Sports update

[Edoman]

Transfer: Barcelona sign ‘Austrian Messi’


 
on
 July 10, 2021




Barcelona have completed the signing of Yusuf Demir on loan from Rapid Vienna with an option to buy.


The 18-year-old has been dubbed the ‘Austrian Messi’ for his style of play and stature.


The winger has earned a fine reputation at home after breaking into the Rapid Vienna team so young.


Demir will now hope to link up with Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi himself if the Argentina international does sign a new deal at Camp Nou.


Barcelona disclosed this in a statement via their website on Friday evening.
The statement partly read, “FC Barcelona and SK Rapid Vienna have reached an agreement on the loan of Yusuf Demir for the 2021/22 season.

“Barça is paying 500,000 euros for the operation and holds a non-mandatory option to purchase for 10 million.”

[Edoman]

Lionel Messi finally wins major international trophy as Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in Copa America final








Lionel Messi’s wait for an international trophy is finally over after Argentina defeated Brazil 1 - 0 at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro to win the 2021 Copa América on Sunday morning, July 11.
 
Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game with a fine lob in the first half after several chances. The PSG star received a long pass from the impressive Rodrigo De Paul, which he converted.
 

 
The win also ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major trophy, and Brazil’s unbeaten home record that stretched back more than 2,500 days. The victory was also Argentina's 15th Copa America triumph and means they draw level with Uruguay as the all-time leading winners.
 

 
For Brazil, it was the first time in 6 editions that they failed to lift the trophy. 
 
'I can't cry yet,' Di Maria said after the match. 'We dreamed of getting this, and we fought. Many people criticized us and asked us not to come back (to the national team).' 
 

 
Messi, 34, dropped to the ground in joy at the full-time whistle and was swiftly mobbed by his team-mates, before being hurled in the air in celebration, as he finally claimed top-level honours with his country in his 10th major tournament.
 
Messi had a chance to sign off the win but slipped with the goal at his mercy, in what would have been the perfect finale for the Argentine captain.
 
Defending champions Brazil were disappointing, with their only chances of note coming when Richarlison and Gabriel Barbosa forced saves from Emi Martinez.
 

 
In a contrast of emotions, Messi's opposite number 10 and former Barcelona team-mate Neymar sank to his knees in tears at the final whistle, as his own personal pursuit of international success continues, having missed Brazil's 2019 Copa win through injury.
 
The pair, who played together at the Nou Camp between 2013 and 2017 before the Brazilian's move to Paris St-Germain, embraced in a long-lasting hug while they waited for the trophy ceremony.
 
The game was watched by a small crowd of 7,000 invited guests, because of Covid-19 restrictions, but was the first of the tournament to have spectators in attendance.
 
The sparse home supporters made their voices heard, though, particularly every time Messi touched the ball, booing and jeering the forward.
 
The tournament, delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and moved from initial co-hosts Colombia and Argentina, was switched to 2019 hosts Brazil in a last-minute decision which received criticism in light of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.
 

[Edoman]

Congratulations, Italy
Italy Crowned Euro 2020 Champions: See Pictures Of The Final Day

[Edoman]

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially WON the EURO 2020 Golden Boot

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the FIRST PLAYER EVER IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL to finish top scorer in the Champions league, Premier league, La Liga, Serie A and Euros


Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/15561422/ronaldo-wins-golden-boot-2020-kane/

[Edoman]

Amaju Pinnick Visits Watford, Meets Etebo, Troost-Ekong, Others (Photos)

President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick has visited the training facility of Watford FC in the UK, Igbere TV reports.

The NFF president visited the location following Friday’s announcement that Nigeria international Oghenekaro Etebo had signed a season-long loan with the team from Stoke.

“I visited the TRAINING CENTER of Watford FC to witness the first official training of our Super Eagles midfielder, my fellow Warri Boy, Oghenekaro Etebo, our prolific and versatile mid field player,” Mr Pinnick wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJrBOOn5Bf/?utm_medium=copy_link

Asides meeting with Nigerian players in the team, the NFF boss said he interacted with the club technical director Cristiano Giaretta.

Nigerian players at The Hornets include Etebo, William Troost-Ekong, Isaac Success, Tom Dele-Bashiru and Emmanuel Dennis. Dapo Mabude is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles after starring for the Scottish youth side.

“Emphasis was that we have potentially 5 Super Eagles players in Watford FC, but now only three regular players so the NFF needs to build a stronger relationship with Watford. He (Giaretta) was truly excited in affirmation of our request,” Pinnick said.

He also said he has been scheduled to meet with Watford president and CEO and the CEO of Leicester, Everton and others in the coming weeks.

“By His Grace our World Cup qualification is not negotiable,” the NFF president said.

[Edoman]

We stand with our players" - English FA hits back at racist trolls after defeat to Italy in EURO final 







The England Football Association has confirmed that after losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, racist trolls attacked Marcus Rashford, Jordan Sancho, and Bukayo Saka online. 

All the three players missed from the spot as the Italian team won 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after the final game ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time. 
 
 All three players suffered racist abuse on the internet over their failure to convert the penalty kick.


In a statement, England Football Association condemned the racist abuse, before stating that they 'stand with our players"


The football body released a statement on Twitter, which reads: "We're disgusted that some of our squad, who have given everything for the shirt this summer have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight's game. We stand with our players".
 

[Edoman]

Sergio Ramos begs Mbappe to stay at PSG amid interest from Real Madrid


 
on
 July 13, 2021




New Paris Saint-Germain signing, Sergio Ramos, has urged teammates, Kylian Mbappe, to stay at the club amid transfer interest linking him with a move to Real Madrid this summer.


Mbappe has been a transfer target for Ramos’s former club, Real Madrid.
But Ramos wants to play alongside the France international at PSG.

“I would not dare say what someone should do, with my experience, I could give him [Mbappe] some advice in private,” Ramos told Spanish media via video press conference.


“I would like him to stay at PSG because I like to play with the best.

“When you make the decision to stay or go, it is very personal.”


“I don’t know what Kylian [Mbappe]has in mind, but he can make the difference,” Ramos added.


“He’s very young, there is a very good team here and it needs great players.
“I can bring my winning spirit and if I can pass that on to the team, it will have been a success.”

[Edoman]

'Iker Casillas and Raul are frauds'- Real Madrid President Perez blasts club legends in leaked audio








A leaked audio recording has emerged in which Real Madrid president Florentino Perez could be heard branding the club’s former stars Iker Casillas and Raul as “great frauds”.

Casillas and Raul became Madrid legends after spending a combined total of 43 years at the club after graduating from the club's academy.

They both won seven La Liga titles between them.
 

 
Raul left the Bernabeu in 2010, moving to Schalke having scored more than 300 goals for the Spanish giants while Casillas was forced out Madrid after playing more than 700 times for the club.

Now, a secret recording from a 2006 conversation has emerged in which Perez blasted the two club legends.


The conversation took place six months after Perez resigned from his first spell as president amid criticism that he had focused too much on brand appeal rather than footballing success.
 
“He is not a goalkeeper for Real Madrid. He is not and he never has been. It has been the great failure we have had,” Perez said about Casillas according to El Confidencial.

“What happens is that they [the fans] adore him, they love him, they talk to him. I don’t know why they defend him so much.

“Well, it’s one of the great frauds, the second is Raul. The two great Real Madrid frauds are Raul first and Casillas second.”

Perez then turned his anger towards Raul, who he accused of “destroying” the club, blaming him for his departure as president.


“[Zinedine] Zidane’s a great guy. And [David] Beckham and Ronaldo. … But then there are the others that think that … let’s see. Raul is a bad person,” Perez said.


“He thinks Madrid is his and he uses everything there is in Madrid, developing everything for his own benefit. Him and his agent. They are to blame for Madrid not doing well.

“Look, I left, among other reasons, because of him. He is a negative guy, he is destroying Madrid.”

Perez has now com out to hut back at the publisher of the audio recording, claiming that the recording has only been published to discredit him in the face of the European Super League scandal.

“Given the news broadcast in El Confidencial, in which phrases attributed to me are reported, I think it is necessary to clarify,” the statement read.

“The reproduced phrases are pronounced in conversations clandestinely recorded by Mr. Jose Antonio Abellan, who has been trying to sell them for many years without success.

“It is surprising now that, despite the time that has elapsed, the newspaper El Confidencial reports them today.

“They are single phrases of conversations taken from the broad context in which they occur.

“For them to be reproduced now, after so many years have passed since those conversations took place, is I understand due to my participation as one of the promoters of the Super League.

“I have put the matter in the hands of my lawyers who are studying the possible actions to take.”
 
 

by

[Edoman]

Euro 2020: Over 100,000 English fans sign petition calling for final between England and Italy to be replayed







Over 100,000 English fans have signed a petition calling for England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy to be replayed.

England lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley on Sunday evening July 11.
 
After the match loss,  some fans were left incensed and have now launched a change.org petition to asked that the match be replayed.

The petition was started on the grounds that it apparently “was not fair at all”, with an image of Giorgio Chiellini’s now infamous foul on Saka – which the Italian defender was booked for – used to highlight this apparent unfairness.

It is added that there were “pushes, pulls and kicks” from the victorious Italians, who – it is said – should have had “a red card for their gameplay” with the match replayed with a “non-biased” referee, presumably to give England a better chance of winning.

As at Tuesday July 13, over 100,000 people had signed the petition.
 

[Edoman]

Gianluigi Donnarumma signs for PSG on a free transfer from AC Milan after winning best player at EURO 2020








Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has signed for Paris St Germain on a five-year deal.
 
The 22-year-old, who won the award for the best player at the EURO 2020 joins PSG after reaching the end of his contract with AC Milan, with whom he had been with since 2013.
 
Donnarumma was handed his Milan debut aged 16 in 2015 and ended up making over 200 Serie A appearances for them.
 
Confirmation of his move to PSG comes three days on from Donnarumma, holder of 33 senior caps, helping Italy win Euro 2020 and being named player of the tournament.
 

 
Donnarumma said in quotes on PSG's official website: 'I am very happy to be part of this great club that is Paris St Germain.
 
'I feel ready to take on this new challenge, and continue to grow here. With Paris, I want to win as much as possible and give joy to the supporters.'

 
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: 'We are pleased to welcome Gianluigi Donnarumma to Paris St Germain.
 

 
'We congratulate him on his victory at Euro 2020, and his title as the best player of the competition.
 
'I know Gianluigi will receive a warm welcome from everyone at the club, including his teammates, our staff, and all the Parisian support.'
 
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud arrives in Italy ahead of £1m move to AC Milan (photos)







Olivier Giroud has touched down in Italy for his AC Milan medical ahead of joining the Serie A giants from Chelsea in a £1million deal. 
 
The France international forward was pictured on Thursday afternoon arriving at the Linate airport in Milan after being flown from Grenoble on a private jet.
 

 
Giroud, who was seen wearing a mask with the AC Milan badge on it, waved to the cameras and posed for photographs before he left the airport in a 4x4 BMW by a club associate.
 
The former Arsenal striker will undergo his medical at Milan's training base on Friday before putting pen to paper on a two-year contract worth £3million a season.
 

 
Reports in Italy claim his deal will include an option for a further deal and expect Giroud to be confirmed as a Milan player on Friday.  
 
Giroud, who last season won the Champions League with Chelsea, spent three years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 39 goals in 199 appearances for them.
 

[Edoman]

Tuchel gives up on Haaland, ready to sign Lewandowski

 
on
 July 18, 2021




Chelsea are giving up in their bid to sign Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland, according to the UK Sun.


The Blues will instead turn their attention to Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.


Thomas Tuchel is desperate to bring in a prolific new number nine this summer and had made Haaland his top target.
But Dortmund would only listen to an offer of around £175 million for the Norway international.


That has forced Chelsea to return to the drawing board and revive their interest in Lewandowski.


The Poland international enjoyed a stunning campaign last season, breaking Gerd Muller’s long-standing record by scoring 41 times.

Despite turning 33 next month, Tuchel now regards the experienced frontman as “his best option” in a difficult transfer market and could be the ideal signing to finish the hoard of chances his side created last season.


Lewandowski is contracted to Bayern until 2023 and a bid of £50 million would be required to land the striker.

[Edoman]

Germany's Olympic football team walks off the pitch over 'racial abuse' from Honduras player in warm-up tie ahead of Tokyo 2020 (photo)









Germany's Olympic soccer team walked off the pitch during a friendly match against Honduras after one of the German players was racially abused, according to the German Football Association (DFB).
 
"The game has ended 5 minutes early with the score at 1-1. The Germany players left the pitch after Jordan Torunarigha was racially abused," tweeted the DFB.
 
Torunarigha, who is Black, plays as a defender for Germany.
 

 
The Honduran Football Federation did not respond to CNN's request for comment via email and phone, but the organization said in a tweet that the "alleged racial insult" had been a "misunderstanding" on the pitch.
 
The match against Honduras took place in Wakayama, Japan, and was the final practice for the German side before their first Olympic match on July 22, according to the DFB.
 
"When of our players is racially abused, playing on is not an option," Germany coach Stefan Kuntz said in a statement
 "When one of our players is racially abused, playing on is not an option."
"It was hard to get him in, he was terribly upset because he said he was repeatedly racially abused. For us it's clear, this violates our values, we cannot tolerate it. We'll take our player completely under our protection."
"After the situation calmed down a bit, the whole Honduras team came over to us on the bench and apologised," Kuntz said. "That was the end of the matter for us."
 
Torunarigha's club, Hertha Berlin, responded by saying "that's the only correct decision!"
 
Germany captain Maximilian Arnold said the team discussed taking the matter further but decided against it.
"We made a correct statement, we made the right decisions and acted correctly. It was also Jordan's wish. He said that we should leave it at that," Arnold said.
 
The behind-closed-doors warm-up game was arranged to prepare for the Olympic Games and took place in Wakayama, Japan.
 
The German football association confirmed the game was played in thirds of 30 minutes with Douglas Martinez scoring for Honduras in the 21st minute.
 
Felix Uduokhai equalised for Germany in the 84th minute, but Germany left the pitch soon after.
 
In February 2020, Hertha BSC player Torunarigha was racially abused by fans of an opposing team in a German Cup match. The DFB fined Bundesliga club Schalke roughly $59,000 over the incident.
 
 

by 

[Edoman]

Ghana League: Hashmin Musah Scores 2 Own Goals To Foil Match Fixing Plot (video)

Ghana Premier League player admits scoring two deliberate own goals to foil match-fixing plot

The defender saw his actions at the weekend go viral on social media after he converted twice past his own goalkeeper.

Inter Allies defender Hashmin Musah has confessed to scoring two intentional own goals in Saturday’s Ghana Premier League clash with Ashanti Gold in order to defy an attempt at match-fixing from his own team.

The club went down 7-0 in the match, with Musah coming off the bench to net twice past his own keeper in the final 12 minutes.

He claims that he did so on purpose as he believes that the score had been agreed in advance for betting purposes.

“After the game, my technical team commended me for spoiling the bet they had staked,” Musah told Kumasi FM , as reported by Citisportonline.

“I promised my coach that if he allows me to play from the bench, I will spoil the bet. And after the game, my team congratulated me.

The craziest own goals ever in the history of football.

Ashgold 7 vs 0 Inter Allies. Ghana Premier League smh.

— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) July 19, 2021
“I heard it in our hotel that a bet had been made for a correct scoreline of 5-1 against my club Inter Allies.

“I decided to spoil that bet because I don’t condone betting."

The bigger picture

Inter Allies went into the final game of the season already condemned to relegation from the Premier League, and were 5-0 down before Musah's introduction.

Musah himself was substituted out of the match just before full-time following his two own goals.

While videos of the defender’s goals have gone viral on social media, prompting calls for investigations, Ashanti Gold have stressed they had no involvement in the alleged match-rigging agreement.

“We take notice of the videos circulating in relation to our game against Inter Allies and wish to unequivocally disassociate [ourselves] from any wrongdoing,” Ashanti Gold said in a statement on Monday.

"Ashanti Gold played competitively in the entire duration of the game, with our players scoring five great goals through hard work and team effort in the 15th, 26th, 42nd, 49th and 77th minutes respectively.

“We have no idea as to why the opponents’ player scored two own goals after we were up by five goals, with 13 minutes to end the game.

“We demonstrated throughout the game we were determined to play to the best of our abilities, and not to play to any pre-determined score line as it’s been circulated,” AshGold’s statement continued.

“We therefore vehemently disassociate ourselves from any match-fixing and wish to urge all persons and organisations wrongfully accusing the club of match fixing to desists from that, as we won’t hesitate to take legal actions against such parties.

“As a renowned sporting brand, we have always believed in fair play and would continue to act in the good interest of the game.”

The Ghanaian FA have subsequently announced their intention to look into any alleged irregularities, affirming in a statement: “The Ghana Football Association (GFA) wishes to inform all its members and the public that the Association has opened investigations into the Ghana Premier League Matchday 34 game played between Ashanti Gold SC and Inter Allies FC at the Len Clay stadium at Obuasi on Saturday, July 17, 2021,” the GFA has stated in a statement on its official website on Monday.

“The GFA has resolved that: (1) The Compliance & Integrity Officer and the GFA Prosecutors will lead the “sporting” investigations by the GFA, and (2) The Association will further lodge a complaint on the match with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana wing of Interpol for the criminal investigation of the game.

“The GFA further urges any member of the public, the media, players, technical team members to also send any evidence or information whatsoever connected to the match (a statement, video, audio etc) to assist the investigations through the GFA integrity Hotline and email.”

https://www.goal.com/en/news/ghana-premier-league-player-admits-scoring-two-deliberate/17w4bolf6cpp412li1ffpnvte0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8SgpIQ7Qpw

[Edoman]

Arsenal Complete £17.2m Signing Of Sambi Lokonga

Arsenal have completed the signing of Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on a long-term contract.

The fee, although undisclosed, is believed to be around £17.2m for the Belgium Under-21 international.

Lokonga, 21, joined Anderlecht at 15, made his first-team debut in December 2017, and has gone on to make 78 appearances, scoring three goals.

"Albert is a very intelligent player who has shown great maturity," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

"He has been coached well by Vincent Kompany and his team at Anderlecht. I know Vincent very well and he talks so highly about Albert and the positive impact he had to Anderlecht in recent seasons.

"We're confident Albert's ready for the next stage in his development and we're looking forward to welcoming a new member to our squad with his quality and presence."

Arsenal technical director Edu added: "There was a lot of interest in Albert and he was a big target for us.

"He will bring us strength in depth in the centre of midfield."

The midfielder, who will wear the number 23 and have Sambi on his shirt, has played seven times for Belgium Under-21s, scoring two goals.

Lokonga will join his new team-mates after he has completed the current isolation regulations for international arrivals into the UK.

Arsenal are also closing in on the transfer of Brighton and England defender Ben White, for £50m, having already taken 21-year-old left-back Nuno Tavares from Benfica for £8m this summer.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57893045

[Edoman]

David Alaba unveiled as a Real Madrid player and handed No.4 shirt (Photos)







Real Madrid have unveiled new defender David Alaba after the defender passed his medical. 

The Spanish giants announced the signing of Alaba on a free transfer in May after his Bayern Munich contract expired.

The Austrian international, 29, was pictured undergoing his medical before his move could be confirmed. He was handed Sergio Ramos' old number four jersey.
 
'Hello everyone, thank you very much for the warm welcome. It's a great day in my career, I'm very excited for it. 
 

 
'I'm very proud and honoured to wear this white jersey of Real Madrid. For sure I will give everything [so] we can be very successful together. Vamos! Hala Madrid!'

Club chief Perez said he hoped the arrival of Alaba would make fans excited and called him 'an extraordinary footballer', challenging him to become part of the club's history.

'Hello everyone, thank you very much for the warm welcome. It's a great day in my career, I'm very excited for it. 
 
'I'm very proud and honoured to wear this white jersey of Real Madrid. For sure I will give everything [so] we can be very successful together. Vamos! Hala Madrid!'
 
Club chief Perez said he hoped the arrival of Alaba would make fans excited and called him 'an extraordinary footballer', challenging him to become part of the club's history.

'Whenever great players arrive, Madridistas have special enthusiasm,' he said. 'The arrival of this magnificent player coincides with a great era with the return of Ancelotti. We want our fans to be proud of our team.
 

 
'We welcome an extraordinary footballer, David Alaba. I want to thank you for choosing Madrid. You come from one of the great clubs in the world, a friendly club in which you have won 28 titles. You are one of the great legends of Bayern.

'You arrive in Madrid with the highest recognition in the world of football. You now face an exciting challenge, to add titles with Madrid and be part of the history of our club. Welcome to the club with which you dream of getting new titles, welcome to your new home.'
 
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Head coach, Mauricio Pochettino signs PSG contract extension until 2023







Maurcio Pochettino has signed a one-year contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain to continue as manager..
 
Pochettino joined PSG in January and penned a deal until June 2022. His contract with the French giants now runs until June 2023.

 
The 49-year-old was a surprise contender for the vacancy at former club Tottenham Hotspur, following the departure of Jose Mourinho, but talks stalled and Tottenham moved for Nuno Espirito Santo instead.
 
Pochettino’s staff have also been handed contract extensions of the same length.

Pochettino speaking to press on Friday, July 23, said: “I’m really very happy, for myself and also for my staff.

 
“It’s very important for us to feel the confidence of the club and we will give our maximum so that the supporters are proud of Paris Saint-Germain.

 
“That’s why we will try and reach our objectives altogether, as one. Twenty years ago I was captain of this club and today I am the coach… It’s a dream come true.”
 
PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi added: “We are delighted that Mauricio has reaffirmed his commitment to the Paris Saint-Germain family.
 
“Having also captained the team 20 years ago, he understands the club values, ambition and vision for the future. With Mauricio’s leadership, we’re excited and confident about what the future holds.”

Appointed following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, Pochettino took charge in the midst of a very competitive Ligue 1 title race.
 
Lille won the title by a point thanks to a 2-1 victory over Angers. Pochettino’s side were knocked out by Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals.
 
On the positive side, the Argentine claimed the first two trophies of his managerial career, winning the Trophee des Champions in January and the Coupe de France in May.

[Edoman]

Karim Benzema Tests Positive For COVID-19


Real Madrid C. F. confirm that our player Karim Benzema has tested positive for COVID-19.

https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2021/07/23/official-announcement-karim-benzema?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organico

Real Madrid have confirmed that striker Karim Benzema has tested positive for COVID-19, Newspremises reports.

The LaLiga giants, who have replaced Zinedine Zidane with Carlo Ancelotti, are already in preseason ahead of the 2021/2022 season.

However, Benzema will play no part in pre-season training, as he must now take in a period of self-isolation.

A terse statement on Real’s official website reads: “Real Madrid C. F. confirm that our player Karim Benzema has tested positive for Covid-19.”

He will not be cleared to rejoin the rest of Ancelotti’s squad before a negative test has been posted.

Benzema has already made a delayed return to the Real fold following his involvement with France at Euro 2020.

Source: https://newspremises.com.ng/benzema-tests-positive-for-covid-19/

[Edoman]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signs new Manchester United contract until 2024

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a new contract with the club until 2024, with the option of a further year.

The Norwegian initially stepped in as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in December 2018, replacing Jose Mourinho.

 
He led the club to a third-place Premier League finish in his first full season in charge. United finished second in the table last season and also reached the final of the Europa League, where they were beaten on penalties by La Liga side Villarreal.

Solskjaer, who spent 11 seasons as a Manchester United player, said the club will go from strength to strength under his stewardship.


"Everyone knows the feeling I have for this club, and I am delighted to have signed this new contract," he said.


"It is an exciting time for Manchester United, we have built a squad with a good balance of youth and experienced players that are hungry for success.
 
"I have a fantastic coaching team around me, and we are all ready to take that next step on our journey. Manchester United wants to be winning the biggest and best trophies and that's what we are all striving for. We have improved, both on and off the pitch, and that will continue over the coming seasons.
 
"I can't wait to get out in front of a packed Old Trafford and get this campaign started."

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward added: "Ole and his staff have worked tirelessly putting the foundations in place for long-term success on the pitch.
 
"The results of that have become increasingly visible over the past two seasons and we are all looking forward to seeing this exciting team develop further in the years ahead.
 
"What is especially pleasing is the way this progress has been achieved with a blend of young, homegrown talent and top-class recruits, playing attacking football in the best traditions of Manchester United. We are more confident than ever that, under Ole's leadership, we are heading in the right direction."

[Edoman]

Lewandowski Wins Germany's Footballer Of The Year Award

Robert Lewandowski has received Germany's Footballer of the Year award for the second season running after a record-breaking year, Newspremises reports.

The Bayern Munich striker scored 41 goals in 29 appearances as his club were crowned Bundesliga champions again. He also broke the long-standing record by Gerd Muller for most goals in a single Bundesliga season.

Lewandowski beat his previous best of 34 goals in 31 appearances which was set during the 2019-20 season.

The club confirmed Lewandowski has won the award in a poll carried out by sports magazine Kicker in a vote by sports journalists.

The 32-year-old received a massive 356 of the 563 votes cast in the poll, putting him way in front of teammate Thomas Muller (41). Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland came third in the poll with 38 votes after he scored an impressive 27 goals in 28 games.

Lewandowski told Bayern Munich's official website: 'I know what a great honour this is.

'It's a source of great pride and joy for me, because it's rare for someone to win the title of Footballer of the Year in Germany twice in a row.'

https://newspremises.com.ng/robert-lewandowski-wins-germanys-footballer-of-the-year-award-for-the-second-season-running/