London (AFP) – Japan defender Maya Yoshida signed a new three-year contract with Southampton on Thursday that ties him to the Premier League club until 2020. Yoshida has been an important part of the club's progress since he arrived at St Mary's in 2012 and the new deal is a reward for his contribution. Last […]

London (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic has rejoined Manchester United on a one-year contract after the Swedish star's spell with the Premier League side was curtailed by a serious knee injury last season. Ibrahimovic missed the final weeks of United's campaign after suffering ligament damage in a Europa League clash against Anderlecht in April. But United […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate has paid tribute to Wayne Rooney's "fantastic career" after the Everton forward retired from international duty. Rooney announced on Wednesday that he was bringing down the curtain on his England era after scoring 53 goals in 119 appearances. Southgate had called Rooney to offer him a place in […]

Paris (AFP) – Teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, reportedly on the verge of a move to Paris Saint-Germain, was on Thursday named in France's squad for World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and Luxembourg. While 18-year-old Monaco star Mbappe has been picked, coach Didier Deschamps has omitted Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele, who is embroiled in his […]

London (AFP) – Premier League clubs' spending has set a new record for a single transfer window as the historically lavish spree reached £1.17 billion ($1.57 billion, 1.27 billion euros) on Thursday. With a week to go until the window closes, Deloitte's Sports Business Group say the 20 English top tier teams have shattered the […]

Paris (AFP) – FIFA said Tursday it was investigating Brazilian superstar Neymar's complaint over an unpaid loyalty bonus from Barcelona in the increasingly bitter feud with his former club since his move to Paris Saint-Germain. A FIFA spokesman said the complaint was "pending and being investigated" and he could not comment any further. Barcelona are […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has revealed unsettled Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez could return to action in this weekend's Premier League clash at Liverpool. Sanchez has just one year remaining on his current Arsenal contract and is keen to leave the Emirates Stadium. He could walk away for free at the end of this season […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund have signed an "exclusive partnership" with Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng as the Bundesliga club attempt to expand their footprint in the Asian country. Dortmund are making a big push to attract new fans in the world's most populous nation and on Wednesday sealed the cooperation agreement with Shandong, […]

London (AFP) – While Wayne Rooney will never silence the cynics who carp about his lack of silverware in an England shirt, the astonishing array of records set by the striker ensure his place as one of his country's all-time greats. Rooney's announcement of his retirement from the international stage on Wednesday brought the curtain […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain and Brazilian superstar Neymar face their "first big test" of the season on Friday at home to Saint-Etienne as both sides hunt a fourth straight win. Neymar dazzled in his Parc des Princes debut last weekend, scoring twice as he tormented Toulouse defenders throughout a crushing 6-2 victory, but Saint-Etienne […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp voiced hope that guiding his team back into the Champions League will strengthen his hand in transfer talks over the last week of the trading window. Liverpool secured a place in the group stage for only the second time since 2010 after a 4-2 home win over Hoffenheim […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar will be denied an immediate return to Barcelona when the Champions League draw is made in Monaco on Thursday. Both his Paris Saint-Germain team and the Catalan giants he left earlier this month for a world record 222 million euros ($264m) have been placed in pot two — amongst the second […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Emre Can struck twice as Liverpool convincingly defeated Hoffenheim 4-2 at Anfield on Wednesday to reach the Champions League group phase for only the second time since 2010. Germany midfielder Can found the net twice in the opening 21 minutes, either side of Mohamed Salah's first Anfield goal following his move from […]

Madrid (AFP) – France international forward Antoine Griezmann was handed a two-game ban by the Spanish Football Federation on Wednesday after he was sent off at the weekend for insulting the referee. The 26-year-old was dismissed during Atletico Madrid's 2-2 draw at Gerona on Saturday during the opening weekend of the La Liga season. He […]

London (AFP) – England's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney announced on Wednesday he is retiring from international football with immediate effect after manager Gareth Southgate tried to recall him to the squad. The 31-year-old — scorer of 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country — told Southgate of his decision during a phone conversation on […]