Singapore (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Thursday laughed off past comments about his unwillingness to spend heavily on a single player, defending the club's big-money signing of Darwin Nunez from Benfica. Speaking in Singapore ahead of Friday's pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace, the Anfield boss was reminded by reporters of a 2018 comment […]

Brisbane (Australia) (AFP) – Leeds manager Jesse Marsch said he liked the energy of his team as they battled past Brisbane Roar 2-1 Thursday, with Colombia winger Luis Sinisterra making his debut. First-half goals from Daniel James and Joe Gelhardt did the damage, before they lost some momentum in the second stanza and did well […]

Istanbul (AFP) – German World Cup winning midfielder Mesut Ozil signed for 2020 Turkish champions Basaksehir on Thursday, a day after he left their rivals Fenerbahce. "Our club has signed a one year contract with the option of another year with Mesut Özil," Basaksehir said in a statement. Basaksehir is known for its close ties […]

Barcelona (AFP) – French international winger Ousmane Dembele, whose contract with Barcelona expired last month, ended six months of speculation about his future by agreeing to 'rejoin' the Catalan side until 2024, the club announced on Thursday. "FC Barcelona and the player Ousmane Dembele have reached an agreement for a contract until 30 June 2024," said a […]

Singapore (AFP) – Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira said Thursday that the club's decision to not bring several first-team regulars on a pre-season tour of Singapore and Australia was not ideal preparation for the upcoming Premier League season. The Eagles face friendlies against Liverpool, Manchester United and Leeds United in Singapore and Australia in the […]

Melbourne (AFP) – Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford said Thursday he was relishing a "fresh start" under new coach Erik ten Hag, keen to put a forgettable last season behind him. The England international had a frustrating and disappointing 2021/22 campaign, dropped by Gareth Southgate from the national team amid a form dip at the […]

Melbourne (AFP) – Manchester United captain Harry Maguire should be available to face Melbourne Victory after missing their 4-0 thumping of Liverpool, manager Erik ten Hag said Thursday while urging his team to use their initiative. The England defender was a conspicuous absence in the first game of the Red Devils' pre-season tour in Bangkok […]

Sheffield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Holders the Netherlands held off a stirring fightback by Portugal to close in on a place in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals with a 3-2 win over Portugal, while Sweden struck late to beat Switzerland 2-1 on Wednesday. The Dutch were without star striker Vivianne Miedema due to a positive case […]

Sheffield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Sweden needed a late winner from substitute Hanna Bennison to close in on a place in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Switzerland in Sheffield on Wednesday. Ranked second in the world, Sweden were among the pre-tournament favourites but have so far struggled to hit top gear […]

London (AFP) – England international Raheem Sterling on Wednesday became Chelsea's first signing since Todd Boehly's consortium bought the club, ending his successful spell at Manchester City. The 27-year-old forward signed a five year contract for a fee reported to be £50 million ($59 million). "England star Raheem Sterling has joined Chelsea from Manchester City […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Mesut Ozil is leaving Fenerbahce after the former Germany international fell out wih the Turkish side's management. "Our club and Mesut Ozil have mutually agreed to end the contract," Fenerbahce announced on Twitter on Wednesday. The 33-year-old midfielder and the club are separating with two years of his deal still to run. […]

Seoul (AFP) – Local hero Son Heung-min delighted his South Korean fans by scoring twice as Tottenham Hotspur beat a K-League select team 6-3 in a wildly entertaining pre-season friendly in Seoul on Wednesday. The English Premier League Golden Boot winner Son and Harry Kane, who bagged two goals, both appeared just for the second […]

Liverpool (AFP) – A leading Liverpool fans' group has called for a "full apology from the French Government" after a French senate enquiry found organisational failings were to blame for the chaos that surrounded the Champions League final. The kick-off for the match on May 28 was delayed as supporters struggled to get through bottlenecks […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Brazil winger Raphinha, who played a pivotal role in Leeds United retaining their place in the Premier League last season, is poised to sign for Barcelona after the clubs agreed to the deal in principle on Wednesday. The 25-year-old will cost the Catalans a reported 55 million euros ($55.3million) — with a […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Raheem Sterling has said he will leave Manchester City "a man" on Wednesday as his transfer to Chelsea edged ever closer. The 27-year-old posted a goodbye message on social media ahead of an expected £50 million ($59 million) move. Sterling announced his exit from the Etihad with a social media […]