Football news in brief: Barclays seal new deal with Premier League

BARCLAYS has extended its global sponsorship of the English Premier League until 2016 in a new three-year deal worth £40 million. The new deal will run from 2013 to 2016.

The current arrangement that expires at the end of the 2012/13 season has seen Barclays pay £27.5 million per year. The deal gives Barclays global title sponsorship of the League and exclusive worldwide marketing rights.

Milan duo poised for £51m PSG switch

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has claimed the club are selling striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Thiago Silva to French side Paris St Germain. The pair are reported to have joined the ambitious Ligue 1 outfit for a combined €65 million (£51.4 million). “Yes, I sold Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to PSG,” Berlusconi was quoted as saying last night on www.gazzetta.it. “We will save 150 million euros in two years.”

Hibs set to face East Fife tomorrow

Hibernian have arranged a whirlwind friendly with East Fife tomorrow after seeing their first match of pre-season fall foul of the weather. Hibs had been due to face Rapid Bucharest at Grangemouth Stadium on Wednesday. However, the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Now they will face Gordon Durie’s side at Bayview Stadium, with a 2pm kick-off.

Cosmos rise again to play in NASL

The New York Cosmos, a club that once featured Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, are returning to competitive action next year after a 28-year absence as part of the second division North American Soccer League (NASL). The original Cosmos folded in 1985 after a short but high-profile existence, but were brought back to life in 2010.