Schweinsteiger Joins United For “New Experience”
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has explained
his reasons for leaving boyhood club for Premier League side Manchester United.
The two clubs reached an agreement for the 30-year-old on Saturday in a
deal worth a reported £12 million, as the German international departs from the
club he joined as a youth product in 1998. And in an emotional open letter to
the Bayern fans, Schweinsteiger has explained his move to England. “Dear
fans,” he wrote on Twitter.”After 17 incredible years at FC Bayern, 15 national
titles, winning the historical triple and uncountable other highlights that I
was fortunate enough to experience with my incredible team, all you exceptional
fans and the co-workers at Sabener Strasse and Allianz Arena, I have decided to
take a new career step. This decision was very hard to make because you and FCB
have, are and will always be an extremely important part of my life.
Nevertheless, I would like to again gain experience at a new club. My
destination is Manchester United. I hope you understand my decision. No one can
take away the incredible journey we had together. #MiaSanMia.” The
experienced veteran won eight Bundesliga titles, seven German Cups and the
2012/13 Champions League crown with the Bavarians since his first team debut in
2002.
French champions
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed their interest in Manchester United winger
Angel Di Maria, while insisting that striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will remain in
France. United’s record signing failed to deliver last season, netting just
four goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, and has been linked to
various European clubs, including French champions PSG, who confirmed their
interest in the Argentine ace. Asked by L’Equipe if the Di Maria is a player he
admires, coach Laurent Blanc replied, “Yes. We have our priorities… But to
strengthen such a team you must target guys who are at big clubs and who are
not easy to prise away. That’s hardest for PSG. Di Maria, he’s good. We have
more freedom, but it remains a difficult project for us because we’re not alone
in wanting him. When you see the financial power of the English clubs, they are
attacking everyone. Competition is very, very tough. Don’t forget, Manchester
United paid a fortune to sign him. For us to work effectively, we have to think
of other solutions. We must be proactive.” Meanwhile, Swedish striker Zlatan
Ibrahimovic has been linked to a return to former Italian club AC Milan, yet
Blanc insists he will remain in the French capital next season. “There was
never any doubt of him staying!” he said. “I don’t attach any importance to
rumours. For us it was very clear: Ibra was always part of the 2015-2016 squad.”
Chelsea have signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Stoke City
on a four-year contract for a reported £8 million. The
Bosnia-Hercegovina international will battle Thibaut Courtois for the number
one jersey at Stamford Bridge. Begovic is the champions’ second signing of the
summer following the arrival of Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan from
Monaco. Begovic joined Stoke from Portsmouth in 2010, and had a year left on
his previous deal with the Potters. The Blues sold long-serving keeper Petr
Cech to Premier League rivals Arsenal earlier this month.
Arsenal midfielder
Mikel Arteta has signed a new one-year contract with the club. Arteta, who
joined the Gunners in 2011, only made 11 starts in all competitions last season
as he struggled with injury. However, the 33-year-old has been kept on by
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger. “He will stay with us for one more year
because he has extended his contract,” Wenger told the club’s official
website. “He’s one of the leaders in the club because he’s the captain of
the team. I expect him to contribute much more than last season but he also
faces a battle. With the number of games we have ahead, we could use his
experience, his desire and his quality as it will be vital for next
season.”
German defender Mats
Hummels is “honoured” by Manchester United’s interest but says he will not
leave Borussia Dortmund this year. The 26-year-old, who has been heavily
linked with a move to United, has two years left on his contract with BVB. “There
have always been rumours about almost every one of our players, but I decided
not to make the move this year,” Hummels told reporters in Singapore. “Of
course when the big clubs are interested, and Manchester United is one of the
biggest clubs in the world, it’s an honour. But I decided I wanted to stay
here. I’ve been at Dortmund for a very long time, I haven’t set a limit. It’s
hard to say what future brings, but I’m still here after seven years,”
concluded the former Bayern Munich man.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas
has bid an emotional farewell to his Spanish club after confirming he will be
joining Portuguese side FC Porto. The 34-year-old, who endured a
less-than-consistent season last campaign, had long-since been rumoured to be
leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, and confirmed the news after calling a press
conference on Sunday. “I have come to this great stadium today to say
goodbye to all of you,” he said. “Especially to the Madrid fans. As
of Saturday I’m no longer a Real Madrid player, now I’ll be a Porto player. I
am moving to Porto for many reasons. Firstly I am joining Porto because of the
excitement that the coach has transmitted to me. Secondly, because of their
affection – they have won me over. I’ll do everything I can to not disappoint
them and fight as hard as possible to win as many titles as I possibly can
there.” Casillas has spent 25 years with the La Liga heavyweights, and was
emotional in his speech as he thanked all those involved at the Galaticos. “This
club didn’t just teach me how to be a sportsman, it taught me how to be a
person,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from all of my coaches. They
have been a fundamental part of my development and my career. Every day we’ve
been forming a part of Real Madrid and they’ve always supported me. I want to
say thank you to my parents and all my family. Thank you to the Madrid fans for
their unconditional support, helping me lift every cup, every triumph, for
being with me in the good moments and the bad moments. For giving me a hand
when I needed lifting up. I don’t want to be remembered as a good goalkeeper or
a bad goalkeeper, I just want to be remembered as a good person. Thank you.
Thank you. A thousand thank yous. Wherever I go, I will always shout ‘Hala
Madrid!’ I’m sure in the future we’ll see each other. I’m not going to say
goodbye, because it’s not goodbye. I hope to see you soon. Thank you, to all of
you.” During his 15 years with the first team, Casillas won five La Liga
titles, two Spanish Cups, two European Super Cups, four Spanish Super Cups and
lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy on three occasions.
Two-time Fifa World Player of the Year Ronaldinho has signed
for Brazilian side Fluminense. The 35-year-old former Barcelona and
AC Milan midfielder was released from his contract with Mexican side Queretaro
last month. Big-spending Turkish side Antalyaspor – who have signed Samuel
Eto’o – claimed at the end of June that the Brazilian had agreed personal terms
with them, but the decorated star has apparently had a change of heart. Ronaldinho
said he wants to try to win the Brazilian League, one of the few titles he
still hasn’t won in his glittering career. “It was one of the things that
motivated me to return to Brazil, to try to win a trophy that I still don’t
have,” he said. Ronaldinho will join former Brazil striker Fred as well as
highly rated youngsters Gerson and Marlon at Fluminense.
Orlando City are
reportedly ready to smash the MLS salary record to bring Manchester United
striker Javier Hernandez to the MLS. ‘Chicharito’ has fallen down the
pecking order at United and spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, with a
number of European clubs and other ambitious MLS clubs also interested. Orlando
are believed to be ready to make the Mexico international the highest-paid
player in the MLS on a salary of $10-million a year to join former AC Milan and
Real Madrid attacker Kaka at the club. “Many clubs in MLS are working to have
this guy,” Orlando owner Flavio Augusto told reporters. “But we are at the
beginning of the conversation and, as you know, the less we talk about the
situation, the better, because we are in the middle of negotiations. We hope in
one or two weeks to be ready to talk about Chicharito in a different way.” MLS
clubs are allowed to sign three Designated Players who can earn far above the
player salary cap of around $430 000 a year. The average players earn between
$50 000 and $250 000 a year.
Fenerbahce have completed the signing of Robin van Persie
from Manchester United. Van Persie’s transfer fee in rumoured to be
4.7 million euros (£3.4m, $5.2m). Van Persie, 31, made 105 appearances and
scored 58 goals during his three years at Manchester United from August 2012. But
his last season was marred by an ankle ligament injury and speculation of
tension between himself and Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, who had
guided Van Persie and his countrymen to third place in the World Cup. The
Istanbul-based outfit last week recruited Portuguese winger Nani from the Red
Devils.
Newcastle have signed
Netherlands international Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV Eindhoven. The
Magpies are believed to have forked out £14.5million for the midfielder, making
him the club’s third most expensive signing after retired England
internationals Alan Shearer and Michael Owen. Wijnaldum joins compatriots Tim
Krul, Daryl Janmaat, Vurnon Anita and Siem de Jong at St Jame’s Park.
Aston Villa have
signed Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye from Lille. The 25-year-old, who
has 24 international caps, has penned a four-year deal with the Villans. Gueye
played 176 games in Ligue 1 over the past five seasons. “I’m really
pleased to have brought Idrissa on board,” Villa manager Tim Sherwood told
the club’s official website. “He’s been one of the best young midfielders
in France for the last few seasons and there were a lot of teams trying to sign
him this summer. I believe we are signing a player who is hungry to succeed, is
entering what should be his best years and is perfectly suited to the Premier
League.”
Liverpool legend
Steven Gerrard has revealed his disappointment over the manner in which Raheem
Sterling has conducted himself in recent months. The Reds youngster has
been in the spotlight ever since rejecting a new deal with his Anfield club as
he reportedly wanted a higher pay cheque, with latest reports suggesting he
asked not to be included in Liverpool’s preseason tour in an attempt to leave
the club. Having missed training on Thursday for allegedly taking ill, his
former captain Gerrard – now at LA Galaxy – has voiced his opinion over the
20-year-old’s antics. “I’m not happy with all that carry-on and I don’t
think there’s any need for it,” he told Sky Sports News regarding the
player’s situation with Liverpool’s management. “They all need to be men
about the situation. Raheem needs to go in and speak to the owners and to
Brendan [Rodgers] himself, tell them what he wants and go about it that way.
You don’t have to throw illnesses in and refuse to go on tour. There are
millions and millions of Liverpool fans around the world who are itching to see
Raheem Sterling in a Liverpool kit. So I don’t think it’s fair on them if he is
behaving like that.” Gerrard feels it would be best for the talent to remain on
Merseyside, yet reveals he has been left disappointed at the situation that has
clouded his former teammate’s future. “He’s not flavour of the month with
Liverpool fans at the moment, I can’t blame them for it, they’ve shown him
great support and they all believe the best place for him to be is at Liverpool
and I firmly believe that as well,” Gerrard continued. “It is very difficult
for me to support Raheem and the people around him for what they are trying to
do with his contract and his career at a young age. I am slightly disappointed
in the that situation, in how far it’s gone and what it’s come to, because I
can see no other way, only out for him at the moment.”
Brazil legend Rivaldo
marked his comeback from retirement with victory – yet only after he was
substituted off. The 43-year-old Selecao star last month announced he would
be returning to the pitch to help Brazil’s Serie B club Mogi Mirim – which he
owns – fight their way out of the relegation zone. True to his word, the 2002
World Cup winner started himself in a league match against Nautico on Tuesday,
returning to the football field for the first time in 15 months. Rivaldo had a
free-kick saved and hit a shot from range well wide, before being substituted
in the 68th minute with his side 1-0 down. Yet Mogo Mirim were level two
minutes later as Serginho equalised before netting the winner in the 88th
minute as his side celebrated their first win of the season. However, they
still remain bottom of the Brazilian first division with just six points from
their first 11 games. Rivaldo was pleased with his efforts in his side’s win as
they look to climb up the standings. “After one year and three months, I
started training back again and went out to play at a match after just 20 days
and that inspires any younger player,” he said. “I helped the team get out of
this predicament. We are still in a difficult situation and we are doing our
best to get out of it.”
Tottenham have
completed the signing of defender Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid. The
Belgium international, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, has penned
a five-year contract in north London. The 26-year-old is Spurs’ third recruit
of the summer after fellow defenders Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier.
New Barcelona signing
Arda Turan is relishing the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi, who he
considers to be the best player in history. Turan, 28, completed a €41
million move to Barca from Atletico Madrid on Monday. The Turkish attacker won
five trophies in a four-year spell at the Vicente Calderon. “Messi is
simply the best ever, it’s an honour to wear the same shirt and play alongside
him. My idol was always Maradona but the current player that I idolise is
Iniesta,” Turan said. “Being part of Barcelona means a lot. It is my
dream, a reward for the work that I have culminated through my career. It means
everything. I’m ready for the challenge of playing at Barca. I think a lot
about my possibilities and those of my team-mates. I’m sure they will help me
adapt. Clearly Barca do things differently to other clubs. As players, these
values, on and off the pitch, are the systems, the aspects, the style of
play…In short, the club is a team on and off the pitch. “My goals are not
individual but that of the team, these players and the system. I’m sure I can
do more and improve my stats. The important thing is to integrate into the team
and the system of Luis Enrique.”
Ghana captain Asamoah
Gyan is set to become one of the highest paid footballers in the world as he
looks set to join Chinese club Shanghai SIPG. The 29-year-old has spent the
last four years at Emirati champions Al Ain, scoring 95 goals in 83 matches,
but is now on the brink of joining the Chinese Super League club managed by
former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. Gyan was reportedly earning £160,000
a week at Al Ain, and according to Xinhua news agency Sport 360, the former
Udinese and Sunderland striker will receive an increase of £67 000 a week,
making his weekly earnings £227 000. This figure puts Gyan in the top ten
footballer salaries in the world, but is a far cry from top-earner Cristiano
Ronaldo and second-placed Lionel Messi, reportedly (though figures vary) on
£650 000 and £645 000-a-week respectively.
Former Chelsea and
Manchester City dead-ball specialist Frank Lampard says new teammate Andrea
Pirlo can have priority over free-kicks at New York City FC. The
37-year-old was on Tuesday officially unveiled by his new MLS team, joining big
name stars David Villa and Pirlo in the ‘Big Apple’. Both are known for their
superb abilities in dead-ball situations, and Lampard says he is honoured to be
playing alongside the star Spanish striker and Italian midfielder. “David
and Andrea are at the top of the list, I’m a lucky man to be in the same squad
as them,” he told reporters at his unveiling. “I’ve been watching all
the games. I know every player and how they play. It will be a pleasure to play
with them every day.” Lampard feels Pirlo is the best at taking free-kicks,
saying the veteran Italian can take the first one that comes the team’s way. “I
think Pirlo is the best at getting his ball to dip and dive off the free kick,”
the English midfielder said. “He can have the first one!”
Manchester United have completed the signing of midfielder
Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton. Schneiderlin, 25, has penned a
four-year contract with the club with the option of a further year. The France international
scored 15 times in 253 outings for the Saints since his debut in 2008. Schneiderlin
told his new team’s website: “I am delighted to be a Manchester United
player. Once I learned that United were interested in signing me, it was a very
easy decision to make. I have enjoyed seven very happy years with Southampton
and it’s a club that will always be in my heart. But the chance to be part of
this squad to help this great club be successful was too good to miss. I’m
excited to be starting that journey on our trip to the USA. I know what
Manchester United means to fans all over the world and I’m looking forward to
experiencing that.” United manager Louis van Gaal added: “Morgan is a
very talented player with great energy and ability. His skills will complement
the players that we already have and I am very pleased that we have been able
to complete this deal before the tour to the United States. That training camp
will be very important in our preparations for the new season and gives Morgan
and the other players a chance to show our fans what they can achieve
together.”
Liverpool started
their preseason training without striker Mario Balotelli, who was absent
following the death of his adopted father. The 24-year-old was given
compassionate leave to return to Italy for the funeral of Francesco Balotelli,
who passed on following a lengthy illness. Francesco and wife Silvia adopted
Mario, who was born to Ghanaian immigrants in Palermo, when he was put into
foster care at the age of three. He grew up in the Balotelli household in the
northern Italian town of Concesio, spending his youth career at Lumezzane
before being snapped up by Inter Milan, and then going on to feature for
Manchester City, AC Milan and now Liverpool.
Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco have secured the services of AC
Milan winger Stephan El Shaarawy. The 22-year-old joins the
Principality club on a one year loan deal, with a mandatory option to buy. ‘The
Pharaoh’ leaves his Italian club after four years, having joined from Genoa as
a youth product. Despite an injury-blighted campaign last season, El Shaarawy has
made 102 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring 27 goals, his most fruitful
season coming two years ago when he netted 19 goals in all competitions. However,
Milan have decided to restructure their side following a disastrous tenth-place
finish last season, bringing in the likes of attacking players Carlos Bacca and
Luiz Adriano, therefore allowing their young talisman to leave.
Premier League club
Leicester City have appointed Italian tactician Claudio Ranieri as their new
head coach. The experienced coach replaces Nigel Pearson, who was sacked
last month after four years at the helm, despite saving the Foxes from
relegation last season. Ranieri revealed his delight at joining the Premier
League outfit. “I’m so glad to be here in a club with such a great tradition as
Leicester City,” Ranieri told the club’s official website. “I have worked
at many great clubs, in many top leagues, but since I left Chelsea I have
dreamt of another chance to work in the best league in the world again. I wish
to thank the owner, his son and all the executives of the club for the
opportunity they are giving me. Now I’ve only one way for returning their
trust: squeeze all my energies to getting the best results for the team.” The
63-year-old has taken charge of various top sides across Europe including
Chelsea, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Roma, Inter and Monaco.
The Federated States
of Micronesia lost their last Pacific Games encounter 46-0 to Vanuatu, and have
now conceded 114 goals in their last three games, and scored none. Micronesia
were no match for their counterparts, ranked 200th in the latest Fifa rankings
themselves, with Jean Kaltak netting 16 goals in the lopsided victory. The loss
follows a 38-0 defeat to Fiji and a 30-0 loss to Tahiti in their other group
matches, as Micronesia exited the competition, hosted in Papua New Guinea,
without scoring a goal. Victors Vanuata were also dumped out of the tournament
after group opponents Fiji and Tahiti played out a goalless draw. However, as
the Pacific Games are part of the Olympic qualifiers for Rio 2016 and Tahiti
are not a member of the International Olympic Committee, Vanuatu still went
through to the Olympic play-offs and now face New Zealand in the semi-finals. The
46-0 scoreline is not a world record for full international matches however, as
the Pacific Games is an U-23 tournament. The biggest win in international
football thus remains the 31-0 scoreline when Australia beat American Samoa in
a 2002 World Cup qualifier in 2001.
Ghana star, Asamoah Gyan is set to become one
of the world’s highest-paid players – here is the current top 10 and where he
would break into it. Gyan is reportedly close to moving from UAE club Al
Ain to Chinese side Shanghai SIPG. According to reports, the 29-year-old will
reportedly earn a whopping £227 000 per week at the side, managed by former
England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. With this figure, he would end up in eighth
place among the planet’s current best earners.
Here the top 10 earners (wages are reported salaries before
tax):
1) Cristiano Ronaldo – £650 000 (R12.5 million)
2) Lionel Messi – £645 000 (R12.4 million)
3) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – £410 000 (R7.9 million)
4) Gareth Bale – £320 000 (R6.2 million)
5) James Rodriguez – £305 000 (R5.9 million)
6) Wayne Rooney – £250 000 (R4.8 million)
7) Robin van Persie – £250 000 (R4.8 million)
8) Sergio Aguero – £220 000 (R4.2 million)
9) Yaya Toure – £210 000 (R4 million)
10) Luis Suarez – £205 000 (R3.9 million)
Premier League club
Crystal Palace on Friday confirmed the signing of French international Yohan
Cabaye form Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. “Crystal Palace Football
Club are delighted to confirm the signing of French international midfielder
Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint Germain for a club record fee, subject to
international clearance,” read a statement on the club’s official website. The
29-year-old joined on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, having spent
just a year-and-a-half in Paris after signing from Newcastle United for
approximately £20 million in January 2014. Cabaye, who is now re-united with
Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park having scored 18 goals in 93 appearances under the
manager in his three years with the Magpies, revealed his delight in returning
to England. “I’m happy to be here,” he told his new club’s website. “I’ve been
waiting for the decision, had the medical and now I can’t wait to focus on my
new team, a new season and my new life. I wanted to come and play for Palace
because there are some really strong players here. They finished very well last
season and I think they can compete to get into the top eight. I also know the gaffer and have worked with
him before and I’m confident with him. I want to do my best for him because
he’s made a big effort to get me to come here, as well as the Chairman, so I
have to say a big thank you to both of them.” Cabaye has won 34 caps for
France, having featured for les Bleus at the Euro 2012 and 2014 World Cup
tournaments. The Frenchman may travel with his new club to South Africa at the
end of the month, with Palace involved in the preseason Cape Town Cup which
includes PSL duo SuperSport United and Ajax Cape Town, as well as Portuguese
club Sporting Lisbon.
Argentina striker Carlos Tevez received a hero’s welcome
after being presented in front of the Boca Juniors faithful on Monday night.The
31-year-old returns to the club 11 years after his departure, having spent
three years in their first team after graduating from the club’s youth
structures. An estimated 40 000 fans filled the Bombonera Stadium on Monday
night for Tevez’s unveiling, with the former Juventus, Manchester City and
Manchester United striker asking his club prior to his presentation that the
entrance fee for fans be a donation of a non-perishable food item for the
‘Bichito de Luz’ poor neighbourhood, where he was born. Tevez revealed his
delight at returning home to Argentina, having won five league titles in Europe,
along with the 2007/08 Champions League. “When I left Boca I was 20 years
old,” he said. “Now, at 31, I’m bigger, more experienced, and I need
to be an example for the youngest players. I’m back in my best form at the
moment. I have been thinking about coming back here for a year.” Tevez is set
to play his first match against Quilmes on Saturday and is raring to go, while
also stating that he did not return to replace another Boca Juniors legend Juan
Roman Riquelme. “Juan Roman Riquelme is my friend. He is the biggest – the
idol of Boca. I’m here to write my story, not to replace him.” Tevez
scored 50 goals in 96 matches for former club Juventus, helping them to the league
and Cup double in Italy last season.
Juan Roman Riquelme has
said that his playing days are over and has criticised Boca Juniors, the club
he supports and where he first caught everyone’s eye. On the rumours of a
potential return to football at the age of 37, Riquelme stressed: “Am I
going to return? Where? What to? I’ve done everything I wanted. I’ve been very
happy as a player. I’m no longer a professional player. I retired”. When
analysing the current state of affairs with ‘Los Xeneizes’, the former
Argentina international said: “You must win the important games and Boca
lost them all this year. It was the worst season in the last 20 years because
River eliminated them twice”. “I felt really embarrassed by the way
we were knocked out. The people who are running the club must provide security
to the opposition players and they didn’t receive it”, he added in another
hard attack on the directors of Boca Juniors. “As a fan I’m very happy to
be able to enjoy watching Carlitos play for Boca”, Riquelme said in
relation to the return of Carlos Tevez.
Barcelona defender
Dani Alves has criticised Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo over his desire
for personal glory. Ronaldo scored a pesonal-best of 61 goals despite
Madrid not winning any silverware last season, while Lionel Messi scored 58
goals in a treble-winning campaign with Barca. Speaking to ESPN Brazil, the
Brazilian international criticised the 30-year old Portguese attacker during a
comparison with Messi. “”Messi is much better than Cristiano
Ronaldo,” Alves said. “Messi has an influence on the play and
Cristiano doesn’t. See if [Ronaldo] has an influence on the play beyond scoring
goals and appearing in certain moves. Messi is influential, he plays and
assists. Messi has a divine gift.” Last season Ronaldo face criticism as
he appeared somewhat cheerless when his teammates scored, as opposed to when he
himself found the back of the net. Alves feels Ronaldo is less of a team
player, which he particularly does not admire about the former Manchester
United star. “He has things that I do not admire because I play for the
team. I think that my team is more important than me. I think he cares little
for what really matters, which is the collective side of the game. So much so
that some criticised us during the celebration of titles while he celebrated
the Pichichi (top league goalscorer award),” he added.
Dutch legend Marco
van Basten has been appointed assistant coach of the Netherlands. The
former AC Milan star will aid Danny Blind, who moved into the hotseat on July 1
following Guus Hiddink’s resignation last month. The 50-year-old previously
coached Holland from 2004 to 2008, while as a player he inspired his country to
European Championship honours in 1988.