Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League champions. The Italian, 64, led the Foxes to their first top-flight title in his first season with the club. Ranieri joins key players Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan and Jamie Vardy in extending his contract. “The energy that exists here – from the owners and the staff, to the players and supporters – is something very special,” he told the club website. “Last season, that spirit and our hard work helped us to achieve something magical. If we can continue to work hard, maintain our passion and continue to fight with all our hearts, I am sure we can continue to be successful together.” Ranieri’s side won last season’s title at odds of 5,000-1, and will be one of the top seeds in the Champions League draw later this month.

Everton have signed Wales captain Ashley Williams from Premier League rivals Swansea for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £12m. The 31-year-old defender is new manager Ronald Koeman’s third summer purchase after Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. “I believe the club is going in the right direction,” said Williams. The defender, who has agreed a three-year deal with the Merseyside club, said he was keen to work with former Netherlands international Koeman. “He’s been one of the greatest centre-halves to ever play the game, so I look forward to learning from him and seeing what he can teach me,” Williams told the club’s website.

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that German Gernot Rohr has signed a two-year deal to work as a technical adviser. The 63-year-old ex-Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso coach will be assisted by Salisu Yusuf, who was appointed as chief coach last month. The NFF’s technical committee recommended Rohr after the federation failed to reach an agreement with Frenchman Paul Le Guen last month. “I am enthusiastic to get to work,” Rohr told the NFF website. “This is a big challenge because Nigeria has big players everywhere and has the ability to do well internationally. “I have a German heart – the heart of a winner. “I have confidence that with the right atmosphere and the right support, the Super Eagles have the capacity not only to qualify for the World Cup, but get to the latter stages of the competition.”