Nevertheless, the Ligue 1 giants seem more interested in Osimhen’s teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and have already held talks with the winger’s agent, irritating Napoli.
Sports
Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, retires from professional football
Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, retires from professional football
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34.
In a heartfelt letter to Real Madrid fans, Kroos expressed his deep gratitude for the support and love he has received since joining the club in 2014.
Kroos revealed that the upcoming 2024 Euros will mark his final international appearance, concluding a remarkable career both at the club and international levels. Reflecting on his journey, Kroos wrote:
“As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. July 17th, 2014 – the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life. My life as a footballer – but especially as a person. It was the start of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world. After 10 years, at the end of the season, this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget that insolent successful time! I would particularly like to thank everyone who welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me.
READ ALSO:
- Generator fumes kill seven people in Bayelsa
- BREAKING: 40 killed in fresh terrorists attack on Plateau community
- BREAKING: CBN raises interest rate to 26.25%
“But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one. At the same time, this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship.
“I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it on my own. My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. From now on there is only one leading thought: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS.”
During his 11 seasons with Real Madrid, Kroos achieved significant success, winning five Champions League titles and scoring a total of 28 goals. His contributions on the field have cemented his legacy as one of the club’s great midfielders.
As he prepares for his final appearances, both at the club and international level, Kroos leaves behind a legacy of excellence, professionalism, and dedication to the sport. His decision to retire at the peak of his performance reflects his commitment to ending his career on his own terms, at the top of his game.
Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, retires from professional football
Sports
Osimhen to start pre-season with Napoli
Osimhen to start pre-season with Napoli
With no offers yet in sight despite being linked with a move away from Napoli this summer, Super Eagles’ ace striker Victor Osimhen will reportedly resume pre-season training with the former Italian champions next week.
According to Football Italia, new Napoli coach Antonio Conte could meet Victor Osimhen in Castel Volturno next week as no European club has yet made a formal offer to secure the striker’s services.
The Nigeria international has a €130m clause included in his contract with the Partenopei but despite rumours linking Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United with the 25-year-old, there are still no official bids on Napoli’s table.
No club seems willing to pay €130m for Osimhen, and it may be difficult to find suitable candidates even if the Partenopei lowers the price to €100m.
Conte is prepared to part company with the striker, but if no club steps up over the next few days, Osimhen will have to start the pre-season with Napoli on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
Last week at his unveiling as the new manager of Napoli, the 54-year-old Conte described Osimhen as ‘a top player’ despite making a categorical statement about the future of the former upstart with Wolfsburg in Germany.
READ ALSO:
- Python swallows woman nursing sick child in Indonesia
- Disaster as Lagos flood sweeps away pupil returning from school
- Head of vigilante arrested with human skulls, bones in Rivers
“I know very well about the Osimhen situation,” Conte reportedly said. “I know that there are agreements with the club, it’s a totally different situation, which I’ll witness.
“Then if you ask me about the player, he’s a top player, but I can’t get into any discussions about Osimhen because these are previous agreements,” he added.
Yet Italian tabloid Il Corriere dello Sport has given a fresh insight on why English Premiership trio of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have put Osimhen transfer talks on hold.
It was claimed that Arsenal prefer Viktor Gyökeres to Osimhen even if they also consider the Sporting striker’s €100m clause too high.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have changed their transfer targets after the appointment of the Italian Enzo Maresca, while Manchester United have set their sights on Joshua Zirkzee and will continue relying on ex-Atalanta ace Rasmus Hojlund, especially after Erik ten Hag was confirmed in charge at Old Trafford.
Osimhen dreams of playing in the Premier League, but PSG have also been monitoring the Nigerian ace.
Sports
Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
Super Eagles’ former forward, Emmanuel Amuneke, is set to return to coaching after a year away from the sidelines.
The former Tanzania coach has previously assisted Samson Siasia as well as Augustine Equavoen in the national team.
Amunike’s last role was with Zambia’s Zanaco FC, where he served as both coach and consultant before leaving in 2023.
He recently applied for the Super Eagles head coach position, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) opted for Finidi George instead
READ ALSO:
- Many people trapped as Abuja hotel building collapses
- Court releases man in Lagos prison after 15 years without trial
- Asisat Oshoala scores first-ever penalty for Bay FC in NWSL
According to reports from Owerri, Amunike is close to joining Heartland, which plans to return to the elite NPFL next season.
The report added that Amuneke, who has been quietly working with his hometown club, has started recruiting players for the upcoming season.
Heartland FC was relegated to the NPFL after finishing in the 19th position on the 20-team table last season.
The club is reportedly planning to buy the NPFL slot of Beyond Limits, who earned promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL), but face participation issues due to their affiliation with Remo Stars.
Amuneke, 53, has extensive coaching experience in domestic and international football.
Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
Sports
Asisat Oshoala scores first-ever penalty for Bay FC in NWSL
Asisat Oshoala Scores First-Ever Penalty for Bay FC In NWSL
Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Bay FC player to score a penalty in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Oshoala scored the winning goal in Bay FC’s 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville.
She calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot, 14 minutes before the end of the match.
READ ALSO:
- Rear Admiral Madueke wants court to stop ex-wife Diezani from using his name
- How Dasuki paid Fayose N1.2bn to avoid traces – Court witness
- Police kill two bandits in Benue shoot-out
This record-setting goal adds to the former Barcelona star impressive start at Bay FC, where she previously scored the club’s first-ever goal on her debut in the USA.
Since joining the club, Asisat Oshoala has now scored three goals.
Meanwhile, her international teammate, Uchenna Kanu, did not feature in Racing Louisville’s matchday squad for the game.
Asisat Oshoala Scores First-Ever Penalty for Bay FC In NWSL
-
Aviation2 days agoCustoms ground bank’s jet over unpaid import duty
-
metro2 days agoGunmen abduct 20 travellers along Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway
-
metro8 hours agoUpdated: One feared dead, seven rescued in Lagos two-storey building collapse
-
metro2 days agoBREAKING: Pilot survives as NAF helicopter crashes in Kaduna
-
Sports1 day agoUpdated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
-
metro2 days agoUK cab driver confesses still getting paid in Nigeria as civil servant
-
Sports2 days agoJoshua moves out of mom’s £175k house ahead Dubois fight
-
metro2 days agoEx-Konga boss Nick Imudia didn’t commit suicide – Family