Brazil forward CRISTIANE is heading to China's Women's Super League side Changchun Dazhong Zhuoyue, the "latest big-name player to move to the country as it tries to increase its profile" in world football. The 31-year-old will join the club from Paris St. Germain on June 30. The terms of the deal are confidential. Chinese media reported the club said that Cristiane will become the "highest paid" female football player in the world (AP, 2/13). ... Former Asian Games gold medalist and two-time Olympic boxer VIKAS KRISHAN "revealed that he is planning to turn professional by the end of this year provided the national federation keeps the amateur doors open for him." The former World Championships bronze medalist said that he "has his eyes set on the professional arena" (PTI, 2/13). ... Former Ghana football coach SAM ARDAY has been "confirmed dead, days after battling an illness." The 71-year-old was "rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching hospital in Accra early hours of Sunday but could not make it back home" (GOAL, 2/13). ... RAFAEL NADAL's uncle, TONI NADAL, will reportedly "step down as his coach after this year's ATP Tour, as he feels he has been sidelined by other figures in the player's entourage." The 55-year-old has been with the 14-time Grand Slam champion "since before the Spaniard broke into the big-time by winning the French Open as a teenager" in '05. He said that he "wants to concentrate on training emerging players" (London TELEGRAPH, 2/13). ... JOE ROOT has been named England's new Test captain. The Yorkshire batsman, 26, succeeds ALASTAIR COOK, "who resigned last week after more than four years in charge." Root steps up from vice-captain, with Durham all-rounder BEN STOKES, 25, filling the role as his deputy (BBC, 2/13). ... Five-time Olympic cycling champion BRADLEY WIGGINS "quit TV winter sports show The Jump after breaking his leg." The former Tour de France winner said that he was "gutted" after sustaining a "small leg fracture" while taking part in snowcross training. Channel 4 said that Bradley had been "keen to continue but would not appear after the fourth show in the series" (BBC, 2/13).
ROC NATION: Hip hop artist JAY Z is "plotting a sensational move into Premier League football as a top youngster's sports agent." The American's firm has approached ManU talent ROSHAUN WILLIAMS to become his representative. Jay Z, who launched his sports management company Roc Nation Sports in '13, is "believed to have personally contacted Williams," who is currently managed by his dad, ERROL (THE SUN, 2/13).
