Fred ousts Nilmar in Brazil Copa squad

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has surprisingly selected Fluminense captain Fred in his Copa America squad, with Villarreal striker Nilmar missing the cut at his expense.

• Brazil win as Ronaldo bids final farewell
Fred, 27, scored Brazil's winner in 1 -0 victory over Romania on Tuesday night, a game that saw Ronaldo's final appearance for the Selecao.
The former Lyon forward was withdrawn after half an hour, with O Fenomeno coming on in his place, but Fred's goal appeared to do enough to convince Menezes that he was worthy of a place in the Brazil squad for the continental showpiece in Argentina next month.
Fred is one of four strikers, alongside Robinho, Alexandre Pato and Neymar, and he also pipped Internacional striker Leandro Damiao, who has impressed recently with his displays in the Gaucho State Championship.
Brazil are defending champions and Menezes side are looking to win the tournament for the third time in a row and fifth time in six editions.
Santos star Ganso has also made the cut for the Selecao's campaign in Argentina, despite missing the last two matches through injury; he is expected to return for his club in their Copa Libertadores semi-final second leg against Penarol on June 22.
Brazil squad for Copa America:
Goalkeepers Victor (Gremio), Julio Cesar (Inter)
Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Inter), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Adriano (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter), Thiago Silva (Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea) Luisao (Benfica)
Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Ramires (Chelsea), Sandro (Tottenham), Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Elano (Santos), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Lucas Silva (Sao Paulo)
Forwards: Robinho (Milan), Alexandre Pato (Milan), Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Santos)

Bayern finally agree deal for Neuer

manuel Neuer will play for Bayern Munich from next season after a fee was agreed with Schalke.

Neuer was moving into the last year of his contract with Schalke and was certain to move on. He had been linked with Manchester United but the goalkeeper always made it clear he wanted to remain in Germany.
He will officially sign a five-year contract with the Bavarians once he undergoes a medical upon his return from international duty, and become a Bayern player on July 1.
Neuer said: "I am really looking forward to this huge and exciting challenge at Bayern.
"Many of my international team-mates will be my team-mates in Munich. Therefore I won't be going into a new environment and will certainly settle in quickly.''
Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: "Bayern are very happy in Manuel Neuer to have signed for the long term not only the Germany number one, but also one of the best goalkeepers in the world.''
Neuer has been Schalke's number one since making his debut in 2005, and made his farewell appearance in their DFB-Pokal final victory earlier this month.
Schalke general manager and board member Horst Heldt said the club had allowed Neuer to leave with a heavy heart: "This was a difficult decision for all those involved, because in Manuel Neuer the club are losing an outstanding player in every respect.
"But we have now finally decided to accept Bayern's offer, because given the circumstances it is the best solution for Schalke. We also promised Manuel we would honour his wish to be able to move on in the summer. Even though it will certainly hurt almost all Schalke supporters to the soul to lose such a role model, we should not forget the great things Manuel Neuer has achieved at the club.
"In sporting terms, he had a huge role in the success of the last five years, this season in winning the DFB-Pokal and in reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time.''
Bayern have also confirmed the signing of one of Neuer's former Schalke team-mates, Brazilian right-back Rafinha, from Genoa. The 25-year-old, who spent five years in Gelsenkirchen before moving to Serie A last year, has signed a three-year contract at Bayern.
Ralf Fahrmann will be Neuer's replacement at Schalke after he rejoined the club at which he started his career on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 22-year-old has joined on a four-year contract.

Bayern complete Neuer signing

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has completed his transfer to Bayern Munich, signing for the Bavarians on a five-year deal after passing a medical on Wednesday.

• Hesse: Schalke profit from Neuer
Bayern announced last week that they had signed the sought-after goalkeeper from Schalke, but had to wait to put the finishing touches on the transfer after he had been away on international duty with Germany in Azerbaijan.
Neuer, 25, had been expected to join Bayern since April when he confirmed he would not extend his contract at Schalke.
In the interim he was linked to Manchester United after impressing in Schalke's Champions League semi-final defeat to the Red Devils, however, he said at his unveiling he only ever intended to join Bayern.
"I feel this is the right move because I am the Germany goalkeeper and Bayern Munich is the best club in Germany,'' he told Bayern Munich's official website.
"I'm glad that everything is now behind me. I am looking forward to this challenge, the first training sessions and training camps.''
Neuer is the first major signing for new boss Jupp Heynckes with the club having also plumped for Brazilian defender Rafinha as they look to rebuild after a relatively poor season last time out.
The Bavarians only snuck into third place in the Bundesliga table, crucially qualifying for the Champions League to salvage something from a disappointing campaign, but goalkeeper proved a problem position for them.
However, Neuer believes he can help turn the club's fortunes around as he looks to cement his growing reputation with silverware.
"I know definitely what I want,'' he said. "I look forward to these five years. I know Munich and I think I will feel comfortable here. I know this is not normal for me, this is all new territory. But I look forward to it.''