Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Antonio Rudiger rescued Chelsea as the German defender's second goal of the game earned a 2-2 draw against top-four rivals Leicester on Saturday. Rudiger put Chelsea ahead early in the second half at the King Power Stadium before Harvey Barnes and Ben Chilwell scored in quick succession to give Leicester […]

Beijing (AFP) – China has been forced to cancel or put off a host of sporting events due to the coronavirus epidemic, from suspending all football in the country to postponing the first badminton tournament of the 2020 world tour season. The world's most populous country has increasingly become a powerhouse in hosting international sport […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United's late swoop for Nigerian international striker Odion Ighalo was the most striking move of a quiet transfer deadline day for Premier League clubs on Friday. United looked set to miss out on cover for the injured Marcus Rashford when interest in Josh King was rebuffed by Bournemouth, but Ighalo, 30, […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United signed Nigerian international Odion Ighalo on loan until the end of the season from Shanghai Shenhua in a last-minute move before the January transfer window closed on Friday. Ighalo, 30, moved to China in 2017, joining Changchun Yatai from Watford, before moving to Shanghai last year. United are short on […]

London (AFP) – There was little late drama as the January transfer window closed on Friday, but Premier League clubs still spent over £200 million ($261 million) over the past month on new players. AFP Sports loos at five of the biggest moves of the January window. Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United) United's […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday that it would be unfair to compare new signing Bruno Fernandes to Cristiano Ronaldo. The 25-year-old followed the path first made famous by five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo in 2003 when he joined United from Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon on Thursday. […]

Berlin (AFP) – Poland striker Krzysztof Piatek made his Hertha Berlin debut on Friday, just over 24 hours after signing from AC Milan, but failed to break the deadlock in a goalless home draw against Schalke. Under head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Hertha splashed out on two strikers before the transfer window closed, signing Matheus Cunha […]

Rennes (France) (AFP) – Rennes, a surprising third in French Ligue 1, invested in their Champions League push when they took World Cup winner Steven Nzonzi on loan from Roma on Friday. The 31-year-old midfielder came on as a substitute for the last 35 minutes when France beat Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final […]

London (AFP) – There was no late flurry of activity from Premier League clubs on Friday as the January transfer window closed with a whimper. Manchester United's capture on Thursday of Portuguese international midfielder Bruno Fernandes for an initial 55 million euros (£47 million, $61 million) that could rise to 80 million euros in add-ons, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig on Friday signed Spanish left-back Angelino on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season. Having missed out on signing Germany defender Robin Koch from Bundesliga rivals Freiburg, Leipzig turned to Angelino, 23, who has struggled for game-time at Manchester City this season. "We are looking […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund beefed up their midfield on transfer deadline day by signing Germany international Emre Can from Juventus, the Bundesliga club confirmed Friday. The 26-year-old, who can play as a defender or defensive midfielder, will initially join on loan as cover for injured Danish player Thomas Delaney until the end of the […]

Berlin (AFP) – Hertha Berlin snapped up a second striker within 24 hours by signing Brazil u-20 forward Matheus Cunha from Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig on Friday. After recruiting Poland striker Krzysztof Piatek, 24, from AC Milan on Thursday for a reported fee of 23 million euros ($25 million), Hertha have shelled out a further […]

Paris (AFP) – While Premier League clubs have been relatively subdued in the January transfer window, Germany has led the way on the continent, with Borussia Dortmund's signing of Erling Braut Haaland the biggest name snapped up in the Bundesliga's winter shopping spree. Like in England and Scotland, the transfer window closes in Germany, Spain, […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Japan veteran Keisuke Honda has joined Brazilians Botafogo, the player and club announced on social media on Friday. The 33-year-old former AC Milan midfielder left Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem in December less than two months after joining the Eredivisie team and playing just four matches. "Hi, how are you? My […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says his great rival Jose Mourinho should not be judged solely on his recent record as the two managers prepare to go head-to-head again on Sunday. Tottenham have taken 20 points from 12 Premier League games since Mourinho took over from Mauricio Pochettino and remain six points off […]