London (AFP) – Croatian teenager Nikola Vlasic said his move to English Premier league side Everton on Thursday from Hajduk Split for a reported £10 million (11mn euros, $13mn) is the "opportunity of a lifetime". The highly-rated 19-year-old — who made his senior international debut earlier this year — signed a five year contract and […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Livewire Emmanuel Okwi scored on 51 minutes to give Uganda a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Kampala Thursday and top place in a World Cup Africa zone qualifying group. Tanzania-based Okwi had been a constant menace down the right wing before scoring the only goal on a hot afternoon in the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Stoke City forward Bojan Krkic returned to La Liga on a one-year loan deal with Alaves on Thursday. "Alaves have finalised the incorporation of Bojan Krkic, a talented and skilled forward with experience in the biggest leagues in the world," Alaves said in a statement. Bojan won three La Liga titles and […]

Paris (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe, at just 18 years old, is destined for greatness after joining Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday following a whirlwind first full season at Monaco. The teen sensation arrives at PSG initially on loan with an option to buy in a deal reportedly worth up to 180 million euros ($214 million), catapulting […]

Paris (AFP) – French teen sensation Kylian Mbappe joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco on a season-long loan Thursday, just hours before the transfer deadline in a deal that makes him the second most expensive footballer in history. "Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the immediate arrival of Kylian Mbappe," the club wrote on its website. […]

London (AFP) – Dutch defender Marvin Zeegelaar signed for Premier League side Watford on Thursday from Sporting Lisbon and resolved a problem for manager Marco Silva. The 27-year-old — who had been at Sporting Lisbon for just a season — signed a four year contract with the Hornets for an undisclosed fee. Silva had been […]

Paris (AFP) – France international striker Kylian Mbappe joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco on a season-long loan Thursday, just hours before the transfer deadline in a deal that could make him the second most expensive footballer in history. "Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the immediate arrival of Kylian Mbappe," the club wrote on its […]

Asuncion (AFP) – Paraguay will join in the shared bid by its neighbors Argentina and Uruguay to host the 2030 World Cup, the country's president Horacio Cartes said on Thursday. Uruguay and Argentina had already said they will officially launch their joint proposal at a ceremony involving the country's two leaders in October. Uruguay hosted […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan beat Australia Thursday to qualify for their sixth successive World Cup but South Korea missed a golden opportunity to join them in Russia when they could only draw against 10-man Iran. The goalless draw in Seoul means South Korea's hopes of qualifying from Group A for their ninth successive finals […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Livewire Emmanuel Okwi scored on 51 minutes to give Uganda a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Kampala Thursday and top place in a World Cup Africa zone qualifying group. Tanzania-based Okwi had been a constant menace down the right wing before scoring the only goal on a hot afternoon in the […]

Seoul (AFP) – South Korea's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup were left hanging in the balance after a 0-0 draw against 10-man Iran in Seoul Thursday when a win would have booked their ticket for Russia 2018. Syria's 3-1 victory over Qatar coupled with China's 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Thursday's other Group […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – Omar Kharbin struck twice as war-torn Syria gave their 2018 World Cup dreams a huge boost with a 3-1 win over Qatar in Melaka, Malaysia, on Tuesday. The result propelled Syria, forced to play all their home games in Malaysia because of the civil war back home, to third position in Group A and […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan's beleaguered head coach Vahid Halilhodzic will live to fight another day after his side qualified for their sixth straight World Cup with a 2-0 home win over Australia. Defeat by the Asian Cup holders could have cost him his job, but the firebrand Franco-Bosnian dodged a bullet thanks to a […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi were on target as Japan beat Australia 2-0 at home Thursday to qualify for their sixth successive World Cup. Asano steered home a left-foot volley four minutes before half-time and Ideguchi sealed the victory with a stunning long-range strike after 82 minutes as Japan became the […]

Berlin (AFP) – German league side Wolfsburg has signed Belgium international striker Divock Origi from Liverpool on a year-long loan transfer. The Premier League club confirmed the clubs have reached a deal after the 22-year-old made just one appearance for the Reds this season under Jurgen Klopp. Origi, who signed for the Reds from Lille […]