FOOTBALL: Liverpool have made their second signing of the summer after agreeing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can.

The Reds have been chasing the Germany Under-21 international for some time and have finally completed the deal for £9.75 million.

He follows the arrival of Rickie Lambert who was signed earlier this week.

The club said: “Liverpool have today agreed a deal in principle with Bayer Leverkusen to sign 20-year-old Emre Can, subject to documentation being completed.”

FOOTBALL: Trevor Brooking will retire from his role as the FA’s director of football development after the World Cup.

The FA has announced that Brooking has decided to leave English football’s governing body after 11 years in the role.

During his time at the FA, Brooking has been a keen advocate of improving coaching and playing standards at grass-roots level.

RUGBY: Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker has issued a public apology for making homophobic comments during last Friday’s Super League match at Warrington.

The 22-year-old looks certain to be charged with breaching their Respect policy and bringing the game into disrepute.

“I would like to apologise to Michael Monaghan, who my comments were aimed at,” said Hardaker.

TENNIS: Maria Sharapova reached her third successive French Open final by battling past Eugenie Bouchard yesterday.

Sharapova maintained her remarkable record in three-set matches by winning an 18th consecutive deciding set on clay in a 4-6 7-5 6-2 victory.

The Russian won her first title at Roland Garros in 2012 before losing to Serena Williams 12 months ago.

She will meet the winner of Simona Halep or Andrea Petkovic tomorrow.