Growing up in Bujumbura, the largest city in Burundi, Youssouf Ndayishimiye always hoped football would prove to be his route out of “unimaginable poverty”. After becoming the most expensive player in his country’s history when he joined Nice in 2023 for a reported €11.5m ($13m, £9.75m), the 26-year-old is certainly a world away from a...
Fourteen players are already under contract for the 2025-26 season, while eight players have been released by the club at the end of their deals. Experienced defenders Angus MacDonald and Ben Purrington head the list along with Kenya international Vincent Harper and centre-back Cheick Diabate. Reserve goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald is also leaving, as are academy...
The game was 29 minutes old when Maguire went all Ronaldinho to silence the home fans. With Mikel Jauregizar in front of him, United’s number five went to the right, stopped, turned one way and then the next, then started up again, going past his opponent and delivering the cross. Manuel Ugarte flicked it on...
Glentoran defender Demi Vance says she is “fit and ready” to play for Northern Ireland if she is recalled by manager Tanya Oxtoby. Vance has won 95 caps but not featured for Northern Ireland since being left out of Oxtoby’s squad for October’s Euro 2025 play-off with Croatia. The 33-year-old was one of the most...
Under article 101 of the RFEF disciplinary code, which covers “mild violence” towards referees, Rudiger could have received a suspension of between four and 12 matches. All six games of Rudiger’s suspension will be served in league matches, meaning that it will extend until the start of next season. He will be banned for the...
Bayern Munich defender Eric Dier is in advanced talks to join Monaco before the start of next season. The former England international’s deal with the German club is due to expire at the end of the season. The ex-Tottenham star, 31, is set for a move to France with Monaco, with discussions believed to be...
Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn has announced her retirement from the game. The 34-year-old accumulated 121 international caps, making her debut in a friendly against Poland in February 2008. Quinn scored 16 senior international goals, 15 of which were headers, and played every minute of her country’s historic first appearance at the 2023 Women’s...
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger faces a long spell on the sidelines after having knee surgery. Rudiger was forced off in extra time on Saturday as Real lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona and was later diagnosed with a partial tear of the external meniscus in his left knee. Real did not give...
Walker’s career began at Sheffield United and has taken him to Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa among others. He was asked which is his favourite shirt he has managed to swap with an opposition player. I have Ash’s [Ashley Cole] shirt in my house. It is in a frame. He was one I wanted...
Real Madrid had come from behind to lead 2-1 before Ferran Torres’ 84th-minute equaliser sent the Clasico final in Seville to extra time. Barcelona defender Jules Kounde drilled in a 22-yard screamer in the 116th minute to ultimately win a thrilling encounter on Saturday. In the final moments, Real forward Mbappe tried to shrug off...
Just two days before his procedure, and no more than a fortnight after finding the lump, Koutroumbis was informed of the news that would change his life. His devastated mother was in the room with him. From that point on, he made sure he was the “strongest one” in his family. “It was a bit...
AC Milan defender Kyle Walker made headlines three weeks ago for something he told forward Joao Felix. As the players came off at half-time of their Serie A game with Napoli, the England right-back was speaking to the Chelsea loanee in the tunnel and said “pass the ball, nobody here is Messi”. Milan, who are...
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have both been linked with the centre-back in recent weeks. Well-placed sources have indicated that Huijsen would prioritise a move to Real if the La Liga club were to accelerate their interest. It is also understood that while regular playing time to ensure his continued development will be a key...
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned to training before their Premier League fixture with Leicester City on Sunday. The 26-year-old England international has been absent since he sustained an ankle injury in Liverpool’s Champions League last-16 defeat by Paris St-Germain in March. Reds boss Arne Slot previously said he expected Alexander-Arnold to be back before...
Barcelona defender Mapi Leon has been banned for two Liga F matches following an incident with Espanyol defender Daniela Caracas in February. The Spain international was accused of “violating the privacy” of Colombia defender Caracas on 10 February after appearing to touch her in the groin area while Espanyol defended a corner kick. Espanyol expressed...