UNITED REWARDED SMALLING WITH A 5 YEAR CONTRACT

Defender Chris Smalling has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United.

The improved contract is acknowledgment of the 21-year-old's exceptional debut season. He made 34 appearances and far exceeded the expectations of Sir Alex Ferguson following a £7million summer move from Fulham.

It was enough to secure him a first Premier League title medal, while he was also part of the United side that defeated Chelsea in last season's Community Shield.

"I am delighted Chris has signed a new contract," said Ferguson.

"Chris has been outstanding since joining us from Fulham last year.

"He is an extremely talented young defender. He is quick, strong and reads the game well. He is a great asset to the team."

Having been one of the few members of England's Under-21 squad to emerge with any praise from a below par European Championship campaign in Denmark last month, Smalling will return to United on Monday ahead of the flight to the United States for a five-match pre-season tour.

The departure of long-serving duo Wes Brown and John O'Shea to Sunderland emphasizes the belief Ferguson has in Smalling, who has been joined at Old Trafford this summer by England U21 defensive partner Phil Jones.

"This is a great club and in the short time I have been here I have already achieved more than I could have ever expected to," said the Londoner.

"I am looking forward to a long and successful career at Manchester United."

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CISSOKHO COULD JOIN THE KOPS'

Lyon's Aly Cissokho could move to Liverpool, after Manchester City signed Liverpool target Geal Clichy last week.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was left disappointed after the Citizens swooped in for Gael Clichy earlier this week, and has turned his attention to Cissokho .

The player is likely to cost a transfer fee in the region of £10million.

It should not hard for the Scot to persuade the player to Anfield this summer, as he said in April this year: "Lyon is a city and a club that I love.

"I'm happy in France but if I ever had to change clubs I would go to the Premier League because they practice a style of football similar to how I play on the field."

Cissokho is a French international and received his first call-up to the team in November 2009 and made his senior debut a year later in August 2010 in a friendly match against Norway.

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CITY OF MANCHESTER STADIUM TO BE RENAMED AS "ETIHAD STADIUM"

Manchester City have confirmed that the City Of Manchester stadium will be renamed the Etihad Stadium after signing a 10-year partnership agreement with Etihad Airways.

The stadium renaming was just one of several commercial deals announced by City chief executive Garry Cook and James Hogan, chief executive of the Etihad airline.

Cook said: "We are delighted to be expanding our relationship with Etihad Airways through this comprehensive partnership agreement.

"Most importantly, in addition to delivering significant revenue at a key stage in the club's evolution, the agreement creates exciting opportunities for our two organisations to co-operate more deeply commercially and on media and community initiatives in the future."

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O'SHEA JOINS THE BLACK CATS AFTER BROWN

Manchester United defender John O'Shea has signed a four-year deal to join Wes Brown at Sunderland.

The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international passed his medical on Thursday morning and become Steve Bruce's eighth summer signing.

The Irishman has joined for an undisclosed fee after United last month accepted a joint offer of more than £12million for him, Brown and midfielder Darron Gibson.

O'Shea said: "Once I'd heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager was all about, it was the only place I was going to come to."

Manager Steve Bruce said: "John has been a solid, consistent part of Manchester United's squad for well over a decade, which goes to show the fantastic pedigree of player we have signed.

"He is a wonderful professional both on and off the field and his wealth of experience and versatility will be great attributes for us.

"I'm delighted with the players we have been able to secure ahead of the new season."

O'Shea has five Barclays Premier League titles, an FA Cup winners' medal, three League Cup successes and a Champions League triumph among his list of achievements at Old Trafford.

John made almost 400 appearances for the Red Devils during his twelve years withUnited and it was initially thought he would take some persuading to leave.

It was a busy day for the Wearside club, legal director Margaret Byrne was appointed as new chief executive and Bryan "Pop" Robson returned as chief scout.

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ZAPATA AGREED DEAL WITH VILLAREAL

Cristian Zapata has ignored Liverpool's interest and agreed a deal with Spanish side Villarreal.

Liverpool made a bid for the Udinese central defender last month, but Villarreal were always at the head of the queue which also included German side Bayern Munich.

After talks with Zapata’s agent, Villarreal have come to agreement with the Colombian Defender.

The 24-year-old has agreed a five-year deal and will officially sign the deal after the Copa America.

"They were the first club to show an interest in him," his agent Jerome Barbadillo said when asked why he opted for Villarreal.

"He is very happy, but is now focused on the Copa America - but he is aware of everything."

The deal is understood to be worth €7million and they are also reported to have offered them one of Jozy Altidore or Marco Ruben.

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