..::Football IV::..

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OFFICIAL: Leicester sign Slimani from Sporting CP

Leicester City have completed the signing of Algeria striker Islam Slimani from Sporting CP.

Slimani joins the Premier League champions on a five-year deal after they agreed a club record fee of €30million, plus an additional €5million dependent on objectives, with Sporting.He scored 27 goals in 33 Primeira Liga appearances last season as Sporting finished second, drawing reported interest from Arsenal as well as Leicester.

The striker was in tears after Sporting's 2-1 win over Porto on Sunday, in what proved to be his final appearance for Jorge Jesus' men."To join a team like Leicester City is a huge honour and I can't wait to get started," Slimani told Leicester's official website.

"I've always wanted to play my football in the Premier League and to get the opportunity to do that with the reigning champions was something I simply could not turn down."

Slimani, who joined Sporting in 2013, has scored 23 goals in 43 games for Algeria and was part of the squad that reached the last 16 of the World Cup in 2014.He becomes Leicester's sixth signing of the transfer window, joining Luis Hernandez, Ron-Robert Zieler, Bartosz Kapustka, Nampalys Mendy and Ahmed Musa at the King Power Stadium.

The 28-year-old's Leicester debut could come at Anfield on September 10 when Claudio Ranieri's men face Liverpool.

 

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OFFICIAL: Wilshere joins Bournemouth on loan

England midfielder Jack Wilshere will seek to reignite his career away from Arsenal after agreeing a season-long loan move to Bournemouth.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has allowed Wilshere to go in search of first-team football elsewhere as he bids to get back on track following a series of injury setbacks that have seen him fall out of favour for club and country.

And the Cherries have taken full advantage, seeing off competition from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and West Ham to land the 24-year-old on deadline day.Roma and AC Milan were also reported to have shown an interest.

Wilshere made just three appearances in the Premier League during 2015-16 after suffering a broken leg during pre-season training. Granit Xhaka has since been preferred in the centre of midfield since the start of the season, with the England star coming off the bench in both Arsenal's clashes to date.

And despite attracting interest from the Serie A clubs after requesting a loan move, he will stay in the Premier League under Eddie Howe for the current campaign.

 

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Wenger: Mustafi ready to make instant Arsenal impact

Arsene Wenger is confident Shkodran Mustafi can provide a much-needed boost to Arsenal title efforts immediately after completing his switch from Valencia on Tuesday.Mustafi had long been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium during this transfer window, and Wenger finally got his man for a reported fee of £35million.

He joins an Arsenal squad currently shorn of Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker through injury, so Mustafi could be thrown straight into action after the international weekend when Wenger's men host Southampton.And Wenger has no doubt the 24-year-old is ready for his first taste of Premier League football.

"He is a very intelligent boy, that was important in my decision," the Frenchman told Arsenal Player. "He is very focused, and he knows the rigorous climate of the Premier League and how much you have to fight for every game."I know as well he is a player who can play with the ball as well. That is important for us, and all this quality made me decide to try and get him.

"The player wanted to join us as well, and I think he will hopefully be happy here and will enforce our squad. It puts us in a good position."The fact he decided to join us shows he was certainly conscious of what was expected of him.

"We will not have a bad surprise and that shows you as well that he is not scared to take a challenge on."

 

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OFFICIAL: Tottenham sign Sissoko

Tottenham have completed the signing of France international Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle United on a five-year deal.Sissoko, 27, had been vocal about his desire to leave the Magpies following their relegation from the Premier League and has now secured a move away from St. James' Park.It is understood Spurs, who fought off competition from Everton, have landed Sissoko for a fee believed to be worth up £30m.

In a message to Tottenham fans, Sissoko said: “I'm happy to be here. I will give everything and I hope we can win a lot of games and titles.”Sissoko has become the third new arrival at White Hart Lane on transfer deadline day, following the earlier signings of Georges-Kevin N'Koudou and Pau Lopez.

It initially appeared as though Sissoko was set to miss out on a move to Tottenham after Mauricio Pochettino's men reportedly had offer turned down by Newcastle earlier on Wednesday.

Everton looked to swoop in for Sissoko instead, only for Spurs to revive their interest late on and Sissoko opted to move to north London over Merseyside.Sissoko joined Newcastle from Toulouse in 2013 and scored 12 goals in over 130 appearances for the Toon in all competitions.

 

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Sissoko to Tottenham thawath hoda sign 1kak​

 

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OFFICIAL: Garay swaps Zenit for Valencia

Valencia managed to sign Argentina centre-back Ezequiel Garay from Zenit before the transfer window slammed shut on Wednesday.Garay arrives at the Mestalla on a contract that will keep him at the La Liga club until June 2020.

The 29-year-old became the second defender to join Valencia on Wednesday, following in the footsteps of Eliaquim Mangala after Shkodran Mustafi was sold to Arsenal.
No stranger to Spanish football after having made his name at Real Madrid and Racing Santander, Garay leaves Russia as a Premier League, Russian Cup and Super Cup winner.

Prior to that, Garay helped Portuguese giants Benfica to four trophies, and won the Copa del Rey with Madrid in 2010-11.

 

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Isco staying is great news for Madrid - Ramos

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said he is delighted team-mate Isco decided to stay put at the European champions.

Isco was linked with a deadline day move to either Tottenham or Malaga, but the 24-year-old Spain international midfielder ended up remaining at the Primera Division giants when the transfer window shut on Wednesday.

And after hearing that Isco will stay in the Spanish capital, Ramos expressed his satisfaction"Isco staying at Real Madrid is great news and makes me happy," Ramos said.

"We all know what type of player he is, what he is capable of, and he brings a lot to the team."Isco - nursing an injury - has fallen down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu, with coach Zinedine Zidane preferring youngster Marco Asensio in the starting XI.

The former Malaga man did come off the bench in Madrid's season-opening win at Real Sociedad, but he missed the victory over Celta Vigo due to injury.

 

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OFFICIAL: Stoke agree Martins Indi loan

Stoke City have made their third signing of transfer deadline day with a loan move for Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi.The Netherlands international follows Wilfried Bony and Lee Grant in arriving at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday, strengthening Mark Hughes squad for the 2016-17 campaign.

Martins Indi has opted to switch the Primeira Liga for the Premier League after two seasons with Porto, the 24-year-old having signed for a reported £6million fee in July 2014.

During his time in Portugal he made 71 appearances in all competitions, but the lure of the English top flight proved too much.Martins Indi's arrival comes as Stoke defender Philipp Wollscheid agreed a move away from the club, the 27-year-old joining Wolfsburg.

"We have been aware of Bruno for quite some time now, as many other clubs around Europe have been," Hughes said.

"He is a very accomplished defender who has a lot of experience at a very high level, including playing for Holland during their good run at the 2014 World Cup.
"He is a guy that we feel can come in and make an immediate impression, because he boasts all the attributes needed to perform at the top level of the Premier League."

 

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OFFICIAL: Chelsea sign defender Marcos Alonso

Chelsea have signed Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £23 million.

Former Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland left-back Alonso had been linked with a move to Chelsea late in the transfer window, though the Italian club denied such reports on Monday.However, Fiorentina announced the sale of the 25-year-old defender to the Premier League team on Wednesday, with Chelsea then later confirming the deal.

"I'm very happy. It's a step up in my career and I think this is the perfect place for me to continue developing. It's time for me to win some titles," Alonso told Chelsea's official website."It was an easy decision for me to make when I heard the club were interested in signing me.

"My family and close friends know Chelsea is the club I have dreamed about playing for so I'm really excited about the challenge and I'm looking forward to working with my new team-mates."The west London club have been looking to bolster their options at left-back following Baba Rahman's loan to Schalke this month.

Alonso will battle with compatriot Cesar Azpilicueta for the left-back berth, though the latter can also play at right-back.

 

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Cillessen: I thought Barca interest was a joke

Jasper Cillessen admits that he thought Barcelona's interest in signing him from Ajax was a joke.The Netherlands goalkeeper joined the Catalan giants last week, replacing Claudio Bravo, who joined Manchester City.

And as he settles into life at Camp Nou, Cillessen has revealed that he was stunned when he was told of the Liga club's interest."When my agent told me [about Barcelona's interest] I asked him if it was a joke," Cillessen told Barca TV.

"[I couldn't believe that] the best club in the world was interested in me."Now, as he vies for the number one role with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Cillessen has set his sights on Champions League glory.

"I want to win titles at Barcelona and I would like to be the goalkeeper that wins the Champions League as a starter," the 27-year-old added.

 

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Mkhitaryan gives Manchester United derby injury worry

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has handed Manchester United an injury scare ahead of next weekend's derby with Manchester City at Old Trafford after being substituted on international duty.Mkhitaryan hurt his knee in a collision with Marek Suchy during the first half of Armenia's friendly against Czech Republic on Wednesday and was duly taken off.

Armenia were 2-0 down at the time and Mkhitaryan's team-mates went down to a 3-0 defeat ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier against Denmark this Sunday.

The attacking midfielder is yet to start a competitive game since moving to United from Borussia Dortmund during the close-season, but his potential absence from the top-of-the-table clash is unlikely to improve Jose Mourinho's mood over his reunion with opposite number Pep Guardiola taking place immediately after the international break.

"Some [players] are coming back on the Monday before the Manchester City match, but some are coming back on Friday," he told MUTV."The day before Man City, we will still have Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia arriving."City's major concern centres around star striker Sergio Aguero and they must respond to a Football Association charge of violent conduct against the Argentina international on Thursday.

If Aguero is found guilty, after television replays appeared to show him elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid during a 3-1 win, last time out he faces a three-match ban that would commence with City's trip to their near neighbours.

 

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Get well soon Mkhitaryan!​

 

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Man City hope to overturn Aguero FA charge

Manchester City will contest the Football Association's charge of violent conduct against Sergio Aguero.Aguero had been cited for an alleged elbow on West Ham defender Winston Reid during Sunday's Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.The striker could face a ban, likely to be three games, if found guilty by the governing body, but City hope to overturn the charge altogether.

If the club are successful then they will have the Argentine available for their next game, the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on September 10.

The outcome will be decided at a hearing on Friday. It is understood Aguero is not in danger of being banned for an extra game as a result of a "frivolous" appeal.The FA outlined their decision making process in a statement on Tuesday."Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite match officials.

"Each panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence."For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous."

 

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Donnarumma becomes youngest goalkeeper to play for Italy

Gianluigi Donnarumma has become the youngest goalkeeper ever to appear for the Italy national team.

The 17-year-old replaced Juventus No.1 Gianluigi Buffon at half-time in the friendly meeting with France to break the record, and became the third youngest Italy international of all-time in the process.Remarkably, 38-year-old Buffon made his own debut two years before Donnarumma was born, on October 29, 1997.

Donnarumma, who plays his club football for AC Milan, also takes the honour of being the youngest player to feature for Italy for 105 years.

In 2015 he also broke the Milan record as youngest goalkeeper, making his Serie A debut against Sassuolo at the age of 16 and eight months. Donnarumma had been tipped to join Italy's Euro 2016 squad after a brilliant debut season, but he was ultimately overlooked by coach Antonio Conte.

New Azzurri boss Giampaolo Ventura, included the youngster in his first senior squad to face Italy and Israel, although he may have to bide his time in international colours as the evergreen Buffon continues as No. 1.

 

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Netherlands 1-2 Greece: Blind's men downed as Oranje problems continue

Greece defeated Netherlands for the first time, coming from behind to win 2-1 at the Philips Stadion and end the hosts' four-game unbeaten run.

Giannis Gianniotas grabbed the winner in the 74th minute to frustrate the home fans after Georginio Wijnaldum's opener had been cancelled out by Kostas Mitroglou levelling with an unchallenged header.

Both sides failed to qualify for Euro 2016, and begin their 2018 World Cup campaigns in the coming days; Netherlands travelling to Sweden, Greece to Gibraltar.

In Eindhoven, though, it was the visitors who looked best equipped to tackle their competitive fixtures, capitalising on a number of missed Netherlands chances in a fine counter-attacking display to leave Danny Blind to rue another disappointing setback.

Netherlands coach Blind has phased out senior figures Nigel de Jong and Robin van Persie over the past 12 months, while Arjen Robben remains out, but a starting line-up with an average age of under 25 could not make the most of their opportunities.

Wesley Sneijder, who appeared from the bench in the teams' last meeting in 2004, was back in the side and handed the captain's armband, but his creative talents were redundant in a scrappy opening 10 minutes.

However, Netherlands' frustration soon subsided as two of their recent star performers combined for the opener.

Tottenham forward Vincent Janssen was set free on the right, evaded the challenge of Georgios Tzavellas and centred for Wijnaldum to bundle the ball over the line, the third international in a row he has netted in.

Although Greece had offered little, Jeroen Zoet had to be alert to tip away Konstantinos Fortounis' 25-yard effort at full stretch but Zoet was helpless on the half-hour mark when Mitroglou reached Vasilis Torosidis' cross to nod an equaliser.

While Sneijder's firm drive then dipped wide, the Dutch players struggled to regain their lost momentum before the interval.

Janssen tried his luck from the edge of the area shortly after the break, but substitute keeper Stefanos Kapino clawed away from the top corner.As Janssen bore down on goal again, Kyriakos Papadopoulos brilliantly intercepted with a last-ditch challenge, before the forward curled agonisingly wide of the far post.

And Netherlands were punished when Jeffrey Bruma's loose control saw the ball land at Mitroglou's feet, who drove forward in search of his second and shot at goal.

Zoet saved, but Gianniotas was on hand to lash in the rebound.There were several heated exchanges in the closing minutes as Blind's men sought an equaliser, but Greece held on for a famous win.

 

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Portugal 5-0 Gibraltar: European champions ease to victory

Nani proved a capable deputy for absent captain Cristiano Ronaldo as he struck twice to help Portugal start life as reigning European champions with a 5-0 victory over Gibraltar in a friendly at the Estadio do Bessa XXI.

With Ronaldo left out of the squad having not played a minute since a knee injury forced him off in the Euro 2016 final victory over France, Nani took the armband and led by example with a pair of well-taken efforts, one either side of half-time.

Debutant Joao Cancelo capped a solid appearance by rattling an effort in off the bar with 17 minutes remaining, and Bernardo Silva got in on the act with a bobbling effort that was let through by the hapless substitute Gibraltar keeper Jamie Robba.

A header from Pepe gave the scoreline the emphatic gloss it deserved, but Gibraltar have cause for concern ahead of their maiden World Cup qualifying campaign having failed to contain the hosts despite deploying a five-man defence.
Portugal quickly took charge of the match and, after Eder spurned a pair of early chances, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.

Joao Mario's mishit after Gibraltar failed to adequately clear a corner was hooked to the back post by Bruno Alves, and Nani added the finishing touch with a side-footed volley.

Eder managed to blaze high and wide after receiving a cutback from Joao Mario eight yards out and he then turned Nani's cross onto the upright eight minutes before the break, though Ryan Casciaro may have got the final touch.The onslaught continued after the break as Nani scooped over after a corner fell to him within one minute of the restart and Bernardo Silva forced a save from Robba.

The second goal finally came when the pair combined as Bernardo Silva supplied an excellent delivery following a short corner, which Nani guided into the far corner with a header after 55 minutes.

Debutant Andre Silva – wearing Ronaldo's trademark number seven shirt – showed composure in the box to tee up Joao Mario for a shot that was blocked on the line by Scott Wiseman, and the Inter midfielder then saw a cross-cum-shot bounce behind off the bar ahead of the hour-mark.

Porto striker Andre Silva supplied a clever pass on the right-hand side of the box which Joao Cancelo thumped in off the underside of the bar with 73 minutes gone, and Bernardo Silva joined in three minutes later when his tame effort squirmed beyond Robba.

Pepe extended the winning margin further when he rose at the back post to head another cross from Bernardo Silva into the opposite corner, handing Fernando Santos’ men a boost ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier against Switzerland on Tuesday.

 

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Belgium 0-2 Spain: Silva double gives Lopetegui debut victory

Julen Lopetegui's leadership of Spain got off to a winning start with a comfortable 2-0 friendly win against Belgium in Brussels on Thursday, with David Silva scoring a brace.

Belgium were also playing under a new coach - Roberto Martinez having replaced Marc Wilmots after Euro 2016 - but they struggled to create clear openings at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Silva gave Spain the lead in the first half, finishing well from inside the box after Vitolo did well down the right wing, before the Manchester City playmaker added a second after the break.Vitolo was fouled by a struggling Jordan Lukaku in the penalty area and Silva made no mistake from 12 yards, converting a caressed spot-kick with ease.

It was not all good news for Lopetegui, however, as Spain's preparations for their opening World Cup qualifying match with Liechtenstein on Monday were hit by an injury to Alvaro Morata.Belgium get their campaign under way in Cyprus the following day and Martinez will demand an improvement on this flat performance.

An early mistake by David de Gea almost presented Belgium with the opener in the sixth minute, but Axel Witsel shot wide after the Manchester United goalkeeper fumbled Eden Hazard's cross.

Thiago Alcantara had Spain's first sight of goal after 19 minutes but he got his volley all wrong and it bounced harmlessly wide of Thibaut Courtois' left-hand post.

Spain were dealt a blow when Morata limped off with a suspected hamstring injury, with Diego Costa replacing the Real Madrid forward.Despite the loss of Morata, the visitors took the lead after 33 minutes.

Vitolo beat Courtois to a throughball down the right channel and pulled a low cross back for Costa to divert to Silva, who applied the finish via a deflection off Thomas Meunier.Spain had the ball in the net again after 38 minutes when Vitolo volleyed in a right-wing corner, but referee Benoit Bastien spotted an infringement and disallowed the goal.

Lopetegui's men began the second half with the same purpose they had shown in the first period, with Courtois making a fine save to keep out a Gerard Pique header from Koke's free-kick.

Costa was then denied Spain's second goal by his Chelsea team-mate Courtois after 56 minutes, the goalkeeper thrusting out a leg to block the striker's shot.But Courtois could do nothing to stop Spain doubling their lead shortly after when Lukaku brought down Vitolo in the box.

Silva stepped up to send Courtois the wrong way and give Spain the extended advantage their dominance deserved, with Koke fizzing a late chance for a third wide of the post.

Belgium almost scored a consolation with seven minutes to play, but De Gea tipped a deflected Kevin De Bruyne drive over the crossbar.

 

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Welldone!

Spanish revolution

Congratulations Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

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Italy 1-3 France: Les Bleus ruin Ventura's Azzurri bow

Giampiero Ventura suffered defeat in his first game in charge of Italy as his side slipped to a 3-1 loss at the hands of France in an international friendly on Thursday.

The Azzurri fell behind to an Anthony Martial strike in the first half but replied four minutes later through Graziano Pelle.However, France restored their lead moments later when Arsenal marksman Olivier Giroud found the back of the net in Bari.

And Italy, who handed a senior debut to 17-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma, were unable to rally under new boss Ventura as Layvin Kurzawa wrapped up a morale-boosting win for France on the 81st minute.

Pelle volleyed wide from Antonio Candreva's corner inside the opening two minutes as Italy made the brighter start, but France weathered the early spell of pressure and began to probe for an opening.

Ventura, who replaced Antonio Conte as Italy boss after Euro 2016, lined his side up with Fiorentina's Davide Astori in a back three that was missing Leonardo Bonucci due to the Juventus player's family commitments, and a mistake from Andrea Barzagli allowed Martial to score easily after 17 minutes.

Paul Pogba tried an ambitious pass down the right that Barzagli should have dealt with easily, but the Juventus defender misjudged it and allowed Martial to race clear and slide a low, side-footed finish under Buffon and into the net.

France were ahead for less than five minutes, however, as Eder outpaced Kurzawa down the right and crossed to Pelle, who took a touch to control the ball before spinning past Raphael Varane and firing beyond Steve Mandanda with brilliant skill.

But France exposed Italy's defensive frailties again just before the half-hour mark when the home side failed to clear Antoine Griezmann's corner and Kurzawa headed the ball down into the path of Giroud, who volleyed the ball into the corner of the net before his markers could react.

Second-half substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac flashed a shot just wide when Djibril Sidibe's pass found him in yards of space on the edge of the box, before Riccardo Montolivo drew a good save from Mandanda at the other end with a swerving 30-yard drive.

Stadio San Nicola saw a piece of history when Donnarumma replaced the country's most-capped player, Gianluigi Buffon, and became the youngest goalkeeper to represent the national team, but the rookie was at fault when Kurzawa beat him at his near post to make it 3-1.

The Milan shot-stopper was alert to block Kurzawa's 77th minute cross with Gignac waiting to pounce, but he guessed wrong when the Paris Saint-Germain full-back got a second chance, diving away from his goal as the ball flashed between him and the post.

It was a harsh lesson for the inexperienced goalkeeper, but he spared himself further blushes when he made a good save from Pogba's awkwardly bouncing 25-yard free-kick.

France's victory extended their fine record on Italian soil ahead of facing Belarus next Tuesday, whereas Italy will look to bounce back when they face Israel on Monday as both sides get their World Cup qualifying campaigns up and running.

 

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Ecuador 0-3 Brazil: Neymar & Gabriel Jesus make the difference in Tite's debut

Neymar and Gabriel Jesus led Brazil to a long-awaited qualifying win in Quito, securing a 3-0 victory over Ecuador.

Barcelona star Neymar struck from the penalty spot before Gabriel Jesus netted a brace on debut on Thursday.

It marked a first ever qualifying win in the altitude of the Ecuador capital for Brazil, who were led by Tite for the first time.Juan Carlos Paredes saw red for the hosts not long after Neymar's opener as Brazil claimed an important win.

Gabriel Jesus, who will join Manchester City at the start of next year, struck twice after that to complete a stunning debut.

With the victory, Brazil moved briefly into fourth in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings.