Football: Newcastle complete pounds 2m signing of Greek defender

NIKOS DABIZAS, a Greek international defender, completed his pounds 2m transfer from Olympiakos Piraeus to Newcastle United yesterday after passing a medical test.

The 24-year-old central defender, who has 20 international caps, starred in his club's title-winning campaign last year and played for them in the European Cup this season. He has signed a four-year contract believed to be worth pounds 1m and his arrival may put an end to Newcastle's interest in Bayern Munich's German international defender, Markus Babbel.

Sources in South America claim that Aston Villa have agreed a pounds 2m fee with Colo Colo for the Chilean midfielder Jose Luis Sierra.

The 29-year-old is understood to be set to fly into Birmingham next week to formally tie up the deal with Villa. It was Sierra's defence-splitting pass which set up the brilliant first-half goal for Marcelo Salas in Chile's 2-0 friendly win over England last month.

Manchester City have signed Leeds United's veteran centrehalf, Richard Jobson, on a free transfer. The City manager, Joe Royle, moved for 34- year-old after the news that the Georgian, Murtaz Shelia, is out for the season with knee damage.

The Benfica coach, Graeme Souness, is trying to raise the money to match Liverpool's pounds 4m valuation of the Czech forward, Patrik Berger. He is selling the Dutch winger Gaston Taument to Anderlecht for pounds 1.5m and has also listed the Swedish striker, Martin Pringle, at around pounds 1m.

Sheffield Wednesday's new pounds 1.75m centre-half from HJajduk Split, Goce Sedloski, has been granted a work permit by the Department of Education and Employment. However, the 23-year-old Macedonian international has yet to receive international clearance.

Millwall have appointed Steve Gritt as assistant manager to Billy Bonds. Gritt was sacked as manager of Brighton last month.