Rangers keep Laudrup

Brian Laudrup, the Danish international striker, has decided to stay at Rangers at least until the end of next season after two days of talks with his chairman, David Murray, at his summer home in Jersey.

The 28-year-old striker's brother, Michael, was expected to join Ajax from the J-League club Kobe, and it was thought that if Michael was heading for Amsterdam then Brian would team up with him as they were keen to play together at club level.

The fact that the Scottish champions have already spent around pounds 10m on new players was believed to have influenced his decision to stay.

Ajax's new manager, the former Danish international Morten Olsen, who was confident of bringing the brothers together, will be disappointed, as will the Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, especially as his attempt to sign the Bayern Munich defender Markus Babbel is in doubt. Babbel turned down United's first offer, but Babbel's Swiss lawyers told United yesterday that the player will continue negotiations.

Chelsea have signed the Dutch international goalkeeper Ed De Goey from Feyenoord for pounds 2.25m on a five-year contract. Ruud Gullit, the Chelsea manager, checked out his 30-year-old former Feyenoord team-mate in South Africa last week when the Netherlands won a friendly international 2-0.

"This is a dream move," said De Goey, who has won 29 international caps. "Several Dutch and Spanish clubs have shown an interest in me but when I knew Ruud wanted me there was only one club for me - Chelsea. The prospect of playing in England with a big club like Chelsea really excites me."