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The SA20 mini-auction ahead of the 2024 season will take place in Johannesburg on September 27. On the day of the auction, a total of 21 slots are to be filled, six of those reserved for rookie players. A rookie player is someone who is a South African under the age of 22 and has not played in the SA20 previously.Overall, in a squad of 19, each team is required to have a minimum of ten South African players, a maximum of seven overseas players and a rookie player. The teams will have an additional R5.1 million (USD 274,000 approx) added to last time’s purse of R39.1 million (USD 2.1 million approx).Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape will be without Roelof van der Merwe this time as he has made himself unavailable. Van der Merwe was the joint-highest wicket-taker last season with 20 scalps.Related

• SA20 2024 starts on January 10, will clash with Test series in NZ

• Moeen Ali moves to SA20 as teams announce retentions, fresh signings

• SA20 teams given R39.1 million salary purse to build squads

In another update, Paarl Royals have contracted Kwena Maphaka. At 17, the left-arm seamer from Johannesburg becomes the youngest player to be signed in the league.Most teams have retained their core from the inaugural season. Durban’s Super Giants have the fewest slots to fill, two, and they have R1.675 million for that.Runners-up Pretoria Capitals have to sign the most number of players – five, out of which four could be overseas – and also the biggest purse available (R9.737 million).In addition to 21 picks on the auction day, four teams – Super Giants, Capitals, Royals and Joburg Super Kings – need to pick their wild-card players as well, as they either incorporated their season 1 wild cards into the main squad or, in the case of Super Giants, released them. The last date to do so is December 30. The wild-card players’ salaries are over and above the team purse.Here is how the squads line up before the mini-auction.

Durban’s Super Giants

Squad: Prenelan Subrayen, Quinton de Kock, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Heinrich Klaasen, JJ Smuts, Wiaan Mulder, Matthew Breetzke, Junior Dala, Keemo Paul, Naveen-ul-Haq, Kyle Mayers, Reece Topley, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dilshan MadushankaSquad size: 16 (10 South Africans, 6 overseas)
Slots to be filled: 2
Purse available: R1.675 million (USD 90,000 approx)

Joburg Super Kings

Squad: Gerald Coetzee, Faf du Plessis, Reeza Hendricks, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Moeen Ali, David Wiese, Zahir Khan, Sam Cook, Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, Aaron Phangiso, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle SimmondsSquad size: 14 (9 South Africans, 5 overseas)
Slots to be filled: 4
Purse available: R6.1 million (USD 327,000 approx)

MI Cape Town

Squad: Dewald Brevis, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Delano Potgieter, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Grant Roelofsen, Jofra Archer (wild card), Rashid Khan, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Tom Banton, Olly StoneSquad size: 15 (9 South Africans, 6 overseas)
Slots to be filled: 4
Purse available: R5.05 million (USD 271,000 approx)

Paarl Royals

Squad: Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Vilas, Bjorn Fortuin, Mitchell Van Buuren, Wihan Lubbe, Ferisco Adams, Codi Yusuf, Evan Jones, Jos Buttler, Obed McCoy, Jason RoySquad size: 15 (12 South Africans, 3 overseas)
Slots to be filled: 3
Purse available: R8.865 million (USD 475,000 approx)

Pretoria Capitals

Squad: Migael Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Ingram, Senuran Muthusamy, Wayne Parnell, Theunis de Bruyn, Eathan Bosch, Shane Dadswell, Corbin Bosch, Jimmy Neesham, Adil Rashid, William JacksSquad size: 13 (10 South Africans, 3 overseas)
Slots to be filled: 5
Purse available: R9.737 million (USD 522,000 approx)

Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Squad: Ottniel Baartman, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Sisanda Magala, Simon Harmer, Temba Bavuma, Sarel Erwee, Jordan Hermann, Aya Gqamane, Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Dawid Malan, Adam Rossington, Tom Abell, Craig Overton (wild card)Squad size: 16 (10 South Africans, 6 overseas)
Slots to be filled: 3
Purse available: R1.865 million (USD 100,000 approx)

تمكن فريق مانشستر سيتي من تسجيل هدف التعادل في شباك نظيره الهلال، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، نسخة 2025.

ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات دور الـ16 من كأس العالم للأندية، البطولة التي تستضيفها أمريكا حتى 13 يوليو الجاري.

ونجح مانشستر سيتي في تسجيل الهدف الثالث في شباك الهلال، في الدقيقة 104، بالشوط الإضافي الأول.

جاء الهدف عن طريق فيل فودين، بعد عرضية من ريان شرقي لتصل إلى الإنجليزي الذي سددها على الفور في شباك ياسين بونو.

MAN CITY ARE STILL IN THIS FIGHT!!

MCI 3-3 HIL

Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MCIHIL pic.twitter.com/f20EKeIC2a — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 1, 2025

وظهر فودين وهو يعرج خلال احتفاله بالهدف، حيث بدا وهو يعاني من إصابة عضلية، رغم أنه شارك كبديل مع بداية الشوط الإضافي الأول، رفقة عمر مرموش.

وتشير النتيجة في الوقت الحالي إلى التعادل بين الفريقين بثلاثة أهداف لمثلها، حيث سجل برناردو سيلفا، إيرلينج هالاند وفيل فودين أهداف مانشستر سيتي.

بينما سجل كل من ماركوس ليوناردو، مالكوم وخاليدو كوليبالي أهداف الهلال في تلك المباراة المثيرة للغاية.

Football kits are a big deal these days. Whether it’s a money-maker for clubs and manufacturers or a source of excitement ahead of the upcoming season, iconic strips can create memories that last forever.

The Premier League has featured plenty of dazzling kits over the years (as well as its fair share of eyesores), but which are the best in the competition’s history?

Liverpool recently announced that they will rekindle their partnership with Adidas from the 2025/26 season, raising hopes of an all-timer donning the likely Premier League champions next summer.

Here, we’ve listed some of the best kits the English top flight has served up in the last 33 seasons.

Ranking factors Designs Legacy Achievements 9 Liverpool 2006-08 home Previous Adidas favourite worn by Gerrard and Torres

Following the Reds’ recent announcement of Adidas returning as the Anfield club’s kit manufacturer, it feels fitting to start with one of their best kits in recent times.

Complete with the Carlsberg sponsor which had become iconic in its own right, their strip for the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons was a masterpiece, which included the trademark stripes, Liverpool’s badge and a rarely seen centred manufacturer logo.

They may not have won any trophies wearing it (Liverpool made the Champions League final wearing this), but just picturing Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard racing off in celebration in this kit makes it a worthy one to look back on.

8 Tottenham Hotspur 2018/19 third Navy and green combo made famous by European run

Admittedly, it is Tottenham Hotspur’s exploits in another competition – the Champions League – that elevates the status of this particular kit, but it’s still a great shirt.

Spurs went all the way to the Champions League final having created some magical memories in their third strip of the 2018/19 campaign, having seen off Manchester City and Ajax while wearing it.

Created by Nike, the unique colour combination is merged with an aerial view of the local area – a classy touch.

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Spurs have had plenty of memorable matches in UEFA competitions over the years.

ByRoss Kilvington May 22, 2025 7 Arsenal 2022/23 away Gunners break records with all-black strip

Arsenal’s away kit from the 2022/23 season is the most modern kit on this list – and with good reason.

Kitted out in all black, the Gunners went on an unexpected title charge that year, enjoying impressive results against the likes of Aston Villa and Brentford away from home.

Had Mikel Arteta’s side won the Premier League, this kit may have been ranked higher, but with the sales numbers breaking records, this is a rare modern masterpiece.

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1 ByBen Browning Dec 2, 2024 6 Chelsea 1997-99 home Umbro's finest Blues kit?

Umbro’s association with Chelsea spanned 20 years from 1986 to 2006, with a bit of a mixed bag in terms of results, if we’re honest (see 1994/95’s away shirt).

While there have been many fine efforts in blue, one of, if not the best, is the home kit worn between 1997 and 1999, which came with a redesigned badge, a white collar and gorgeous yellow/navy pinstripes.

With an Autoglass sponsorship to boot, it all adds up to a beast of a football shirt, which easily deserves its place among the best.

5 Man Utd 1992-94 away Green and yellow half-and-half throwback classic

Manchester United opted for a trip down memory lane in the early Premier League seasons, with the Red Devils reimagining the strip worn by the club in the late 19th century, when known as Newton Heath.

It’s a superb shirt for the throwback genre, almost solely for the drawstring collar, handing the likes of Eric Cantona and Ryan Giggs a more rugged look on the pitch. A kit just as daring these days would surely sell by the bucketload.

4 Man City 2009-11 third Minimalistic… with a sash!

Let’s be honest, there should be more sashes on football kits. All too rarely do we see the diagonal stripe deployed, but Umbro hit this one out of the park with Manchester City’s third kit in the 2009/10 campaign.

Running for two seasons, City’s third-choice strip was unlike any other of its day, chiefly due to the sponsor being pushed right up under the badge, allowing the simplicity of the red and black stripes to take centre stage.

No snazzy designs, no unnecessary gimmicks and not a sleeve sponsor in sight. Bravo.

3 Arsenal 1991-93 away Two words: Bruised banana

This easily could have been a kit that split opinion, but it feels as though the consensus today is that Arsenal’s original ‘bruised banana’ kit is one of the league’s most iconic designs.

While a bit busy at first glance, the zig-zag pattern is mesmerising and unique, with the Adidas trefoil logo adding a superb finishing touch.

Revived in 2019 when Adidas returned as the Gunners’ kit manufacturer, this is one of those designs that should stand the test of time for decades to come.

2 Arsenal 2005/06 home Burgundy beauty bids Highbury fitting farewell

When Arsenal planned to say goodbye after calling Highbury their home for 93 years, there will have been much anticipation as to what the final home strip would be. Step forward, Nike.

The apparel giant delivered an all-timer, with the kit harking back to the Gunners’ first strip during the early Highbury days, where the squad wore a burgundy home strip.

This handed a unique look to the Gunners for the 2005/06 season, during which they saw off the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus in Europe while sealing a comeback victory in the famous ground’s final top-flight match, nicking the final Champions League spot in the process.

Crucially, they looked great doing it.

1 Newcastle United 1995-97 home A faultless and iconic black and white strip

We don’t know if there’s such a thing as perfection, but Newcastle United’s home kit from the 1995/96 season comes pretty close.

The stripes, the logo, the Newcastle Brown Ale sponsor – it’s just perfect. It’s not trying too hard nor doing too little, it’s almost impossible to fault it.

An honourable mention has to go to the away strip for that season – in which Newcastle famously went so close to winning the league – with a blue/dark red combo that still looks gorgeous to this day.

The only thing you could argue was missing were Premier League winners’ medals hung upon them.

أبدى الدكتور مصطفى المنيري، رئيس الجهاز الطبي بنادي بيراميدز، قلقه الشديد من توقيت مباراة نهائي كأس مصر التي تجمع الفريق أمام الزمالك، والمقرر انطلاقها في الثامنة والنصف مساء اليوم الخميس على استاد القاهرة الدولي.

وأوضح المنيري في تصريحات للمركز الإعلامي لنادي بيراميدز، أن أذان المغرب سيحين قبل دقائق من الساعة الثامنة، وهو ما يعني تزامنه مع فترة الإحماء التي تسبق انطلاق اللقاء، محذرًا من أن تناول اللاعبين لوجبة الإفطار قبل وقت قصير من بداية المباراة قد يُعرّضهم لمضاعفات صحية خطيرة.

وأشار إلى أن الصيام الممتد لأكثر من 16 ساعة، يتبعه ارتفاع مفاجئ في مستويات السكر والأنسولين في الدم بعد الإفطار، ما يؤدي إلى انخفاض حاد في نسبة الجلوكوز داخل المخ والعضلات، وقد يتسبب ذلك في هبوط بالدورة الدموية أو إصابات عضلية محتملة، مما يؤثر على أداء اللاعبين وسلامتهم.

طالع أيضًا | تشكيل الزمالك المتوقع أمام بيراميدز اليوم في نهائي كأس مصر

وأضاف رئيس الجهاز الطبي أن الوضع خلال صيام يوم عرفة يختلف تمامًا عن صيام شهر رمضان، إذ يكون الجسم في رمضان معتادًا نفسيًا وبدنيًا على ظروف الصيام واللعب، بعكس يوم عرفة الذي يُعد ظرفًا عارضًا لا يتأقلم معه الجسم بنفس الكفاءة.

وكان اتحاد الكرة قد قرر تعديل موعد انطلاق المباراة النهائية لتقام في الثامنة والنصف مساءً بدلًا من الثامنة، مراعاة لصيام اللاعبين تزامنًا مع وقفة عرفات.

وتأهل بيراميدز إلى المباراة النهائية بعد فوزه العريض على البنك الأهلي برباعية نظيفة، فيما بلغ الزمالك النهائي على حساب سيراميكا كليوباترا عقب انتصاره بهدفين مقابل هدف في نصف النهائي.

Tottenham Hotspur are beginning to hold a real transfer regret, after they were offered an elite striker’s signature in the January window but opted not to pursue it with enough intent, with the Lilywhites now fearful they’re about to lose the race for his services.

Tottenham secure loan deal for Mathys Tel but future uncertain

Ange Postecoglou is convinced that January signing Mathys Tel, who joined Spurs on a six-month loan with an option to buy at around £47 million, will remain in north London beyond this campaign.

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Emilio Galantini

Feb 7, 2025

Postecoglou boldly stated that Tel would be staying, with the Australian convinced he’ll remain at N17 for the long run.

“He’ll be a Tottenham player, mate. He’ll be a Tottenham player. I think he’ll show everyone he’s going to be a Tottenham player in the next six months. I didn’t bring him here for six months,” said Postecoglou on Tel’s future.

“I think he is very, very exciting. When you meet him you realise he’s got that bit about him as a person who has enormous self-belief and confidence in what he can do and what he wants to do.

“Even though he’s young, physically he’s already in a place where he can take on the enormous challenges of being an attacking player in the Bundesliga and I think he can handle the Premier League. He’s a goal-scorer, he can take people on, he’s got speed. He is exciting.”

However, reports to the contrary suggest that the 19-year-old’s future isn’t quite as set in stone, despite the buy option.

A lot of it will centre around the forward’s own preference, with reliable Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk stating that Tel still has his eyes on a potential move to Man United this summer, while a return to Bayern is also possible.

Taking this into account, it would be a prudent move for Spurs to consider alternatives, in the event Tel doesn’t want to continue at the club.

Tottenham beginning to rue missed Jonathan David transfer chance

Lille star Jonathan David, who’ll be a free agent this summer, stands out as perhaps the biggest bargain alternative to Tel that Postecoglou could hope for.

The 25-year-old, who’s scored six goals in eight Champions League games this season, also boasts a total of 20 across 34 appearances in all competitions this season. He’s been a prolific scorer in France for years now, and elite clubs across the continent are standing up and taking notice, as the opportunity to snap him up at zero cost will soon present itself.

According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham were offered the chance to agree a pre-contract with David ahead of a switch this summer, and they’re beginning to regret not pursuing the opportunity with more gusto.

Spurs are now very worried they’ll lose the race for Canada’s superstar as a result, with Barcelona allegedly leading the race for David as things stand.

A deal for the Brooklyn-native would’ve been a very astute one from the club’s perspective, but chairman Daniel Levy and co are starting to rue the fact they didn’t move forward with a pre-contract agreement for Lille’s “world-class” marksman last month.

Everton fans spilt out of Goodison Park last weekend with a new sense of optimism.

The Toffees ground has too long been a bowl of murmurous disapproval, resignation as colourless attacking play fails to ignite cheer. David Moyes’ side showcased a new-found attacking element as Tottenham Hotspur were brushed aside.

However, Everton mustn’t get ahead of themselves, mustn’t forget their principles. Moyes is not a free-flowing attack-heavy manager. He’s pragmatic and drilled, though perhaps more tactically in tune than his predecessor.

A new striker is needed, as is a right winger. However, Everton could also address a couple of holes across the back, with a new full-back on The Friedkin Group’s radar.

Everton transfer news

As per Calcio Mercato, Everton are interested in signing AC Milan right-back Emerson Royal, only months after he joined the Serie A side from Tottenham, and are in talks with his agent to discuss a possible deal.

Emerson has been a regular starter for his new side but they are willing to part ways for a £13m fee this month to make room for Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, who is signing on loan with the option to buy at the end of the term.

The Brazil international won the Italian Super Cup earlier this month but has been something of a mixed bag this season, and could return to English football on the cheap, although Galatasaray also have a vested interest.

Why Everton want Emerson Royal

Moyes knows his way around managing a defence and could raise Emerson’s defensive game, adding an athletic and powerful dimension to Everton’s backline.

Emerson ebbed and flowed down N17 but was hailed for his “relentless” running by one-time Arsenal star Kevin Campbell, illustrated by his energy and tenacity on the pitch.

With Nathan Patterson suffering interminable injury problems, the 39-year-old Ashley Young has played a regular starting role in Everton’s squad this season, actually starting 17 Premier League fixtures.

The veteran invariably puts in a shift and has averaged 2.5 tackles per game, winning 56% of his duels and racking up three assists. He’s far from a liability, though admittedly he suffers somewhat from an understandable loss of athleticism and power, and this could see Emerson step into his shoes perfectly.

He’d also aid Everton in their bid to establish greater control in matches with a crisp ball-playing ability, ranking among the top 7% of full-backs for pass completion as well as the top 6% for tackles and the top 13% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref.

Matches (starts)

17 (16)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Clean sheets

5

Pass completion

90%

Key passes*

0.9

Ball recoveries*

3.5

Dribble (success)*

0.4 (44%)

Tackles + interceptions*

3.4

Clearances*

3.0

Total duels (won)*

6.4 (56%)

Errors

0

Young is out of contract at the end of the season but there’s every chance that his performances and leadership could warrant another year in the mix.

Signing Emerson would only help the experienced star in that regard, adding a new dimension and ensuring that Moyes has the tools to forge a successful path.

Moyes' next Arteta: Everton plotting move for exciting £15m talent

Everton are looking to strengthen David Moyes’ squad this winter.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 23, 2025

South African’s 97 not out ensures Championship hopefuls do not lose touch

David Hopps13-Sep-2022

Surrey 224 or 5 (Amla 97*) trail Northamptonshire 339 (Gay 145, Keogh 123) by 115 runsNorthamptonshire versus Surrey is a Championship match fought out in shades that a marketing company would never countenance unless persuaded to by a direct order and large sums of cash. Dismal browns and maroons dominated the scene. It was in this setting that Hashim Amla, in what we can respectfully call his wisdom years, fought with skill and sagacity to add sustenance to Surrey’s Championship challenge.Northants are brightening their traditional maroon here and there; their caps these days are a rebellious shade of burgundy. But dare to venture into the deepest recesses of Wantage Road and the maroon is so mournful, so darkened by the decades, it is a challenge to anybody’s state of mind. Enter some of the toilets and a voice in your head cries: “Please, don’t let me die here.” Not here, not amid the ghastly shades of yesteryear. Shades which seem entirely capable of killing the Covid virus in seconds, which sounds wonderful until you realise that if they could the entire country would have to be painted this way.Amid this forbidding, forgotten palette (to be fair to Northants, the truth is that Wantage Road is a much improved and convivial ground) Amla committed himself to the long haul. He is 39 now, his 349 international appearances long behind him, a time when there was no more classy, serene batter in world cricket and he could exhaust a bowling attack by his very presence.Amla has not just seen everything, he has logged it away for future benefit. These days, his worth as an overseas batter has to be dutifully restated year by year and is more likely to be achieved by toil than gasps of wonderment. He might have reflected that nothing is easy any more when bad light intervened with him still three runs short of his second Championship hundred of the season. It was an innings of great deliberation, 97 not out, from 201 balls with only seven boundaries, and stabilising Surrey who were in an uncomfortable position at 80 for 4. They remain 115 runs in arrears with five wickets remaining. The match is delicately balanced. They hope that “Hash will go deep”.Early in his innings, Amla swivelled gracefully on a pull shot and a spectator shouted “shot” in admiration, only to discover that the ball had dribbled a couple of metres from his feet. But he was still the batter that Northants most wanted to dismiss. A thick edge against Jack White fell short of first slip when he was 31, and Ben Sanderson allowed himself an optimistic lbw shout after, but generally he ticked along within his limits, working the ball square of the wicket on both off and leg side when the opportunity presented itself, a figure of utter calm. As the Championship race reaches its frenetic final weeks, that is a good quality to have.About an hour after play, Northampton’s skies darkened to a gorgeous sunset of maroon and rose, specked with wisps of grey. Even the sunset was in Northants colours, and they had rarely looked better, but if Amla gazed upon it, he might have felt most able to look upon it with the most satisfaction of all. He, after all, had prevented Surrey getting marooned.Northants’ seamers bowled well throughout and they made more impact with the new ball. Sanderson had given Rory Burns some awkward moments before he swung one back to have him lbw. White is eminently watchable, with his pumping run and somewhat dishevelled appearance, and he had two good wickets of his own. Ryan Patel became the third player in the match to hook to long leg and Ben Geddes, spotting a chance for a big square drive, failed to execute the shot and was caught behind.Rob Keogh raises his bat on reaching a century•Getty Images

Northants produced just enough excellent deliveries to stay in contention. Luke Procter bowled Jamie Smith with one that straightened to hit his off stump, but Cameron Steel provided sturdy support for Amla before Rob Keogh turned one out of the rough to bowl him.Amla, though, was immovable. In the Family Stand, Northants supporters observed him respectfully, as a nice enough background to their chatter. One maiden was played out amid conversations about whether Ian Botham was a better allrounder than Ben Stokes, a new petrol station near Old Trafford and the price of fish.Northants made 339 from a position of 249 for 4, their innings wrapped up in only 18 overs, and that they lasted so long owed everything to Keogh and Emilio Gay, who made 268 of them. Keogh, 75 not out overnight, rarely attracts the headlines, but his third Championship hundred of the season underlined that he has developed into a most workmanlike county cricketer. He had been an undercard to Gay on the first day, with more than half his runs coming from profitable guides and nudges to third, but he broadened his game as it became necessary for him to do so.He reached for a deep third boundary for his hundred when Kemar Roach dropped short and wide and was ninth out, skying a leg-side hit as Roach finished with a five-for.Keogh’s contributions have been necessary in a season where Ricardo Vasconcelos and Saif Zaib, both batters of some talent, appear to be free falling down the order. Vasconcelos came in at No. 6 and his fraught stay ended when he hooked Gus Atkinson easefully to long leg. Zaib, a place lower fell leg before slog-sweeping at the first ball of the morning from legspinner Steel. When James Sales drove a half-volley from Roach to short extra, Northants had gifted three wickets in the first ten overs and their visions of 400-plus had departed.After play, Northants’ batting coach, Ben Smith, called Keogh “a fine wine”. A Sagrantino, perhaps, rich and concentrated, one of the darkest reds imaginable. In Northampton, no other colour will do.

Edu Gaspar has officially closed the book on his time at Arsenal, penning an emotional tribute to supporters, staff and players.

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Edu served as Arsenal's sporting director for close to six yearsWas in service until November 2024Will embark on a fresh journey with Marinakis' football networkFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Brazilian, who served as Arsenal’s sporting director, formally exited the club this week after a successful five-and-a-half-year spell behind the scenes. Having first joined as Technical Director in July 2019, Edu was pivotal in reshaping the club’s identity and strengthening its competitive ambitions. He later became Arsenal's first-ever Sporting Director, a title he held before stepping away from the role last November.

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During his playing days, Edu was part of Arsene Wenger’s legendary "Invincibles" squad, winning two Premier League titles (2002 and 2004) and six trophies in total. His connection to the club runs deep, and his transition into a leadership role allowed him to further contribute to Arsenal’s evolution.

WHAT EDU SAID

In a touching Instagram post, Edu thanked the Arsenal faithful for their unwavering support during his time in north London.

He wrote: "Thank you, Arsenal. Thank you, Gunners ! With a heart full of gratitude, today formally I close one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional life. After five and a half years, my journey officially as Sporting Director of Arsenal FC has come to the end.

"I joined the club in July 2019 as Technical Director, with the challenge of bringing Arsenal with the mission of bringing Arsenal back where it belongs among football’s elite, driving a cultural shift, keep competing for trophies, and making Champions League qualification the minimum expectation for a club of Arsenal’s size. Later, I had the honour of becoming the first-ever Sporting Director in the club’s history, a milestone I will always carry with great pride.

"And throughout this process of rebuilding, you the fans were an essential part of everything! To the supporters, my most sincere thank you ! The support, the energy, and the connection we felt again in every match were simply special. The Emirates became an amplified version of the old Highbury atmosphere! To have experienced this alongside you is something I will never forget."

The former midfielder also took time to thank Arsenal’s ownership, his colleagues, and the players for their collective effort in re-establishing the Gunners as a force both domestically and in Europe.

"To our owners, Stan and Josh Kroenke, the board, Mikel, the players, the coaching staff, Per, Clare, all executive team, the backroom staff, everyone working at the Emirates Stadium, and especially those who welcomed me so warmly in the Director’s Box, thank you for these years of collaboration and kindness! It was never easy, but our intense work, united by a true team spirit, made me feel fulfilled throughout all these years!"

Edu explained his delayed farewell message by revealing he had been on gardening leave since his departure, choosing to remain silent out of respect until his contract officially concluded.

"(If I’m only now sharing this message, it’s because I’ve been on garden leave in recent months and, out of respect for the club and everyone involved, I preferred to wait until the final official day of my contract to publish this.)

"I wish Arsenal FC all the best and every success, and I also send my warmest wishes to the new Sporting Director Andrea Berta, who now takes on this beautiful role.

"I leave with a peaceful heart and immense pride in what we’ve built together!

"Thank you so much!

"Edu Gaspar ❤️⚽️"

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DID YOU KNOW?

In his directorial tenure, Edu oversaw an FA Cup victory in 2020 and two Community Shield triumphs. Under his guidance and Mikel Arteta’s leadership, the Gunners rose from mid-table mediocrity – finishing eighth in back-to-back seasons – to consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League.

While Arsenal's Premier League title hopes appear to be slipping away again this season – they currently trail leaders Liverpool by 11 points – the club remains firmly in contention in Europe. A dominant 3-0 victory over Real Madrid earlier this week has put them on the brink of a Champions League semi-final, offering a potential silver lining to their campaign.

The two Midlands counties have punched above their weight in the Vitality Blast this season and will be keen to carry the form into warm-ups

Matt Roller30-Jun-2022While one Indian men’s team is playing England at Edgbaston in the rescheduled fifth Test, another will be involved in two warm-up matches ahead of July’s T20I series against the same opponents, on the back of their 2-0 series win against Ireland in Malahide.For the England series, Rohit Sharma is back as India captain, with the first match starting at the Ageas Bowl on July 7.Related

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Fourteen of the 17-man squad that travelled to Ireland made an appearance in one of the two T20Is, with Rahul Tripathi, Venkatesh Iyer and Arshdeep Singh the three men to miss out. Hardik Pandya captained the side, with Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson putting in stand-out performances in the second T20I.Their opponents this week will be Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, two Midlands counties who have punched above their weight in the Vitality Blast this season. Heading into the final rounds of games, they sit third and fifth respectively in the nine-team North Group, with the top four qualifying for the quarter-finals.Derbyshire’s historic T20 record is poor: they have reached the knockout stages three times in 19 previous seasons and have only once reached Finals Day, back in 2019 when they lost to eventual champions Essex in the semi-finals. But they have been transformed this season since Mickey Arthur’s arrival as a coach, and a win against Durham on Sunday would guarantee a quarter-final place.They have used a core of 13 players in the Blast this season, with Shan Masood, one of their overseas players, leading from the front with 516 runs as captain, averaging 46.90 with a strike rate of 142.14. Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy, both local players despite their South African heritage, have contributed heavily in the middle order.With the ball, Scotland’s Mark Watt and the legspinner Mattie McKiernan have been the keys in the middle overs, while Hayden Kerr – the Australian allrounder who was a net bowler for Lucknow Super Giants at IPL 2022 – and the tall seamer George Scrimshaw have been prolific, if occasionally expensive.Derbyshire have named three overseas players in their 16-man squad for Friday night’s fixture, with Hilton Cartwright, the Australian batter, arriving as cover for Masood, but they are only expected to field three in their playing XI. Ticket sales have been strong, with fewer than 1000 remaining on Thursday evening.”They’re the benchmark of international cricket in pretty much all formats,” Cartwright told Derbyshire’s YouTube channel. “If you can perform well against them, your game is in a good place. It’s a real challenge to see how far you can test them.”For Northants, the atmosphere around Sunday’s game will depend heavily on their result against Leicestershire on Friday night. A defeat will see them eliminated but if they win, they will be relying on results elsewhere on Sunday to help them into the quarter-finals. They have a proud T20 history, lifting the trophy in 2013 and 2016, but have struggled in the last five seasons.Chris Lynn and James Neesham, their overseas players, have been their main stars this year but are not expected to take part in Sunday’s fixture, which has been sold out for the last week. Josh Cobb, their captain, has had an excellent Blast season with bat and ball while young players Saif Zaib, Ben Curran – the middle brother, between Tom and Sam – and left-arm wristspinner Freddie Heldreich have all shown glimpses of their talent.Fixtures: July 1 – Derbyshire vs India, The Incora County Ground (7pm), July 3 – Northamptonshire vs India, Wantage Road (2.30pm)

Nottingham Forest are prepared to make a move for an “exceptional” £25m player if he becomes available this winter, according to a report.

Forest flying high

Forest’s first half of the Premier League season has surpassed all expectations, with the prospect of Champions League football slowly becoming a real possibility, if they are able to perform at a similar level in the second half of the campaign.

There is no telling when an opportunity like this will arise again, so it could be vital for Nuno Espirito Santo to seize the moment and strengthen his squad this January, to give his side the best possible chance of achieving the unthinkable.

With the transfer window set to open tomorrow, the Tricky Trees have a number of targets in mind, including Galatasaray winger Baris Alper Yilmaz, with an offer of €20m (£16.6m) potentially on the way soon.

A new left midfielder is also of interest to Nuno, with Forest now racing to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague this winter, although there will be competition from Premier League rivals Brentford.

Nottingham Forest’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

January 6th

Liverpool (h)

January 14th

Southampton (h)

January 19th

AFC Bournemouth (a)

January 25th

Brighton & Hove Albion (h)

February 1st

There are now signs that Nuno may also be keen to strengthen in the middle of the park, with a report from The Daily Mail detailing that Nottingham Forest would be prepared to make a move for Manchester City’s James McAtee this January.

A number of clubs have taken a keen interest in McAtee, including Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, West Ham United and Crystal Palace, so there is set to be stiff competition for his signature if he becomes available. The £25m-rated midfielder’s future at the Etihad Stadium remains in doubt as he has found it difficult to get game time this season, despite Man City’s struggles.

It is believed that the 22-year-old has informed City he wants to leave the club, potentially opening the door for a move to the City Ground, should Pep Guardiola be willing to sanction his departure.

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1 ByBarney Lane Dec 30, 2024 McAtee needs to move

The Englishman needs to move if he is to fulfill his lofty potential, as he has found minutes especially hard to come by this season, making just three appearances in the Premier League. During his time on loan at Sheffield United, the attacking midfielder was lauded by journalist Ryan Taylor.

However, the Salford-born ace has simply not been given the opportunity to show what he can do in a City shirt, so a January transfer may be necessary for the good of his career.

A move to Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest could therefore be a very attractive proposition for the City academy graduate, especially considering his current club are by no means guaranteed to be in the competition next season.

McAtee already has some Premier League experience, picking up three goals and three assists in the competition for Sheffield United last season, and he could really kick on at the City Ground.