Paris (AFP) – Most footballers his age have long since hung up their boots, perhaps moved into management or punditry. But Vitorino Hilton, who turns 43 later this year, is still going strong. Almost exactly 16 years after he first arrived in France, the Brazilian centre-back is set to lead out Montpellier on Saturday as […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona hammered Leganes 5-0 on Thursday to advance to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey and deliver a much-needed boost for new coach Quique Setien. Messi's double, as well as goals from Antoine Griezmann, Clement Lenglet and Arthur Melo rounded off an emphatic win at Camp […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle United have signed England left-back Danny Rose on loan from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season, the northeast club announced Thursday. Rose, 29, is Newcastle's third recruit of the January transfer window following the recent arrivals at St James' Park of Nabil Bentaleb and Valentino Lazaro. […]

Berlin (AFP) – Paco Alcacer on Thursday became the victim of Erling Braut Haaland's spectacular start at Borussia Dortmund as the Spain striker left to join Villarreal, the German club comfirmed. The 26-year-old Alcacer reportedly cost the Spanish league side 30 million euros ($33 million), including bonus payments, after signing a deal until 2025 to […]

London (AFP) – Sheffield United announced Thursday that they had broken their club transfer record to sign Norway midfielder Sander Berge from Genk. The 21-year-old joins the Premier League club from the Belgian champions for a fee that surpasses the £20 million ($26 million, 24 million euros) the Blades paid for Oli McBurnie in pre-season, […]

London (AFP) – Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes completed his move from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United on Thursday, claiming he was inspired to switch to Old Trafford by compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. The 25-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half year contract with an option to extend for a further year. The long-anticipated deal, with an initial fee […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United confirmed on Thursday they had completed the signing of Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon. The 25-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford with an option to extend for a further year. The long-anticipated deal, with an initial fee of around £47 million ($61.2 million), was […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Combative Argentina defender Marcos Rojo has rejoined his home town club Estudiantes on loan from Manchester United, the Superliga side said on Thursday. On its Twitter account, the four-time Copa Libertadores winners posted a picture of Rojo during his previous spell alongside the message: "At home!" Rojo was born in La […]

Berlin (AFP) – Paco Alcacer is set to become the victim of Erling Braut Haaland's spectacular start at Borussia Dortmund with the Spain striker poised to join Villarreal, the German club said Thursday, while Emre Can could sign from Juventus. With the transfer window closing Friday, Spain striker Alcacer is poised to leave fourth-placed Dortmund, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich-bound goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel will return for Schalke at Hertha Berlin on Friday for his first appearance since being suspended for a kung fu-style kick last December during a Bundesliga match. The 23-year-old 'keeper returns after serving a four-match ban for kicking Frankfurt midfielder Mijat Gacinovic during Schalke's 1-0 win late […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona forward Carles Perez has joined Roma in a deal worth 15.5 million euros, the Spanish club announced on Thursday. Roma will pay Barca 1 million euros for an initial loan until June 30. The deal includes a compulsory option to buy in the summer for 11 million euros, with a further […]

London (AFP) – Wolves have secured the signing of Portuguese winger Daniel Podence from Olympiakos on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the club announced on Thursday. Podence, who cost a reported £17 million ($22 million), joins a strong Portuguese contingent at Molineux under manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who is also Portuguese. Wolves are now awaiting international clearance […]

Beijing (AFP) – China announced Thursday the suspension of all domestic football and postponed indefinitely the top-flight Chinese Super League (CSL) season in response to the deadly viral outbreak sweeping the country. The CSL 2020 campaign had been due to kick off on February 22, but was shelved along with "all types of football matches" […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – The decision to quarantine China's national women's team in an Australian hotel because of the deadly coronavirus outbreak "was pre-planned", a top Asian football official said Thursday. The Chinese team is being kept in a Brisbane hotel after arriving in Australia reportedly via Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak and where […]

New Delhi (AFP) – Star striker Ngangom Bala Devi has joined Scottish club Rangers FC to become India's first female player to sign a professional contract. The 29-year-old, who joins from Manipur Police Sports Club after trials in Glasgow in November, signed an 18-month contract with the club subject to international clearance, Rangers said Wednesday. […]