DONE DEAL: Chelsea confirm Middlesbrough move for Kenneth Omeruo

Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo has left Stamford Bridge to extend his loan spell at Middlesbrough for another season.

A statement on Boro’s official website read, “Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo has finalised his return to Middlesbrough on a season long loan…”

“The Nigerian international arrives on the back of a summer that saw him feature in all four of his country’s World Cup matches in Brazil.”

The 20-year-old spent the second half of the last season at Riverside Stadium and will now continue his loan spell for another season with the Championship side. Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has expressed his delight after completing a loan move for Omeruo.

“He is a very important player to us. He’s someone I love to have with us because he’s a player who came here from Chelsea and his mood was always perfect,” Karanka said.

“He was always happy and fighting for his position. He was handed the opportunity to play in the World Cup and he is now coming back to us a better player.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea have released a statement on their official website, wishing the centre-back and also confirming his loan move to Middlesbrough.

“Kenneth Omeruo has returned to Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season. We wish Kenneth well at Middlesbrough and you can keep updated with his progress here on the official Chelsea website,” the statement read of Chelsea’s official website.

Celtic 0-2 Legia Warsaw (1-6 agg): Hoops' Champions League hopes go up in smoke

Celtic's Champions Leagues hopes went up in smoke as Legia Warsaw comfortably beat the Scottish champions 2-0 in the second leg of their third qualifier at the Murrayfield stadium.

Trailing 4-1 from the first game in Poland, the Hoops' task became virtually impossible when Michal Zyro notched in the 36th minute to quell any notions of a famous fightback.

The Scottish champions were booed off at the interval and when Michal Kucharczyk added a second on the hour mark the atmosphere threatened to turn ugly for a while with the home side and fans ultimately happy to escape without further punishment.

This crucial tie was Ronny Deila's first big test as Parkhead boss since taking over from Neil Lennon and he came up well short.

Celtic drop into the Europa League play-off which is unlikely to stimulate their fans and while the loss of Champions League money - £20million is a familiar figure - will not debilitate the Parkhead club, there may be ramifications.

Few will be surprised if keeper Fraser Forster leaves for pastures new but others such as defenders Virgil van Dijk and Adam Matthews may feel the time is now right to move on.

Moreover, without the lure of European football's elite club competition, Deila may find it difficult to attract the quality of player supporters want to see.

It was crystal clear, over the two legs against Legia, that the former Stromsgodset manager's squad needs bolstering.

Without defender Efe Ambrose - who was sent off in Poland last week - Deila brought in left-back Emilio Izaguirre, midfielder Nir Biton and striker Anthony Stokes with Teemu Pukki and Jo Inge Berget dropping to the bench.

Winger James Forrest started among the substitutes after recovering from a groin injury and he watched his team mates, almost inevitably, push forward from the start looking to get a foothold in the tie.

The home of Scottish rugby - being used again as Celtic Park remains out of commission after being used in the 2014 Commonwealth Games - was far from full and understandably could not replicate the atmosphere of a European night in the east end of Glasgow.

Nevertheless, there was an optimism emanating from the Hoops support as they urged their team forward.

But Legia looked potent going forward and in the 10th minute skipper Ivica Vrdoljak, who missed two penalties in the first game, had a speculative effort from 20 yards which required attention from Forster, seconds before his counterpart at the other end, Dusan Kuciak, did well to smother a Matthews cut-back.

The visitors had certainly not travelled to Edinburgh just to defend which led to an open encounter with both teams swapping shots on goal while neither were particularly diligent in possession.

In the 33rd minute Matthews drove down the right and into the Legia penalty area again but failed to find a team mate with this pass, to the frustration of the home supporters and Stokes in particular.

Three minutes later, it was all over for Celtic.

There seemed no immediate danger when Kucharczyk sent Zyro through against just Izaguirre but he left the Honduran in his wake, drawing Forster and slipping the ball into the corner of the net.

The Glasgow side tried to rally after the break but to no avail.

Stokes forced a good save from Kuciak with a curling shot from 20 yards in the 56th minute before Kris Commons went close with an effort which just escaped the far post.

Striker Leigh Griffiths replaced defender Mikael Lustig which required a reshuffle, captain Charlie Mulgrew dropping back to defence but the Hoops were disjointed and dispirited, all too easily allowing Kucharczyk to sneak into the box, take possession of a Zyro flick and round Forster before knocking in from an angle.

The fans began to turn their ire on chief executive Peter Lawwell as they contemplated the loss of more goals.

Pukki replaced Commons and Forrest came on for Stokes but there was still no way through for Celtic, the noise of the final whistle immediately drowned out by more frustrated boos from those home fans who had stayed to the end, while a healthy travelling support celebrated.

Blow for Arsenal and Liverpool! Real Madrid star signs new deal

Arsenal and Liverpool's hopes of landing Real Madrid star Karim Benzema appear to be over after the forward signed a new five-year contract with the European champions.

The France international had been tipped for a move away due to Los Blancos signing Colombia star James Rodriguez and their reported interest in Monaco striker Radamel Falcao.

But the 26-year-old has agreed fresh terms at Santiago Bernabeu, putting an end to rumours linking him with a £30million move to either the Gunners or the Reds.

Benzema enjoyed a great season last time out, scoring 17 goals in La Liga as he formed one third of Real's potent attack, which included superstars Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Arsenal are keen to avoid selling Vermaelen to Man United', claims Olley

London Evening Standard chief football correspondent James Olley has told talkSPORT Arsenal are keen to avoid selling club captain Thomas Vermaelen to rivals Manchester United.

The Belgian defender is craving a move away from the Emirates after being unable to break up the first choice centre-back partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker last season.

Arsene Wenger has already admitted Vermaelen is likely to leave the Gunners and both the Red Devils and Barcelona have been linked with a £10million move for the 28-year-old.

However, Olley believes the Gunners would much rather sell to the La Liga side and he told Danny Kelly on Kick Off: "There is an unwillingness among the club's hierarchy to get into a situation where they sell their captain [to United again].

"Although he's not got the same importance as Van Persie had at the time in 2012 when they sold him to United, they don't really want to be seen to be selling their captain to United for the second time in three years.

"Back then with Van Perise they were in a very difficult position. They still needed the money, he was obviously a huge asset at the time and they felt they got a good price for him at £24m, for a player who had a year left on his deal.

"Vermaelen clearly doesn't have the same talismanic, iconic reputation at the club. He doesn't have the same role but he is in the final year of his contract. However, Arsenal are no longer under [the same] financial constraints and clearly they're in a stronger position to negotiate.

"They would prefer, as they did with Van Persie, to sell overseas. They want to sell to a European club."

Webb retires from refereeing

Referee Howard Webb, who took charge of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Final, has retired as an official, taking on the role of technical director for the organisation that oversees refereeing in England.

Webb has stepped out onto the pitch with whistle and cards in hands for a quarter of a century, becoming the first Englishman to officiate a World Cup final in 36 years, and the first referee ever to do it in the same year as taking charge of the UEFA Champions League final. Domestically he has refereed over 500 games in the English Premier League since his first game in the top division in 2003.

“I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career after a wonderfully rewarding 25 years on the pitch. I have spent over a decade with the best seat in the house,” Webb said, whose role with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited will also include educating and informing the public on refereeing matters.

The 43-year-old was present at Brazil 2014, taking charge of Colombia-Côte d'Ivoire and Brazil-Chile in the Round of 16, as part of appearing in 21 games at six FIFA tournaments. He also officiated at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 and the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.

“Today is a special and sad day because one of the best referees in the world has brought his career to a close. Howard was always serious and prepared for every game in a very professional way,” FIFA Head of Refereeing Massimo Bussaca said.

“Without passion and natural quality you can not reach the highest level. Howard was always a great example for every young referee. I am sure he will be able to transmit his knowledge and experience to many referees in England and around the world in his new role. My advice to him? Be like you were on the pitch.”

Speaking to FIFA ahead of the latest World Cup, Webb cast his mind back to the game in Soccer City between Spain and the Netherlands four years earlier. “It was a great honour to be there. It was fantastic. That Final completely changed my life.

“[I remember] walking towards the pitch, picking up the golden Jabulani ball and going past the World Cup Trophy. It was the shiniest piece of metal I’ve ever seen in my life: a golden statue with a globe on top and a green base. It’s incredible.”