German club FC Schalke 04 have strengthened their attack with the signing of Austrian forward Junior Adamu from SC Freiburg.
The 25-year-old has signed a long-term contract that will keep him at the club until June 2029 as Schalke continue to build their squad for the new season.
Adamu arrives with experience at both club and international level. He has made nine appearances for the Austrian national team and is expected to bring pace, energy and versatility to Schalke’s attack.
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The striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic FC, where he enjoyed a successful spell.
During his time in Scotland, Adamu helped Celtic win the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish Cup, adding more trophies to his career.
Schalke will be hoping that his quality and winning experience can help the team achieve its goals in the coming season.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens responded to Jerry Jones’ comments about his future with the franchise.
On Tuesday, Jones had high praise for Pickens. He also highlighted the possibility of him playing for the Cowboys for the rest of his NFL career. Pickens expressed his appreciation for those kind words on Thursday.
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“Super excited,” Pickens said. “I’m always super happy when someone thinks highly of me, so shout out to Jerry.”
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The Cowboys acquired George Pickens via a trade with the Steelers in May 2025. In 17 games, he posted an impressive 1,429 yards on 93 receptions and nine touchdowns. There was a lot of chatter about a potential contract extension following his performance.
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However, in February, the Cowboys placed a franchise tag on him. Pickens signed the $27.3 million franchise tag in April. While speaking about the wide receiver, Jerry Jones said that he expects great things from Pickens in 2026.
“He’s a valued part of our aspirations and our potential success,” Jones said. “I hope that he comes out here and is the most prolific, successful receiver in the NFL this year. And how would you like to be a free agent and with his credentials and step out there and have a year like that? I wish all of that because if that happens, that (would be) good for us.
“This can be a very win-win thing that we’ve done here, us and George being on the team. Make no mistake about it, George could be a Cowboy for the rest of his career and that’d be a long time. Make no mistake about it. This (franchise tag) just fit for us and thank goodness it fit for him and we got it done.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Pickens with the No. 52 pick in 2022. In three seasons, he recorded 2,841 yards on 174 receptions and 21 TDs.
Dak Prescott “excited” to play alongside George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb in the 2026 season
Dak Prescott has already built a rapport with CeeDee Lamb over the past few years. Last season, he also built chemistry with George Pickens, providing him with more help on offense.
On Thursday, Prescott was questioned about his strategy heading into Year 2 with Lamb and Pickens by his side.
“It’s exciting. They help me be comfortable,” Prescott said. “Those guys are ridiculous in their ability to get one, ability to win in one-on-one. Right now, it’s just about continuing to communicate about the zones and where they need to be in certain timings. … They’re just a complement to this whole offense.”
The Cowboys play the New York Giants on the road in their season-opener on Sept. 13.
NEW DELHI: A 17-year-old aspiring woman cricketer allegedly died by suicide in Nagpur after reportedly being upset over not getting selected for a higher-level team. The incident came to light on Thursday morning in Laxmi Nagar under the Bajaj Nagar police station area. The deceased, Aditi Chaukhande, was originally from Akola and lived in Nagpur with her mother and elder brother. Her father works as a civil contractor in Akola.Aditi had recently passed her Class 12 examinations.According to police, Aditi was training as a cricketer along with her elder brother, Prabal, who is also an upcoming player.On Wednesday night, after having dinner with her mother, Aditi went to her room and allegedly died by suicide. Her brother was out of town at the time of the incident.
Suicide note recovered
Police said a suicide note was recovered from the room. In the note, Aditi reportedly spoke about her disappointment over not being selected and expressed her wish that her parents would be made proud.“Dada, you play so well. You will become very big. Make our parents proud. I am sad I couldn’t be selected,” the note read, according to police.
Police begin investigation
Senior Inspector Chetan Chauhan said the initial investigation suggests the teenager was upset over not being selected for a higher-level cricket team.“The victim seems to have taken the drastic step due to disappointment over not getting selected in a big team,” said senior inspector Chetan Chauhan.Police have registered an accidental death case and are investigating the matter further.
Jul 30, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) scores on a RBI single hit by first baseman Sal Stewart (not pictured) in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Nathaniel Lowe legged out a fielder’s choice on a chopper up the middle to drive in Elly De La Cruz as the host Cincinnati Reds ground out a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
De La Cruz led off the ninth by roping a double to left field against Gregory Soto (5-3). After Sal Stewart was intentionally walked, JJ Bleday struck out and Tyler Stephenson walked to load the bases.
With the infield drawn in, the Pirates got the force at second, but Lowe beat the relay throw to first to bring home the winning run.
De La Cruz had three doubles, two steals, two runs and an RBI, while Dane Myers added two hits for the Reds.
Emilio Pagan (3-1) earned the win after allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
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Brandon Lowe hit a solo home run, and Nick Gonzales went 2-for-4 with a double and a run for the Pirates.
Cincinnati opened the scoring in the third. Matt McLain led off the frame with a single, and De La Cruz followed with an RBI double to center.
One batter later, De La Cruz raced home from second on Stewart’s single for a 2-0 lead.
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The Pirates cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fifth inning. Gonzales doubled down the right-field line, advanced to third on Endy Rodriguez’s single and scored on Jacob Gonzalez’s sacrifice fly.
Lowe tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth inning with his 23rd home run of the season.
In the seventh, Rodriguez and pinch hitter Jared Triolo drew walks with one out, and after Jhostynxon Garcia struck out, Jake Mangum was hit by a pitch. But Nathaniel Lowe was rung up on a check swing to end the threat.
In the bottom of the inning, the Reds also loaded the bases with one out. But Eugenio Suarez’s one-hop grounder to Gonzales started a 5-4-3 double play.
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Pittsburgh starter Yohan Ramirez allowed one hit, walked one and struck out four over two innings. Reds starter Rhett Lowder surrendered two runs on five hits, walked none and struck out five in six innings.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti took the stage in Chicago and spoke about some of the biggest issues in the college football landscape.
They remain committed to a bad idea for the sport.
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin and ‘Locked On Badgers’ host Ryan Harings.
Luke Fickell faces a seriously hot seat this Fall; will their final record save his job?
Illinois is resetting at QB following the departure of Luke Altmyer, who Kaytin Houser has replaced.
Will Bret Bielema surprise everyone and make this the year the Illini push for a Playoff bid?
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00:00 Tony Pettiti on 24-team playoff 04:47 Discussing a 2014 playoff proposal 06:40 Discussing NCAA tournament and Big Ten scheduling 13:15 Badgers vs. Penn State matchup 16:18 College football team analysis 17:22 Badgers’ tough schedule analysis 22:08 Big Ten vs. SEC rivalry discussion 24:43 Evaluating Duke as a key matchup 30:26 Discussing Illinois team’s potential record
Sassuolo have agreed to pay Hellas Verona £10m plus future add-ons for Scotland striker Kieron Bowie, while the 23-year-old has agreed a five-year-contract with the Serie A club. (Daily Record)
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Rangers are in talks with Al Taawoun about an initial loan move to the Saudi Pro League for 27-year-old winger Nedim Bajrami that could eventually be worth £2.5m. (Scottish Sun)
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Rangers have accepted an offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun for winger Nedim Bajrami. (Dakir Mohamed Thanveer on X)
Rangers are no longer pursuing 20-year-old Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl as manager Derek McInnes targets a right winger instead. (Daily Record)
Rangers are still targeting two additions in defence and plan to add two wingers who can operate from the right, but another addition in centre midfield is not a current priority. (Rangers Review)
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Bologna are set to meet with Lewis Ferguson to iron out his future at the club with new head coach Domenico Tedesco keen to retain the 26-year-old Scotland midfielder amid interest from Rangers and clubs around Europe. (Il Resto del Carlino)
Boca Juniors have received an offer of £900,000 from Houston Dynamo for 60% of the rights to Marcelo Saracchi, the 27-year-old left-back who spent last season on loan to Celtic. (El Intransigente)
Dundee head coach Steven Pressley says it would have been wrong to hold Aaron Donnelly back from his move to Dunfermline Athletic despite admitting it leaves him short in defence against Celtic on Monday as he had told the 23-year-old defender he was not in his plans. (The Courier)
Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Forest Green Rovers head coach Duncan Ferguson, who spent the summer in New York as a TV pundit at the World Cup, feels ready to return to football management. (Press & Journal)
The rules are simple. Each day there’s a new footballer and the challenge is to guess who they are in as few attempts as possible.
After each wrong guess, you unlock a new clue. The fewer clues you need to get the right answer, the more points you score.
Three is a good score, four or five points is exceptional.
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So take part and return for more tomorrow.
Today’s player and clues set by BBC Sport’s Joe Rindl.
After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.
Trainer Matt Smith is adopting a patient approach with Millie De Lune, hopeful the talented mare can put a frustrating injury setback behind her when she resumes at Rosehill on Saturday.
The daughter of Puissance De Lune returns in the Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1400m), her first start since suffering a tendon injury that interrupted what had promised to be an exciting staying career.
Millie De Lune showcased her potential with a middle-distance victory at Randwick in June 2025 before earning a start in the Winx Guineas, where she finished midfield.
While Smith isn’t expecting her to be winning first-up, he believes the mare has the ability to make her mark once she gets over longer distances later in the preparation.
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“It’s just a starting point,” Smith said. “She had a tendon injury. It was very minor, but it took ages to heal. Everything has been good so far, so touch wood. “She is a really nice mare and when she gets up over a trip to 2000, 2400 (metres), she will be good.”
Jay Ford has been booked to ride Millie De Lune, who is one of up to five Rosehill runners for the stable.
Smith will also saddle Anythink Goes in the Congratulations Siena Grima Handicap (2000m), while Astero and World Alliance contest the NSW Jockeys Association Handicap (1300m).
Winston Hills is currently an emergency and requires one more scratching to gain a start.
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Smith’s confidence around Astero has been tempered by a wide barrier draw and the prospect of a drying track, despite being pleased with the veteran’s recent work.
He is more optimistic about World Alliance, who has had little luck this campaign but is capable of producing a strong finish if the race is run to suit.
The gelding was unlucky in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton and had previously produced two encouraging Sydney performances, including a third behind Istolea Merc at Canterbury.
“He’s one of those horses that’s always going to be a bit unlucky because he gets back and runs on,” Smith said. “He has been unlucky a couple of runs this prep. He probably should have won at Canterbury. But if the speed is there, he can be finishing over the top of them.”
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David Gray has gone from being slated to serenaded by Hibernian fans in the space of seven days.
Make no mistake, the head coach was under pressure after his side’s torrid display in Kosovo last week.
Supporters who had travelled to eastern Europe made it abundantly clear what they thought of their team’s 2-0 first-leg defeat by Malisheva with their Conference League hopes on the brink.
The head coach stressed the result – and the manner of it – were unacceptable, but the only way to answer doubters is on the park.
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In the second half at Easter Road on Thursday, with Hibs four goals to the good on the night and on their way to an aggregate victory, Gray’s name was sung to the rafters.
His iconic status is untouchable. That’s what a winning goal in a Scottish Cup final win does, but these chants were not for his Hampden heroics as a player, rather for the way his team had responded to adversity.
They flew out of the blocks, led by the evergreen Martin Boyle, and had wiped out the two-goal deficit within 15 minutes.
By the time Boyle danced past several bewildered defenders and made it 4-0, it seemed as though Hibs could do no wrong.
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Yes, there was a drop-off in the last 20 minutes and Malisheva got a goal back, but Gray wanted to focus on the positives post-match.
“We spoke about the intensity we want to play at, the intent from the start to play forward, run forward and get the crowd behind us,” he said.
“I saw it in training and they fully deserved to win tonight. We should have been out of sight, we hit the woodwork a couple of times and missed three or four big chances.
“That goal at the end made it a little bit edgy but at the same time, the players deserved what they got tonight. Delighted for them.”
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Gray was asked if there was a sense of relief after last week and he admitted the enjoyment he takes from winning is only fleeting.
“It’s different for a coach winning games to being a player,” he said. “Relief kicks in and then it’s the next game.
“You enjoy it for two minutes and then on to the next one.”
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan narrowly missed out on making history after winning the bronze medal in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Nigerian sprint hurdler crossed the finish line in 12.60 seconds to place third, ending her quest for a third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the event.
The gold medal went to Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas, who delivered an outstanding performance to win the race in 12.33 seconds. Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds finished second to claim the silver medal with a time of 12.41 seconds.
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Amusan had looked set for another title after producing a brilliant display in the heats, where she clocked a wind-assisted 12.19 seconds. The time was the fastest ever recorded in Commonwealth Games history under any conditions and made her one of the favourites for the final.
However, she could not reproduce that speed in the medal race and had to settle for bronze.
Although she fell short of retaining her title, Amusan’s latest podium finish adds another major international medal to her impressive career and boosts Nigeria’s medal count at the Games.
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The African champion remains one of the continent’s finest athletes, with consistent performances on the global stage. Her bronze medal once again highlights her ability to compete among the world’s best, even as her bid for a historic third straight Commonwealth Games crown came to an end.
Jul 30, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso (10) shoots a free throw against the Connecticut Sun during a second half of a WNBA game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Kamilla Cardoso scored 26 points and Sydney Taylor added 14 as the host Chicago Sky defeated the Connecticut Sun 94-88 on Thursday to stop a two-game skid.
Connecticut (7-22) outrebounded Chicago (10-18) 34-28 and had all five starters score in double figures. But it wasn’t enough to stop the Sky, who outscored the Sun 54-39 after halftime to hand them their fourth straight loss.
Aneesah Morrow remained on a tear for Connecticut. Two nights after scoring a career-best 21 points in a 92-84 loss at Washington, the second-year forward matched that total despite contributing just four points after halftime.
Olivia Nelson-Ododa posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Sun. Diamond Miller (14 points), Leila Lacan (12) and Charlisse Leger-Walker (10) followed.
Remaining steady after a strong start to the third quarter was the key for Chicago. After a Taylor trey brought the Sky within three at the 6:59 mark, Connecticut pushed the advantage back to 12 just over two minutes later after leading by 14 late in the first half.
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Cardoso hit two free throws to give the Sky a 74-72 lead with 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. She split a pair to push the lead to seven points with 3:20 left. She went 10-for-11 from the foul line with a team-high six rebounds to help the Sky lead by 10 in the final minute.
Natasha Cloud scored 11 points for Chicago, and DiJonai Carrington contributed nine points in her team and season debut.
Carrington missed the first half of the season with a sprained left foot. Carrington hadn’t played since September, when she sustained the injury during the Minnesota Lynx’s playoff run.
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Connecticut took a 49-40 lead into halftime. Long-range effectiveness helped the Sun create a cushion. They shot 4-for-8 from deep in the first 20 minutes compared to 2-for-14 for the Sky.
Morrow (17 points) and Nelson-Ododa (12) led all scorers at intermission. Cloud paced Chicago with seven first-half points.
Illinois is resetting at QB following the departure of Luke Altmyer, who Kaytin Houser has replaced. 
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