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Chelsea are set to sign goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Genk on a five-year deal.

It is reported that Chelsea have paid around €9 million (£7.9 million) for the signature of Courtois.

Further claims suggest the 19-year-old Belgian will be loaned back to Genk, although Chelsea have yet to unveil the full details of the agreement.

Genk director Dirk Degraen said: “We received an enormous offer that gave us no choice but to let our goalkeeper leave.

“But I have mixed feelings about this transfer. Genk wanted Thibaut to stay a bit longer.”

Courtois, who is tipped for a bright future, is happy to wait for his chance to shine at Stamford Bridge, with Petr Cech the club’s long-standing No. 1.

He said: “Chelsea see me as the successor to Petr Cech. It won’t happen in one or two years, but in three, four or five years. I can therefore work on my development in peace.

Speaking after his side’s 1-0 friendly match win over Portsmouth, Chelsea boss Andres Villas-Boas said: “There is an agreement between the two clubs. It is also subject to personal agreements and from then we will decide what is best for him.”

Asked whether Courtois could challenge for a first-team spot this season, Villas-Boas said: “Let’s wait for him to agree terms. It seems unfair for me to make any comment on him but as soon as he is a Chelsea player we will see what kind of future he has.”

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Former Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim’s own goal helped the Blues creep to victory against Portsmouth in what was the first chance to see Andre Villas-Boas’ team in action.

Having played their 3-0 midweek victory over Wycombe behind closed doors, the Blues fielded completely different line-ups in each half as the recently-appointed Portuguese boss gave all his players a chance to gain pre-season fitness at Fratton Park.

Villas-Boas’ side failed to get out of second gear in the first period but took the lead in the seventh minute when Ben Haim calamitously headed into his own net.

Substitute goalkeeper Hilario produced a superb save to stop Luke Varney’s penalty after the break to help Chelsea eke out victory on the south coast.

Villas-Boas chose to start the match with a blend of youth and experience, with the likes of Fernando Torres, Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda lining up alongside youngsters Billy Clifford and Tomas Kalas.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, made three changes to the side that beat Havant & Waterlooville on Monday as Herman Hreidarsson, Ben Haim and Stephen Henderson came in for Jason Pearce, Lewis Stockford and Jamie Ashdown.

Portsmouth came close to breaking the deadlock within the opening three minutes when David Norris burst down the left flank and only a smart block from Ashley Cole prevented the incoming Dave Kitson flicking home at the near post.

But despite the flash of attacking intent, it was the visitors that began the brightest and were given a lead through a bizarre own goal from Ben Haim.

Torres’ cross from the right was mis-hit by Greg Halford as he attempted to clear, resulting in the former Chelsea defender heading into his own net.

Villas-Boas’ troops continued to press after taking the lead, with Torres somehow heading a gilt-edged chance wide before John Obi Mikel fizzed a free-kick straight at goalkeeper Henderson.

Despite Chelsea’s dominance, Portsmouth did muster a few chances of their own and tested Ross Turnbull on several occasions.

The former Middlesbrough keeper was first forced to stop Norris’ bundled header sneaking home, before palming wide Luke Varney’s thumping drive as half-time approached.

Chelsea started the second period with an entirely new XI, while Portsmouth – who could only name five substitutes – brought on Ashdown and Pearce.

The half began at a lackadaisical pace and the only moment of note was 30-yard free-kick from Hreidarsson.

However, the game soon livened up when substitute Hilario was adjudged to have brought down Luke Varney and referee Keith Stroud pointed to the spot.

The former Blackpool striker stepped up confidently but was thwarted by the Portuguese goalkeeper’s outstretched hand down low to his left.

Dave Kitson flashed a shot wide as he looked to atone for Varney’s miss, before Didier Drogba and Yossi Benayoun had efforts at the other end.

Hilario’s good work twice almost came undone after defensive miscommunication saw Varney hare into the box to try and score, but Nathan Chalobah and Jose Bosingwa’s blushes were spared by last-ditch defending on both occasions.

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Benfica have signed Argentina centre-back Ezequiel Garay from Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee.

Both clubs confirmed the news of the 24-year-old’s switch on their websites on Saturday evening. No details were given regarding length of contract.

Garay put pen to paper in Santa Fe, where he is representing Argentina in the Copa America.

The former Newell’s Old Boys defender joined Madrid in 2008 after a three-year stint with Racing Santander.

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Tottenham’s pre-season tour of South Africa started with defeat as George Lebese scored a stoppage-time winner for Kaizer Chiefs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Both sides had their share of chances, with the hosts dominating the first half and Spurs getting back into the match after several changes at the break, but a stalemate was on the cards until the last-gasp winner.

Spurs had an early scare when Tom Huddlestone went down injured in the first minute, but the midfielder was fit to continue after treatment.

Siphiwe Tshabalala twice went close for Chiefs in the opening 15 minutes, while Lehlohonolo Majoro could have opened the scoring on two occasions as Tottenham were placed under heavy pressure before the break.

Harry Redknapp made seven changes for the second period and two of the reinforcements, Gareth Bale and Peter Crouch almost combined to put their side ahead, the England striker only denied by a superb save.

Bale had his chances of his own to put Spurs on the scoreboard, twice missing from tight angles before a 90th-minute volley drew another smart stop.

That left Lebese to steal the limelight moments later when he finished off a quick counter to secure the win.

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Marie Hammarstrom scored a pearler in the 82nd minute to give ten-women Sweden a 2-1 victory over France in the third-place decider.

The midfielder collected possession 30 yards out after a corner was half-cleared, and evaded challenges from Eugenie Le Sommer and Sonia Bompastor before bearing down on goal and driving a fierce shot high past Celine Deville.

Sweden had taken a 29th-minute lead when Lotta Schelin got behind the French defence to reach a long pass from Sara Larsson.

Schelin lifted the ball coolly over goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz, who was injured in the process and had to be replaced by Deville.

Elodie Thomis fired an equaliser for France after 56 minutes, and Sweden had Josefine Oqvist sent off 12 minutes later, but Hammarstrom’s 82nd-minute strike proved decisive.

In the tradition of third-placed play-offs, this was an attacking encounter from both teams and Hammarston’s hammer served as a fine match-winner.

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