As they prepare to restart their league campaign with a four-point lead over the chasing pack, PSV Eindhoven have been boosted by the news that Erik Pieters, the defender, has signed a new contract with the club.
Pieters told the club's website while with the team at a training camp in Malaga that a verbal agreement was in place to keep him at the club until 2014, and that it will be signed when the club return to Holland this weekend.
"This is good news. We will now have to wait when everything will be put on paper, but I'm very happy with the contract extension," he said. "It was important for me to have a good feeling about this and that the contract offer reflects PSV's appreciation of me.
"We reached an agreement after a number of good meetings."
The 22-year-old Dutch native joined PSV in 2008 from Utrecht and has made five appearances for Holland's national team.
Meanwhile, this week has seen the departure of Nordin Amrabat to Turkish club Kayserispor for an undisclosed fee.
Second-placed Twente have improved their defensive options for their title challenge by taking Oguchi Onyewu, the American defender, on loan from AC Milan until the end of the season.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)