Gregory and chairman Doug Ellis in a Birmingham hotel this afternoon. Ginola has signed a two-year contract with the Villa Park club.

McManaman plays down transfer talk

MADRID:Real Madrid mid-fielder Steve McManaman played down talk of a swift return to the Premier League on Monday, saying: "I've got no intention of moving back to England."

McManaman's future at the Spanish club has been thrown into doubt by the arrival of Luis Figo, who is almost certain to be given the England man's spot on the right side of mid-field.

Newspapers in England and Spain have linked McManaman with a move to either Middlesbrough or Arsenal but for the moment at least the former Liverpool man is staying put.

"All the transfer talk is just rubbish as far as I'm concerned," said McManaman, who returned to training with Real on Monday after the summer break.

Toulouse aim to trim squad

TOULOUSE: Promoted Toulouse, big spenders in the close season, have begun to balance their books by making several players available for transfer.

Forward Vladimir Petrovic, who is being sought by clubs in Italy, Germany and Austria, could join Scotsman Derek MacInnes, who has signed for West Bromwich Albion, in departing the French first division side.

Croatian Petrovic scored 11 goals in 26 second division appearances last season.

Toulouse sporting director Didier Couecou told Monday's edition of Sports daily L'Equipe that Cameroon-born striker Samuel Ipoua is set to begin a trial with English premier league side Everton this week, while a loan deal is being negotiated that could see mid-fielder Mehdi Nafti join En Avant Guingamp.