Sports

Real Madrid Sign Real Kylian Mbappe

Published

8 months ago

June 4, 2024

Real Madrid have announced the signing of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer after the France captain left Paris Saint-Germain.

The 25-year-old, who is PSG’s record goalscorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances, has signed a five-year contract at the Bernabeu worth €15m (£12.8m) a year after tax.

He will receive a signing-on bonus of just over £85m from Real, who will pay the fee in instalments over the duration of his contract.

The 2018 World Cup winner joins just two days after Carlo Ancelotti’s side won their 15th Champions League title to clinch the double, having also been crowned LaLiga champions.

A one-line statement from the European champions announcing Mbappe’s arrival said: “Real Madrid CF and Kylian Mbappe have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Real Madrid player for the next five seasons.”

Mbappe then posted on social media with pictures of himself as a kid wearing a Real Madrid kit and expressed his joy at joining the European champions.

He said: “A dream come true. So happy and proud to join the club of my dreams, Real Madrid.

“Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support. Hala Madrid!”

The Spanish giants have been long-term admirers of Mbappe and tried to sign him in 2022, but the forward committed to a new two-year deal at the Parc des Princes.

But Mbappe refused to activate a one-year extension in his PSG contract which allowed him to move for nothing this summer, just six years after costing the French club £166m from Monaco.

Mbappe’s departure, which he announced last month, has freed up at least €220m (£187.5m) of gross cost to PSG.

“There’s a bit of a collective sigh of relief that finally it’s over. They are finally coming together and hopefully it will be a harmonious union between Mbappe and Real Madrid.

“This saga has rumbled on for so long now that every single summer it was all about: ‘Here we go again, is this finally the summer he is going to come?’

“Everybody knew it was inevitable that Mbappe was coming to Real Madrid. It was just a matter of when.

“Real Madrid have been trying for so many years, it even began when he was 11 years old when he went to the club for a trial with the U12s side. He decided not to stay because his parents felt he was better off staying in France to grow and develop.

“In 2017, that was the real first time they came in for him when he was at Monaco. It didn’t work out as PSG came in and hijacked the deal. It’s been on and off again for the last seven years. It really is happening this time.

“But there is also a little bit of apprehension about this deal because it was such a big blow in 2022, when Real really thought he was coming, but he decided to snub them and stay in Paris.
“It left a lot of Madridistas very broken-hearted, disappointed and angry – even people at the club as well.”

“Ultimately it will depend on what Carlo Ancelotti wants to do from a tactical point of view.

“Yes, there is a pecking order of sorts but of course you are going to go with the best players that you have available.

“Let’s work under the premise that Ancelotti is going to stick with a 4-4-2 next season, with Jude Bellingham at
the top of the midfield diamond, though really Bellingham can do whatever he wants on the pitch.

“That means Vinicius and Mbappe can start in a two-pronged attack, like what Vinicius and Rodrygo have been doing this season.

“Vinicius has really made the left-hand side his. That is his best position. Rodrygo is more tactically flexible – he can play on the right, left or as a No 10.

“So there are lots of options. He could play 4-3-3, with Mbappe in the middle and Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings. But that means he would have to sacrifice a midfielder and they are so stacked in that area. I don’t see that happening too often.”

The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League officially opens on Friday June 14 – the same day that Euro 2024 starts.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

News

Haaland signs 10-year contract with Manchester City

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2025

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2034, the club announced on Friday.

The 24-year-old Norwegian, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a pivotal figure in the club’s recent successes.

His initial contract was set to expire in 2027, but the new deal reflects the club’s confidence in Haaland’s importance to their future.

“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement said.

Reflecting on the new contract, Haaland expressed his delight at extending his stay.

“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.

“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody,” he said.

Haaland thanked his teammates, manager Pep Guardiola, and the City staff, stating, “They have made this such a special place to be, and now I am City no matter what. I want to keep developing, keep working to get better, and help us achieve more success going forward.”

Since his arrival, Haaland’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. In his debut 2022/23 season, he scored 52 goals across all competitions, the highest-ever tally by a Premier League player in a single season, breaking the previous league record of 36 goals.

His goals were instrumental in City’s historic treble-winning campaign, which included the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.

In addition to collective success, Haaland garnered numerous individual accolades in his debut season, including the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards.

Despite an injury that sidelined him for nearly two months during the 2023/24 season, Haaland continued his prolific form, scoring 38 goals in 45 appearances, including 27 in the Premier League, securing a second consecutive Golden Boot.

Sports

SAD: Footballer slumps, dies during match in Osun

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2025

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior.

Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of Adeyemi Adewale, a football player for the Ilesa West Local Government Area team, who slumped during a match in Osogbo, the state capital.

Adewale, 29, was participating in the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match at the Ataoja School of Science on Thursday when he collapsed on the field.

Efforts to save him proved futile as he was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead upon arrival.

Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death have commenced.

“Today, (Thursday) while the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match was going on at Ataoja School of Science, one Adeyemi Adewale ‘M’ 29yrs, a player of Ilesa West Football team, slumped on the pitch.

“He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by a doctor,” the statement said.

The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the teaching hospital’s morgue.

Sports

Remarkable Comeback As Amad Diallo 12 Minute Hat-trick Seals Victory For Manchester United Vs Southampton

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Three late goals from Amad Diallo dragged a below-par Manchester United to a 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday.

Amad Diallo proved the saviour for Manchester United once again as they came from behind to sneak a late win against basement club Southampton.

United will have fancied their chances of getting back to winning ways against bottom of the table Southampton, but the hosts were second best from the off, deservedly falling behind to a Manuel Ugarte own goal just before halftime.

Staring down the barrel of another home defeat, United upped the ante after the break, getting back on level terms through Diallo eight minutes from time, before the Ivorian completed the turnaround in the 90th minute.

Amad Diallo is the hero for the hosts, his hat-trick getting them out of a huge hole against a Southampton team who deserved more than they got from the game.

An absorbing and entertaining game ends in a home victory.

Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have Amad Diallo to thank for saving their blushes.