London (AFP) – Leeds have completed the signing of fullback Junior Firpo from Barcelona, the two clubs announced on Tuesday. Leeds boasted on their website that they had "beaten off competition from a number of clubs to secure the services of the 24-year-old." The Premier League club said that, after completing quarantine and a medical, […]

Marseille (AFP) – Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, who spent last year at Hertha Berlin, has joined Marseille on loan, the French Ligue 1 club announced on Tuesday. Masreille signed the 22-year-old Frenchman on a one-year deal with an option to buy. Guendouzi made his Ligue 1 debut for Lorient in 2016 before joining Arsenal two […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich said on Tuesday that they have loaned New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh to second tier side Jahn Regensburg for the coming season. The 22-year-old All Whites attacking midfielder broke into the Bayern team from the reserves in early 2019-20, making two appearances in Germany's top flight. Last season, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Eintracht Frankfurt have boosted their squad for next season by signing Spanish teenager Enrique Herrero Garcia as well as Colombia striker Rafael Borre, a replacement for top scorer Andre Silva. Herrero, 16, has signed on a four-year contract from Villarreal Frankfurt confirmed Tuesday. "Enrique is a player with great potential and an […]

London (AFP) – Harry Maguire insists he never feared for his England career after a turbulent year on and off the pitch that will see him aim to make amends against Denmark in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 on Wednesday. Just 11 months ago, the Manchester United captain found himself locked up in a Greek […]

London (AFP) – England have eased into their first European Championship semi-final for 25 years at Euro 2020 and will face Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday for a place in the final. Manager Gareth Southgate has been able to regularly change his team, with a plethora of attacking talent at his disposal. Here, AFP Sport […]

Rome (AFP) – Thrust into the starting line-up after Christian Eriksen's near-fatal cardiac arrest, Mikkel Damsgaard has emerged as Denmark's revelation of Euro 2020, helping his country resurrect a campaign that was almost over before it started. Nicknamed 'Damsinho', the gifted Damsgaard, whose flamboyant talent has caught the eye of Europe's elite, embodies the enthusiasm […]

London (AFP) – Italy and Spain meet in a blockbuster first semi-final at Euro 2020 before an expected crowd of 60,000 at Wembley on Tuesday as anticipation builds ahead of host nation England's last-four tie against Denmark. Tuesday's game is the latest episode in a burgeoning rivalry between Italy and Spain with the nations meeting […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Star forward Neymar set up Lucas Paqueta to score the only goal as hosts Brazil beat Peru 1-0 on Monday to qualify for the Copa America final. The semi-final was a repeat of the last final, two years ago, when a Brazil team shorn of the injured Neymar also triumphed on […]

The irony of the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) discussion is that team accolades are used as a deciding factor to display individual greatness. Many people believe that Lionel Messi cannot be considered the best soccer player who ever lived because he has never won a major trophy with Argentina. His longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, […]

London (AFP) – Spain coach Luis Enrique is hoping Wembley will be filled by Spanish and Italian expatriates for Tuesday's Euro 2020 semi-final after fans travelling to England were offered no exemption from strict quarantine rules. A crowd of 60,000 will be permitted for both semi-finals and the final at the home of English football […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – French champions Lille announced on Monday the appointment of Jocelyn Gourvennec, former coach of Bordeaux and Guingamp, as their new head coach. The 49-year-old succeeds Chrisophe Galtier, who left the club for Nice just two days after securing the Ligue 1 title. "Lille is delighted with the arrival of Jocelyn Gourvennec," […]

London (AFP) – Harry Maguire says England have more confidence heading into Wednesday's Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark than when they faltered at the last four of the World Cup three years ago. Gareth Southgate's men lost 2-1 to Croatia in 2018 despite taking an early lead in Moscow. Now on home soil, with 60,000 […]

Paris (AFP) – France midfielder Ousmane Dembele on Monday apologised after a video emerged on social media of him appearing to denigrate Asian hotel employees on a tour of Japan by his club Barcelona. Dembele offered his "sincere apologies" after a 42-second clip, which he appeared to have made on Snapchat in 2019, was leaked […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund are reportedly planning to spend some of the 85 million euros ($100 million) they are set to receive for Jadon Sancho on Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven. Sancho, 21, is set to leave Dortmund, who have agreed a transfer with Premier League giants Manchester United. According […]