By JOEY SAMUEL
While the retaining of David Beckham's services remains up in the air for the Los Angeles Galaxy, five other players saw their contract situations get a lot clearer on Friday.
Sean Franklin and Bryan Jordan re-signed with Los Angeles, while Adam Cristman's option was picked up, allowing Bruce Arena to keep key parts of the deep squad that won the 2011 MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles added forward Pat Noonan after selecting him earlier this month in the MLS Re-Entry Draft. Noonan comes to the Galaxy after previously playing with the Seattle Sounders.
The Galaxy also added goalkeeper Nick Noble, who spent the last two seasons in Sweden after being drafted in 2007 by then-Chicago Fire head coach Dave Sarachan, who now serves as an associate head coach with the Galaxy.
Here are some other stories to keep you going this Friday afternoon:
SIMEONE HIRED AS NEW ATLETICO MADRID COACH
A day after sacking Gregorio Manzano, Atletico Madrid have found a replacement at head coach in Diego Simeone. Previously the coach pf Racing Santander, Simeone is a former Argentina international who had two spells at Atletico during his playing career.
Atletico have struggled mightily this season since losing both Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan over the summer. They sit in 10th place in the Spanish Primera Division, and were recently ousted in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey by third-division Albacete, which led to the sacking of Manzano.
CHELSEA INTERESTED IN KRASIC
Serbian winger Milos Krasic, despite being one of the more talented wingers in world football, has had a tough time finding the field this season for Juventus, and now it appears he's ready to move on.
English powerhouse Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Krasic during the winter transfer window, according to his agent. Krasic hasn't appeared for Juventus in two months after being a key part of the team's 2010-11 campaign. Now that Juventus have found success this season, Krasic has apparently become expendable. Several other teams are expected to pursue him.
REVOLUTION SIGN SIMMS
This year's second edition of the MLS Re-Entry Draft saw quite a bit more action than last year's, and some of the players picked are finalizing their contracts with their new teams.
Clyde Simms became one of them Friday, as he officially put pen to paper with the New England Revolution. Simms is expected to bring depth at midfield to a team that finished in last place in the Eastern Conference in 2011.
Fellow draftees Danleigh Borman and Nate Jaqua have yet to sign with the Revs, but they have been extended offers.
LINDPERE DRAWS PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST
Joel Lindpere has been one of the New York Red Bulls' most consistent performers over the last two seasons, and it looks like some big teams have taken notice.
The Estonian winger told one Norwegian news outlet that there is interest from both Premier League and Championship teams in signing him. The Red Bulls, however, are reluctant to sell him, as he has been a key part of their squad.
In July, it was Lindpere's goal that gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium, a result that helped New York capture the Emirates Cup. That performance may have gone a long way towards attracting European suitors.