Etcheverry Is Gone From MLS

Marco Etcheverry, one of Major League Soccer’s first international stars, made it official Wednesday that he is leaving the league and his team, D.C. United, after eight seasons.

Etcheverry, a Bolivian international midfielder, was the only remaining player from United’s inaugural season in 1996. During his MLS career, he led United to three MLS Cup titles in three of the league’s first four seasons.

Nicknamed “El Diablo” (the Devil) for his menacing eyes and shoulder-length curly hair, Etcheverry, 33, is the team’s all-time leader in assists (101), games played (191), minutes (16,305) and game-winning assists (25). His assist total is third-highest in league history.

Etcheverry’s departure had been expected, especially after the team drafted 14-year-old Freddy Adu and needed some financial flexibility. Etcheverry’s MLS contract ended after last season.

Etcheverry, a seven-time MLS All-Star, did not reveal any future plans but could return to Bolivia to play or possibly the Middle East, where he reportedly has received several offers.

Adriano Moves

Brazilian striker Adriano has been transferred to Inter Milan from Parma in the Italian league for a reported fee of $25 million.

Inter also sent two players -- Nigerian striker Isah Eliakwu and Romanian Ianis Zicu -- to Parma on loan to complete the deal.

The deal comes a day after Massimo Moratti resigned as Inter’s president when he bowed to increasing pressure from fans disappointed with the team’s play this season.

Kluivert to Arsenal

Dutch international striker Patrick Kluivert has signed a pre-contract agreement to move from FC Barcelona in Spain to Arsenal in England at the end of the season, newspapers in both countries reported.

Kluivert, 27, will join the Gunners for a transfer fee of $2.75 million.

Arsenal also has made another bid to acquire 20-year-old Spanish forward Jose Reyes from Sevilla for a reported $25 million, according to some reports.

Copa del Rey

Raul Gonzalez, Ronaldo and Luis Figo each scored a goal to lead Real Madrid to a 3-0 home victory over Valencia in a first-leg quarterfinal in the Spanish league’s Copa del Rey tournament.

The only blemish for Madrid was the ejection of midfielder David Beckham after he received two yellow cards. Beckham will have to sit out next week’s second leg.

In Wednesday’s other game, Sevilla routed Atletico de Madrid, 4-0.

O’Brien Returns

U.S. national team midfielder John O’Brien, who has been sidelined all season for Ajax Amsterdam in the Dutch league, returned to play his first game.

O’Brien played all 90 minutes at left back for Ajax in a 2-1 victory over Roda JC Kerkrade. The American had been sidelined because of an Achilles’ tendon injury.

O’Brien is expected to play when the U.S. faces the Netherlands in a friendly Feb. 18 at Amsterdam.

Quick Passes

Ajax Amsterdam striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who plays for Sweden’s national team, will sit out as many as eight weeks and undergo surgery for a recurring groin injury....Andre Ooijer, a defender for PSV Eindhoven and the Dutch national team, will sit out several weeks, according to his club, after having surgery on his left knee to remove loose cartilage....Northern Ireland has hired Lawrie Sanchez, a former player for Wimbledon in the English league, to coach its national team....Jean-Francois Jodar of France has been hired to coach the national team and Olympic team for the United Arab Emirates.

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Times wire services contributed to this report.