Sporting Digest: Football

Bradford City have signed the Port Vale forward, Lee Mills, for a record pounds 1m. The 28-year-old scored 44 goals in 94 appearances for Vale.

The Aberdeen manager, Alex Miller, has confirmed that he will continue as assistant to the Scotland manager, Craig Brown. Miller currently combines his duties at Pittodrie with his deputy role for the national team.

The former Sunderland striker, Craig Russell, has joined Tranmere on a three-month loan deal from Manchester City.

Paul Alsaker, a Norwegian-born midfielder, is joining Stockport County from Flora Tallin in Estonia under the Bosman ruling.

Dundee United have completed the free transfer of the 31-year-old French defender, Bernard Pascual, from Le Havre on a two-year contract.

Mark Robins, the 29-year-old former Manchester United striker, has left the Spanish Second Division side, Orense, to join the Greek Cup holders, Panionios, on a one-year contract.

Reading have completed the signing of two Dutch players, Peter van der Kwaak and Elroy Kromheer, on two-year contracts. Van der Kwaak, a goalkeeper, has signed on a free transfer from Dordrecht, while Kromheer, a centre- back, cost pounds 150,000 from Zwolle.

Plymouth Argyle have signed the Oldham Athletic striker, Shaun McCarthy, for a nominal fee. It is his second spell at Home Park.

Celtic have agreed three-year contracts with two Italian trialists, Alessandro Sanne, 18, from Vitervese and Marco Cortani, 19, from Roma. Both arrive on free transfers.

Mick Harford has announced his retirement from a playing career spanning 20 years and 10 different clubs. The 39-year-old forward will now concentrate solely on his coaching duties with his current club, Wimbledon.