London (AFP) – Poland Under-21 international defender Jan Bednarek became new Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino's first signing on Saturday. The 21-year-old centre-back — who has been on duty for his country at the European Under-21 championships — signed a five-year contract with the Saints paying a reported £5-million ($6.5m, 5.7m euros) fee to Lech Poznan. […]

London (AFP) – Spanish defender Kiko Femenia and Austrian goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann signed for English Premier League side Watford on Saturday. Femenia, 26, is a former Spanish youth international and joins on a four-year contract from La Liga outfit Alaves, whom he helped to finish ninth last season. In all the former winger made 77 […]

Paris (AFP) – Brazilian international defender Marquinhos has penned a three-year contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain that runs until 2022, the Ligue 1 club announced Saturday. "I have always said I'm happy to play for Paris Saint-Germain, and this contract extension is further proof of my commitment to the club," said Marquinhos, who joined PSG […]

Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – Lionel Messi said "I do" to childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo Friday in his Argentine hometown Rosario, where footballers and celebrities including pop singer Shakira had gathered for the "wedding of the century." Following the private ceremony the couple appeared happy and relaxed as they walked a red carpet before hundreds of […]

Kraków (Poland) (AFP) – Mitchell Weiser scored with a looping first-half header to hand Germany the under-21 European Championship title after a 1-0 win over Spain in the southern Polish city of Krakow on Friday. It is Germany's second title in the age group following their triumph in 2009, while Spain failed to expand their […]

Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – Footballers and celebrities including pop singer Shakira gathered Friday for the "wedding of the century" in Lionel Messi's Argentine hometown as the Barcelona superstar prepared to marry his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo. Shakira and her husband, Messi's teammate Gerard Pique, arrived at the airport and headed to the wedding venue to […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan on Friday announced the signing of mercurial Sunderland striker Fabio Borini on a one-year loan deal the Italian giants must make permanent at the end of next season. Borini, who has played for Chelsea, Liverpool and Sunderland as well as Roma, is the second striker to be signed by the […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Spain winger Gerard Deulofeu is returning to Barcelona from English Premier League outfit Everton on a two-year deal, the Spanish giants announced on Friday. "FC Barcelona have activated the buy-back clause for Gerard Deulofeu," the Catalans said in a statement on their website. "In the following days, the terms will be agreed […]

Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – Football and showbiz stars gathered on Friday for the celebrity "wedding of the century" in Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi's Argentine hometown as he prepared to marry his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo. Pop star Shakira and her husband, Messi's teammate Gerard Pique, were expected among the 260 guests, according to sources close […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Friday urged fans to cease their heckling of Arsene Wenger and unite behind the long-serving manager. Despite speculation about his future the 67-year-old French coach finally signed a new two-year contract after the end of last season in which Arsenal finished fifth. "I want the atmosphere […]

London (AFP) – The world's most expensive footballer Paul Pogba says the four terror attacks that have killed dozens and left scores injured in England this year have nothing to do with religion. The 24-year-old Manchester United star — who is Muslim and went on a pilgrimage to Islam's holiest site in Mecca after the […]

London (AFP) – Dutch international Nathan Ake became Premier League side Bournemouth's record signing on Friday as they paid a reported £20 million ($26m, 22.8m euros) to champions Chelsea for his services. The 22-year-old central defender — who is Bournemouth's third signing of the close season following those of Bosnian international goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Shanghai SIPG coach Andre Villas-Boas and Brazilian striker Hulk were suspended for two Chinese Super League games on Friday after they protested against the eight-match ban handed to midfielder Oscar over a mass brawl. Extending what has been a rocky season for China's newly imported football talent, Villas-Boas was banned for making […]

Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – Football and showbiz stars gathered in Argentina for Latin America's celebrity wedding bash of the decade as Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi prepared to marry his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo on Friday. Pop star Shakira and her husband, Messi's teammate Gerard Pique, were expected among the 260 guests, according to media and […]

Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – Celebrity magazines have dubbed brunette mother-of-two Antonella Roccuzzo "the first lady of football" — her man, Lionel Messi, is widely considered the best player on the planet. Showbiz and football stars will attend their wedding on Friday in the couple's hometown of Rosario, Argentina. But friends here in their home city […]