Football: Moreno to make history at Boro

MIDDLESBROUGH have signed Jaime Moreno, the World Cup forward, who will become the first Bolivian to play in the Football League when the season begins next month.

Moreno impressed Boro's manager, Bryan Robson, during a two- week trial at Ayresome Park, persuading the former England captain he was worth a pounds 250,000 transfer fee. His Bolivian club, Blooming, will receive a further pounds 125,000 if the 20-year-old completes 50 appearances.

Moreno scored twice in a testimonial match at Darlington. 'I would like to have seen him against better-quality opposition but this was not possible because of work permit problems. I am buying potential and I hope our judgement will be proved right,' Robson said.

Moreno came on as a substitute in Bolivia's World Cup Group C games against Germany and Spain in the United States.

Aston Villa's pounds 1m signing of Nii Lamptey, the Anderlecht forward, has also run into difficulties over his work permit. The Home Office has told the 19-year-old Ghanaian that he must return to Africa while his application is processed, which is expected to take a fortnight.

A virus prevented Alan Shearer from flying to Scandinavia for Blackburn's three-match tour, but he may join the team later. Better news for Rovers was that Jason Wilcox has signed a four-year contract, and Robbie Slater, the 29- year-old British-born Australian international midfielder, has agreed a two-year deal. He has played for Lens, in France, for the past four years, having joined them from Anderlecht.

Tranmere have refused Sheffield Wednesday's pounds 750,000 offer for left-back Ian Nolan.

Rick Wright, the owner of Cardiff City, has reached agreement with three groups willing to pay him pounds 800,000 to take over the Ninian Park club. Two groups have lodged deposits of pounds 50,000, while the third, headed by Frank Maloney, the manager of world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis, was due to do so.

'This is not a bidding match. The price is fixed and the question to be decided is which of these three parties is best for Cardiff City,' Wright said.

John Cartwright is leaving Charlton, where he ran the youth team, to become coach at Kuwait Sporting Club for the third time.

Kazuyoshi Miura, Japan's player of the year last season, has signed for Genoa to become the first Asian to play in Serie A.