Premier League roundup

Brazilian star Juninho continues negotations with Boro

MIDDLESBROUGH, England (AP) -- Middlesbrough edged closer to re-signing Brazilian World Cup star Juninho on Wednesday when the player's father and agent said he was ready to pursue negotiations.

The club has already agreed an undisclosed transfer fee with Juninho's Spanish club, Atletico Madrid, and now it's up to the player to decide on the move.

Juninho, who was a late substitute on the Brazilian lineup that downed Germany 2-0 in the final for a fifth World Cup triumph 10 days ago, has had two previous spells with Middlesbrough.

He joined the club in November 1995 but left for Atletico after it was relegated. After recovering from a leg fracture he returned in 1999 on loan.

Juninho's father, Osvaldo Giroldo, told Spanish newspapers on Wednesday that he remained in talks with the Premier League club.

"We have begun negotiations with Middlesbrough, but we want to carry them further," he said. "As soon as they call me and we can establish some guidelines, I will travel to continue the negotiations."

Arsenal's Ljungberg back in Sweden after surgery

HALMSTAD, Sweden (AP) -- Swedish World Cup star Fredrik Ljungberg returned to his home town on crutches Wednesday for a month-long vacation after hip surgery in England.

The 25-year-old Arsenal midfielder, whose hurting hip forced him to miss two of Sweden's four World Cup games in Japan, hopes to be back with the Gunners in two months.

"It's sad that I'll miss Arsenal's [Premier] league opener, and maybe also a pair of European qualifiers for Sweden," Ljungberg said. "But I'm aiming first of all to get healthy and then I'll be ready to go."

"Fast Freddie," who was the Player of the Year in England last season after leading Arsenal to the FA Cup and league double, will gradually return to light training before reporting for duty at Highbury in London.

"It will only be some exercises in water first, and forward running only so I don't put too much strain on the hip," he said.

While he's home in Halmstad, Ljungberg hopes to catch some Swedish Open tennis matches at nearby Bastad.

Ljungberg injured his hip during Sweden's training camp in Miyazaki, southern Japan, before the World Cup began. He played the opener against England (1-1) and set up the first of two goals by Henrik Larsson in a 2-1 win over Nigeria, but missed the 1-1 draw against Argentina that clinched first place for Sweden in the group.

Ljungberg also missed the second-round knockout game against Senegal, won by the Africans on a golden goal after Swedish midfielder Anders Svensson hit the post minutes earlier during overtime.

Earlier in May, Ljungberg was sidelined for more than two weeks because of a bad back. He has said that the injuries could be a result of the grueling English season.

He had a dream spring with the London side, scoring seven goals in his last eight games for Arsenal, but has been more of a provider than a big goalscorer for Sweden with only two goals in 34 games.

Sunderland signs Norwegian goalkeeper Myhre

The 28-year-old former Everton 'keeper signed a three-year deal and has been brought in as competition for regular No. 1 Thomas Sorensen. Last season's deputy Juergen Macho has been released.

Myhre, who had been with Besiktas since Nov. 2001, made 82 appearances for Everton and was also loaned out to Birmingham City and Tranmere.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to be joining Sunderland. They are a club I have experience of playing against during my days at Everton and they have huge support," Myhre said.

"I know a lot of the Sunderland players like Claudio Reyna, Gavin McCann and Thomas Sorensen.

"I have all kinds of respect for Tommy, he is a great goalkeeper and I'm sure we'll be able to push each other to higher levels. I'm looking forward to working with him."

Myhre is Sunderland's third signing of the summer, following the arrival of Phil Babb from Sporting Lisbon and Sean Thornton from Tranmere

 

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