GERMANY goalkeeper Andreas Koepke, who conceded his first goal of Euro 96 in his country's quarter-final victory over Croatia, has agreed a two-year contract with Barcelona.
His manager Karl Ortegel said that he had agreed the contract, with an option for a further year, on Koepke's behalf.
The Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper had appeared set to join 1992 German champions VfB Stuttgart.
But Barcelona made Koepke an offer after their new coach Bobby Robson failed to take Portugal goalkeeper Vitor Baia with him from Porto.
Ortegel said he did not expect problems with Stuttgart, who say they had reached an understanding with Koepke.
q.HEARTS defender Craig Levein's injury-hit career took a depressing turn last night when it was revealed that he will need another operation.
The Scottish internationalist, who missed most of last season through ligament injury, looks set to be sidelined until Christmas at least.
Levein has been plagued by knee trouble during his 13-year career at Tynecastle, but the defender, who injured a knee in a Coca-Cola Cup match against Dunfermline at Tynecastle last season, pledged to fight on to save his career.
He said: ``I know I am not getting any younger and I'm getting fed up but I'm still determined to play again. There is a lot of hard work in front of me but the rest of my body is in good shape.''
Levein, the club's former captain, has agreed a month-to-month contract with the Tynecastle side as his current deal ends at the end of June.
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