Football: Richards is a Saint

DEAN RICHARDS, the Wolves central defender, agreed a four-year contract with Southampton yesterday, writes Phil Shaw. Richards, 25, leaves Molineux on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling, four years after a pounds 1.8m move from Bradford.

Dave Jones, the Southampton manager, now hopes to buy the Birmingham striker Peter Ndlovu. Jones has, however, failed with a pounds 1m bid to sign the Argentinian Under-21 midfielder Mario Turdo.

Birmingham City have pulled out of a deal to sign Bjarne Goldbaek, the Danish international winger, despite agreeing a pounds 1.6m fee with Chelsea. The First Division club were not prepared to meet Goldbaek's wage demands.

Derby County's tour match against the United States national side finished in a 2-1 defeat. Eddie Lewis and Ben Olsen scored for the US afterDean Sturridge had given Derby a first-half lead.