Connect with us

Sports

Albert Gronbaek: Southampton sign Danish midfielder on loan from Rennes

Published

on

Premier League strugglers Southampton have signed Denmark international midfielder Albert Gronbaek on loan.

The 23-year-old, who has six senior Danish caps, moves to St Mary’s from Ligue 1 club Rennes.

Gronbaek will spend the remainder of the 2024-25 season at Southampton, subject to international clearance.

He told the club website, external: “I’m just so excited. It’s a big club and I think the playing style is suiting me very well, so I’m just very pleased to be here.

Advertisement

“The facilities are very good and the stadium looks incredible. It’s even bigger and better when you come in person, so I’m just so excited to play there. I’m proud to be here.”

Gronbaek only joined Rennes from Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt last summer in a 12m euros deal (£10m), but scored just two goals in 18 appearances for the French side.

He becomes the second player to join Southampton in this transfer window, following the confirmation of Brazilian defender Welington’s arrival from Sao Paulo.

But the pair face a tough ask to help drag Ivan Juric’s side out of danger as they sit bottom of the Premier League.

Advertisement

Southampton have just six points from their first 22 league games and are 10 points from safety.

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Iceland goalkeeper Ivarsdottir joins Rangers

Published

on

Iceland goalkeeper Telma Ivarsdottir joins Rangers after leaving her homeland’s league champions, Breidablik.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Diego Carlos: Fenerbahce agree deal with Aston Villa for Brazilian centre-back

Published

on

Turkish side Fenerbahce have agreed a deal with Aston Villa to sign centre-back Diego Carlos.

The Brazilian, who joined Villa from Sevilla in 2022, confirmed on social media on Tuesday he was on his way to Istanbul.

Fenerbahce are reportedly paying 10m euros (£8.45m), external for the 31-year-old.

Carlos made 58 appearances for Villa and scored one goal, but he has not been involved in the club’s past five games.

Advertisement

Writing on X, Fenerbahce said: “Our club has reached an agreement in principle with the club for the transfer of Diego Carlos, who plays for Aston Villa.

“The Brazilian player has been invited to Istanbul for health checks and to further the transfer negotiations.”

Fenerbahce – managed by Jose Mourinho – are second in the Turkish Super Lig table, six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

Meanwhile, Villa missed the chance to all but secure their place in the Champions League knockouts as they were beaten 1-0 by Monaco on Tuesday.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Emery hints at players lacking right mentality after Monaco loss

Published

on

Watch Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to the media following their loss at Monaco in the Champions League.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Luke Littler and Ronnie O’Sullivan in full agreement over long-held debate between darts and snooker

Published

on

Luke Littler has weighed in on the debate between snooker’s 147 break and darts’ nine-dart finish on his 18th birthday, siding with seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The teenage darts sensation, who recently claimed victory over Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, believes achieving a maximum break in snooker requires more skill than a perfect leg in darts.


The discussion has long divided fans of both sports, with Littler becoming the latest high-profile figure to favour snooker’s ultimate achievement.

“I think it has to be a 147,” Littler told Sport. “I don’t know the rules of snooker. What is it?

Advertisement
Luke Littler Ronnie O'Sullivan

Luke Littler

“You pot a red ball, you pot a coloured ball, and you just go over and over again. It’s really hard. I’d say a 147 is a lot harder.”

A maximum break requires a player to successfully pot 36 consecutive balls, alternating between red and black before clearing the colours.

O’Sullivan echoed these sentiments when questioned by darts legend Raymond van Barneveld in 2023.

Advertisement

“The 147 must be harder, I think,” O’Sullivan said.

“I think what you guys do on a dartboard and the way you make it look so easy is just unbelievable, so total respect to you guys.”

The snooker champion elaborated: “Maybe the 147 might be slightly harder, just because it’s 36 shots and you’ve got only nine to do.

“We have to do four times the amount of work that you do.”

Advertisement

Statistics support the frequency of both achievements, with 210 recognised maximum breaks in snooker compared to 96 televised nine-dart finishes.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler has already hit a nine-darter – doing so at last year’s Bahrain Masters and Belgian Open

PA

Advertisement

Both sports have seen a dramatic increase in perfect performances in recent years.

The 1980s witnessed just eight 147 breaks in snooker, while 55 have been achieved since 2020.

Similarly in darts, only two nine-dart finishes were recorded between 1984 and 2001, yet 42 have been televised in this decade alone.

LATEST SPORT NEWS:

Advertisement
Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan has made 15 maximums – more than any other professional player

PA

Littler’s perspective carries particular weight given his own mastery of the nine-dart finish.

Advertisement

The teenage star has already demonstrated his prowess by achieving perfect legs at both the Bahrain Masters and Belgian Open last year.

His success continued into the World Championship, where he witnessed two other players accomplish nine-dart finishes during the tournament.

This first-hand experience with darts’ highest achievement makes his endorsement of snooker’s 147 as the greater feat especially noteworthy.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Borussia Dortmund: Can Nuri Sahin survive another Dortmund sdefeat?

Published

on

After another defeat and just seven months into his reign at Borussia Dortmund, is manager Nuri Sahin already on the brink of losing his job?

Dortmund are 10th in the Bundesliga, 20 points behind leaders Bayern Munich and seven away from Stuttgart who are fourth.

They would have gone third in the Champions League table on Tuesday but they conceded two goals in two minutes against Bologna to lose their fourth consecutive game of 2025.

Dortmund have now lost four consecutive matches in all competitions, something that has only happened to the club once (six in a row in March and April 2000) in the past 30 years.

Advertisement

The defeat means Dortmund are 13th and must get a result against Shakhtar Donetsk in their final league phase game to have the chance to qualify automatically for the knockouts.

For the first time in the competition, the German side have lost multiple games after scoring the opening goal.

Former manager Edin Terzic, who guided them to the Champions League final last season, departed the club in June when he felt “the club’s new era should begin with a new man on the touchline”.

Turkish boss Sahin, who started his career at Dortmund and played more than 250 games for the club, was chosen as that man but the club’s season has spiralled with inconsistent performances and defeats.

Advertisement

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has already been linked, external with taking over should Sahin get sacked.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Novak Djokovic throws Australian Open future into doubt immediately after Carlos Alcaraz victory

Published

on

Novak Djokovic has cast doubt on his future at the Australian Open just moments after coming back to beat Carlos Alcaraz.

The 37-year-old had to overcome injury to down the 2024 Wimbledon champion, eventually claiming a 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 win in Melbourne to reach the semi-final.


“It was possibly one of the best matches of the tournament on the men’s side,” said Djokovic.

“It felt like a final of a Slam and I wish it was. We both gave it our all.”

Advertisement
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has thrown doubt over his future at the Australian Open

Eurosport

However, having limped around Rod Laver Arena due to a problem with his left leg, the Serbian has raised doubts over his future at the tournament despite gunning for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

Advertisement

Having played through the injury aggressively, Djokovic addressed his physical concerns and admitted he nearly retired from the match.

“Well since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much obviously,” he started.

“But yeah, the medication started to kick in and that helped, no doubt. I had to take another dose. This sounds awful! Me taking another dose. But I had to.

“I didn’t know, to be honest, if I lost the second set I didn’t know if I would continue playing.

Advertisement

JUST IN:Luke Littler and Ronnie O’Sullivan in full agreement over darts-snooker debate

“But I felt better and better, managed to play a great couple of games to end the second set.

“And then I saw that Carlos was hesitant a little bit from the back of the court and I took my chances and started to feel better, started to move better.

“So it didn’t bother me, it didn’t create any hindrance towards the end of the match, only in that second set.

Advertisement

READ MORE:England captain Jos Buttler reveals blunt reason for Afghanistan boycott rejection

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic let loose with a roar after winning against Carlos Alcaraz

Reuters

Advertisement

“Obviously when the medication starts to release, I’ll see what the reality is tomorrow morning. But right now I’ll just try to be in the moment and enjoy this victory,” he said, suggesting that Friday’s semi-final might be touch and go.

Having played through the pain barrier, Djokovic started to move more freely by the third set to take control of the tie.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, grew more and more frustrated after losing momentum before losing a truly epic clash that lasted three hours and 38 minutes.

LATEST SPORT NEWS:

Advertisement
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic had to play through the pain barrier to defeat Carlos Alcaraz

Reuters

After claiming victory, Djokovic roared in the direction of Andy Murray, who has been employed as the seventh seed’s coach for the Australian Open this year.

Advertisement

Djokovic, who has won the Australian Open a record 10 times, has a much-needed day off before returning to court to face Alexander Zrevev on Friday in the semi-final.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Slot praises 'special' Salah after Liverpool win

Published

on

Arne Slot praises Mohammed Salah after he scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool in the 2-1 win over Lille at Anfield.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Teenager arrested over social media comments directed towards Kai Havertz and wife Sophia

Published

on

A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with abusive social media messages sent to Arsenal forward Kai Havertz’s pregnant wife following the club’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

The teenager from St Albans was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications, Hertfordshire Police confirmed on Tuesday.


The teen has since been released on bail while police enquiries continue into the threatening messages sent to Sophia Havertz on Instagram.

The incident occurred after Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round exit to Manchester United on January 12 at the Emirates Stadium.

Advertisement
Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz was abused after United beat Arsenal in the FA Cup earlier this month

Reuters

Havertz, 25, missed a crucial penalty in the shootout defeat, having also squandered an opportunity to win the match during normal time.

Advertisement

His spot-kick was saved by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, leading to Arsenal’s elimination from the competition.

The abusive messages were sent to Sophia Havertz on Instagram in the hours following the match.

Sophia Havertz shared screenshots of the vile messages she received, which included threats about the couple’s unborn child.

One Instagram user wrote “I hope you have a miscarriage,” while another message contained threats to “slaughter” their child.

Advertisement

LATEST SPORT NEWS:

Sophia, who has half a million followers on Instagram, responded by urging people to be “more respectful.”

“For anyone to think it’s okay to write something like this is so shocking to me. I hope you are so ashamed of yourself,” she wrote.

Arsenal responded by hiring data technology firm Signify to help determine the identity of those responsible for the abuse.

Advertisement

JUST IN: Lewis Hamilton dons Ferrari colours for the first time

Sophia Havertz

Sophia Havertz (centre) posted the abusive messages on social media

PA

Advertisement

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called for decisive action against online abuse earlier this month, saying: “It’s incredible, honestly. We really have to do something about it, because accepting that and hiding this has terrible consequences.”

“It’s something we have to eradicate from the game because it’s so cynical and dependent to a result of an action. There is no other industry like this,” he added.

Kai and Sophia Havertz have been in a relationship since 2018.

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic throws Australian Open future into doubt immediately after Carlos Alcaraz victory

Advertisement
Kai Havertz

A teenager has been arrested for sending messages to Kai Havertz

Reuters

The couple announced their engagement in summer 2023 before getting married later that year.

Advertisement

In November 2023, they revealed they were expecting their first child together.

Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea in a £65million move in 2023 and has scored 27 goals in 80 appearances for the north London club.

His teammate Leandro Trossard recently defended him, saying: “He is so good for us, not just in terms of scoring but he helps us get up the pitch too.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Mason Greenwood quits England to pledge allegiance to another country after FA promise

Published

on

Mason Greenwood has switched his international allegiance from England to Jamaica after the Football Association made it clear he would never be considered for selection again.

The 23-year-old Marseille striker has completed the necessary paperwork to represent the Reggae Boys, having qualified through his Jamaican-born father.


The former Manchester United forward won his solitary England cap in 2020 but can change nationality as that appearance came before he turned 21.

The FA’s stance came following Greenwood’s suspension from football three years ago, when he was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Advertisement
Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood has pledged his allegiance to Jamaica

Getty

The charges were subsequently dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, with Greenwood denying all allegations.

Advertisement

Despite rebuilding his career at Getafe and now Marseille, FA bosses decided against future England selection, citing concerns over the adverse publicity it would generate.

Steve McClaren, the former England manager, now leads the Jamaican national team that Greenwood will join.

The switch comes after Greenwood completed all necessary paperwork to be eligible for selection by Jamaica.

The striker was once viewed as a potential successor to England’s current number nine Harry Kane, but will now forge a new international path with the Caribbean nation.

Advertisement

JUST IN: Lewis Hamilton dons Ferrari colours for the first time

Steve McClaren

Jamaica boss Steve McClaren is keen to get Mason Greenwood in his squad

PA

Advertisement

Greenwood joined Marseille from Manchester United last summer in a £27m transfer deal.

The forward has flourished in French football, scoring 12 goals to become the leading scorer in Ligue 1 this season.

Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has praised his star striker, saying: “He’s just exceptional. He’s a great player and it shows. I’m happy to see him score to end all the controversy in the media.”

LATEST SPORT NEWS:

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Football gossip: Cunha, Garnacho, Kerkez, Ait-Nouri, Mitchell, Antony, Dibling, Rashford

Published

on

Nottingham Forest make Matheus Cunha their top January target, Arsenal also showing firm interest in Wolves forward, Chelsea to hold more talks over Alejandro Garnacho.

Nottingham Forest have made Wolves and Brazil forward Matheus Cunha their top January target in the push for Champions League qualification. (Mail) , external

Arsenal have also shown firm interest in signing 25-year-old Cunha in the January transfer window. (Fichajes), external

Chelsea are set to hold more talks with Manchester United over Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, who is valued at £50m. (Telegraph – subscription required) , external

Advertisement

United have made enquiries for Bournemouth and Hungary’s Milos Kerkez, 21, Wolves and Algeria’s Rayan Ait-Nouri, 23, and Crystal Palace and England’s Tyrick Mitchell, 25, as Ruben Amorim prioritises signing a left wing-back. (The i), external

West Ham are keen to back new manager Graham Potter with new additions at centre-back and centre-forward before the transfer deadline on 3 February. (Football Insider) , external

Chelsea are demanding at least £70m before allowing France striker Christopher Nkunku, 27, to join Bayern Munich. (Sky Sports), external

Manchester United and Brazil winger Antony, 24, is close to completing a loan move to Real Betis. (Sky Sports) , external

Advertisement

Tottenham and RB Leipzig are the two main clubs trying to sign Southampton’s 18-year-old English midfielder Tyler Dibling. (Sky Germany), external

Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are both pushing to sign Chelsea and Portugal defender Renato Veiga, 21, who is available for either loan or a permanent move. (Times), external

Marseille are the latest club to express an interest in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 27. (L’Equipe), external

However Rashford’s favoured destination is Barcelona, who have freed up funds which would allow them to sign the England international. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Advertisement

Ligue 1 side Monaco are also interested in Rashford and could afford his £315,000-a-week wages in a loan deal. (Sun), external

Fulham have enquired about AC Milan and Brazil defender Emerson Royal, 26, who will be available if the Italian club sign England full-back Kyle Walker, 34, from Manchester City. (Times), external

Manchester City have a verbal agreement with La Liga club Real Valladolid to sign Sierra Leonean centre-back Juma Bah, 18. (Fabrizio Romano), external

France’s former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, 31, says he has rejected an offer to return to football from a club in Russia. (Twitch), external

Advertisement

Derby County have rejected a bid from Brighton for former Republic of Ireland Under-21 centre-back Eiran Cashin, 23. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic are unlikely to match Aston Villa‘s asking price for English forward Louis Barry, 21, after having a £10m bid rejected. (Football Insider), external

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 WordupNews