LIVERPOOL SIGN SHAQIRI FROM STOKE CITY

LONDON: Liverpool have signed Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City, the English Premier League giants announced Friday. The Reds said he had signed “a long-term contract”, with British media reports saying Shaqiri had arrived at Anfield in a five-year deal for £13 million (approx ~118 crore). The 26-year-old winger’s move follows Stoke’s relegation from the Premier League.

Statues of Peru coach and top scorer unveiled in Lima

LIMA: Despite a disappointing World Cup run by Peru, a district in the capital Lima has unveiled statues of the national team coach Ricardo Gareca and top scorer Paolo Guerrero. The team crashed out in the group stage, but the district of San Miguel nonetheless decided to pay tribute to the side -- a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from residents.the golden fiberglass figures, revealed on Friday, show Argentine Gareca and striker Guerrero accompanied by a placard reading “Men of the World Cup Monument,” a reference to the entire team.

Refereeing the final a dream, says Pitana

MOSCOW: Nestor Pitana has described being chosen as the referee for Sunday’s World Cup final between France and Croatia as a “dream”. “Very rarely have I experienced anything comparable in my life,” he told FIFA.COM. “That feeling, that excitement. Maybe I could compare it with the moment when I was told that I was going to be a father. In terms of the sacrifice, the responsibility that it involves. For any kid who loves football, the dream is to get to the World Cup final,” Pitana said.