Malbranque leaves Les Verts

Steed Malbranque has terminated his contract with St Etienne a day after his representatives denied reports the former Tottenham, Fulham and Sunderland midfielder had retired to care for an ill family member.

Reports emerged from France over the weekend, which were repeated in a number of British publications, claiming the 31-year-old, who joined Les Verts this summer, had decided to quit as his young son was suffering from cancer.