Sports

Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, retires from professional football

Published

1 month ago

May 21, 2024

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Toni Kroos

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.

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“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

Saudi club Al-Ittihad woo Ademola Lookman with €11m salary

Published

9 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Trends Admin

Ademola Lookman

Saudi club Al-Ittihad woo Ademola Lookman with €11m salary

Saudi club Al-Ittihad has made a generous offer to Atalanta for forward Ademola Lookman, proposing an annual salary of nearly €11 million, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

According to transfer expert, Rudy Galetti, the Saudi club have also offered Atalanta €30m for the transfer, with negotiations between the clubs ongoing.

Lookman recently won his team’s first European trophy in the UEFA Europa League final, scoring three goals against previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen and becoming the match’s hero.

Despite his success, the forward is not in a rush to leave La Dea or European football just yet, but Al-Ittihad is attempting to lure him with substantial financial incentives.

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Lookman has been playing for Atalanta since the summer of 2022, joining from Leipzig for €9.35m. Last season, he scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in 45 matches for the Italian club.

The 26-year-old’s performances have attracted interest from several top clubs across Europe. Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Serie A side Juventus are reportedly keen on acquiring Lookman, alongside several top Premier League clubs.

Since making the switch from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig to the Italians, Lookman has scored 32 times in 78 matches across all competitions for La Dea. His current contract with Atalanta expires in 2026, and while he is content at the club, he is keeping his options open ahead of the pre-season.

Saudi club Al-Ittihad woo Ademola Lookman with €11m salary

Sports

Man United keen on getting Osimhen, offer Hojlund plus cash

Published

9 hours ago

July 1, 2024

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Victor Osimhen

Man United keen on getting Osimhen, offer Hojlund plus cash

Manchester United are keen on signing Victor Osimhen with the Red Devils reportedly plotting a player plus cash deal to sign the 25-year-old Napoli striker.

The Nigerian has been linked with clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG but a report from CalcioNapoli24 states that United are very much in the race as well.

According to the report, the Red Devils have offered cash plus striker Rasmus Hojlund in a deal for the Napoli man, and it will be interesting to see if the Italian giants are willing to accept such an offer.

Hojlund joined United last season and was quite impressive in his debut campaign in England. It would be quite surprising if they decided to sanction his departure. The Denmark international is a prodigious talent with a bright future, and he could develop into a key player for the club.

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Napoli are prepared to cash in on Osimhen this summer despite being their leading top scorer for the past two seasons, including the Scudetto-winning 2022/23 campaign.

Having proven himself in Italian football, he could look to test himself at another league with the Premier League touted as his next destination.

After signing a contract extension with Napoli, the Nigerian’s release clause was pegged between €120m and €130m but that amount has been a problem for suitors, forcing the club to reduce Osimhen’s asking price to €100m

Napoli have been anticipating offers from the likes of Chelsea, United and PSG, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, no official approach has been made.

The club also refused an offer of more than €200m for Osimhen from a team in Saudi Arabia last summer.

Osimhen was signed from Lille in 2020 for a fee of around €75m and the Nigeria international has gone on to establish himself as one of the most exciting strikers in world football.

Man United keen on getting Osimhen, offer Hojlund plus cash

Sports

Joshua moves out of mom’s £175k house ahead Dubois fight

Published

9 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Trends Admin

Former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua

Joshua moves out of mom’s £175k house ahead Dubois fight

Former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua recently moved out of his mother’s north London flat into a new mansion.

The 2012 Olympic champion with nearly £100 million in the bank, revealed that he recently moved out and praised his mother, Yeta, adding that he stayed in his mother’s flat to ensure her well-being.

“I didn’t want to leave my mom alone,” he said on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.

“I wanted to make sure that her foundations were strong—the nest was strong—so that when I leave, mom’s good. For me, that’s freedom. Knowing no matter where I am in the world, mom’s happy and taken care of.”

The British-Nigerian fighter will face fellow Brit Daniel Dubois on September 21 at Wembley Stadium in London for the IBF belt. This bout was arranged following the confirmation by current titleholder Oleksandr Usyk that he would vacate the world title.

Usyk became the first heavyweight to hold the IBF, WBO, WBA, and WBC belts when he defeated Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia last month. However, he was set to be stripped of the IBF title, with the body stipulating he must face its mandatory challenger, Dubois, to retain it.

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Dubois, who beat Filip Hrgovic to become interim IBF champion earlier in June, said he is determined to dethrone the two-time world champion, Joshua. “That’s just what I’m aiming for—to be the best,” Dubois said.