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• Atalanta sign Patricio, Musso joins Atletico on loan

  Rui Patricio has signed for Atalanta on a one-year deal as a free transfer following his departure from Roma.

  The 36-year-old left the Italian capital after the expiry of his contract, being replaced as first-choice keeper by Mile Svilar when Daniele De Rossi took over as manager.

  Patricio joined Roma in July 2021 and made 129 appearances, keeping 48 clean sheets in all competitions. He won the inaugural Europa Conference League title with the club.

  At international level, he earned 108 caps for Portugal and was part of the team that won the 2016 European Championship.

  Atalanta announced the signing hours after goalkeeper Juan Musso moved to Atletico Madrid on loan until the end of the season.

  Musso was limited to just 24 appearances for Atalanta in all competitions last season but played a huge role as the club claimed just the second trophy in their history by beating Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.

  In 11 Serie A appearances last season, Musso made 23 saves and conceded 12 goals, keeping six clean sheets.

• Stern test: Wounded Mount Pleasant face CFU Club Shield winners Arnett Gardens in tough Concacaf Carib Cup tie

  After a topsy-turvy week in which they lost their opening Concacaf Caribbean Cup encounter, sacked Harold Thomas, and brought back Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore, Mount Pleasant FA will be hoping to ride a more positive wave when they engage Arnett Gardens on Tuesday.

  While it will be Mount Pleasant’s second Group A outing, having lost 0-2 to reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions Cavalier last week, Arnett Gardens will be wetting their feet in the tournament for the first time since winning the Caribbean Club Shield, and they will be intent on maintaining their rich vein of form.

  Sabina Park should be abuzz for the 5:00pm encounter, which has mouth-watering prospects, as Arnett Gardens and Mount Pleasant have met several times in the JPL with both teams securing six wins apiece while drawing another five. However, this will be their first ever meeting in this tournament.

  With both teams hunting their first point to stay in touch with group leaders Cavalier (three points), as well as Trinidad and Tobago’s Police FC and Haiti’s Real Hope on a point each, it is anybody’s guess where the points will go, if not being shared.

  Though targeting victory on return to the St Ann-based club, Whitmore is by no means grandstanding against a high-riding Arnett Gardens.

  “Arnett Gardens are just coming out of a tournament, which they won. So they will be upbeat. Our players know the task at hand. They know it’s going to be a difficult game, but I think this unit is up for it,” Whitmore said in a pre-game conference.

  “It’s for us to put ourselves out there and give 110 percent. But there is one other thing, and that is to get a positive result. We have not spent a lot of time with the players, so we are still trying to put the pieces together. Hopefully, come match day, we will be ready,” he added.

  For Arnett Gardens Head coach Xavier Gilbert, this encounter represents the start of their quest to cop a coveted double-title feat, much like last year’s winners, SV Robinhood of Suriname.

  “It would be nice to win the double, but we just want to take it one step at a time and not think too far ahead. This first game is going to be extremely tough because Mount Pleasant are coming off a loss, and I am sure they will want to ensure that they stay in the hunt,” Gilbert stated.

  “They are a quality team, and they have acquired some good players, so it is going to be tough, but we are going to put our best foot forward and ensure that we get something out of the game. We anticipate that Whitmore, who coached them last year, knows the players well, and he will probably put the pieces together despite not having a lot of time,” he noted.

  Elsewhere in Group B on Tuesday, Dominican Republic’s Moca FC will host Trinidad and Tobago's AC Port of Spain at the Estadio Moca 85.

  Both are on a point each, same as another Dominican Republic outfit, Cibao FC, who will also host Antigua and Barbuda club Grenades FC at the Estadio Cibao.

  Grenades FC, who were runners-up to Arnett Gardens in the CFU Club Shield, will be out for the first time in this tournament.

  Meanwhile, Group A leaders Cavalier will be back in action on Thursday against Police FC at Sabina Park.

• Merino makes Arsenal switch from Real Sociedad

  Arsenal have announced the signing of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad on a four-year contract.

  The midfielder has joined in a deal worth up to £31.6million, with the option to extend his stay for an extra year.

  Merino is returning to the Premier League, having signed for La Real from Newcastle United in 2018.

  He made 242 appearances for the Spanish side in all competitions, scoring 27 goals and registering 30 assists.

  Last season, he won 326 duels, the most of any player in the top five European Leagues, while his 197 recoveries in LaLiga were the most of any outfield player for La Real.

  "Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility," Mikel Arteta said of his new signing.

  "He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now. Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality.

  "As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his strong performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and can't wait to start working with him."

  Merino is the fourth signing by Arsenal during this transfer window, after Tommy Setford, Riccardo Calafiori, and the permanent move for David Raya.