Roundup-Villarreal sign French midfielder Mavuba

Updated: July 4, 2007, 10:03 AM ET
Reuters

LONDON, July 4 - Soccer news in brief from around the world:

* Villarreal have signed French midfielder Rio Mavuba on a five-year deal from Girondins Bordeaux, the Primera Liga club said on its Web site (www.villarrealcf.es).

Spanish media reported that Villarreal had paid close to seven million euros for the 23-year-old midfielder, who has won six caps for France.

Mavuba, who father Ricky played for Zaire in the 1974 World Cup, was born on a boat off the coast of Angola in 1984 while the family was fleeing from the Angolan civil war.

* Striker Adriano looks set to stay at Inter Milan despite a disappointing season. "It is clear I would like to wear the colours of a club like AC Milan or Real Madrid but there is nothing concrete. I am happy where I am," he told Italian media.

* Torino have signed Udinese defender Cesare Natali on a five-year contract while Udinese have bought midfielder Gokan Inler from FC Zurich, the Serie A clubs said in statements.

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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