Looking for Soccer News?

Joachim Low should give up coaching and become a television pundit after leaving his role as Germany boss, says Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Low took charge of his final game with the national team this week, when his side suffered a 2-0 loss to England in the last 16 of Euro 2020.

The former Stuttgart and Fenerbahce coach spent 15 years at the helm of Germany and is already being linked to other jobs.

What has been said?

Ex-Bayern Munich and Switzerland manager Hitzfeld believes the 61-year-old would struggle to go back to club level and should just take up a job on TV.

"I don't know whether he would be well advised to do the stress again with around 60 games a year, that's a lot of stress," Hitzfeld told Sportbuzzer. "Spain, Italy, England, France - that doesn't really fit. A TV expert is the best job, I can only advise him."

What next for Low?

Low was highlighted as an early contender to replace Frank de Boer as Netherlands coach after he departed two days after their 2-0 loss to Czech Republic, but the German manager says he will take some time before deciding on his next move, and suggested he is not ready to give up being a coach just yet.

"After 15 years at the top, it will do me good to free myself from responsibility," he told reporters. "An emotional break is important for me, I've been at Germany for so long that you don't look around for something new straight away.

"I also have to allow the disappointment and the emptiness that comes. You don't shake off a tournament like this in the first few days, because you will need time.

"I never talked about retirement. There are definitely new tasks that are interesting for me."

Further reading

Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal has opened up on being Spain's penalty shootout hero against Switzerland in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals on Friday, stating that he was confident of finding his spot.

The Real Sociedad star struck the decisive spot-kick after extra-time was not enough to separate Luis Enrique's La Roja from the 10-men Rossocrociati in a 1-1 draw in Saint Petersburg.

Unai Simon saved three Swiss efforts with a superb display between the posts to set up his team-mate's winning finish, and now Oyarzabal has spoken out on what went through his mind ahead of striking the shot to book a semi-final at Wembley against Italy.

What's been said?

"The path to the ball was a little longer than normal, because the ball was a little further away," Oyarzabal told a pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday's game when asked about his winning kick.

"There, you think about what you are going to do. I was confident that things would go well - when the coach asked who wanted to shoot, I was willing to."

On Simon's heroics, he added: "I have known him for a long time, I have a good relationship with him. I consider myself a friend; he has worked hard to be here and it is a pleasure to share an experience like this with him."

Winger wary of Azzurri threat

In something of a rarity for Spain at international tournaments, they enter their semi-final in north London as underdogs, after Italy turned their dark horse outsider tags around to emerge as genuine Euro 2020 favourites.

But while Roberto Mancini's side may look to be on top, Oyarzabal feels that La Roja will be able to rise to the challenge, adding: "It is going to be a very difficult game.

"They have shown their level, they come at a great moment, but we do too and we have to focus on that. If we play right, we will have a better chance of winning.

"The most important thing is to be ourselves, as up to now, in all the games, we have given a great account of our skills. We have to continue to trust ourselves and I'm sure that this will go well."

The bigger picture

Having survived two extra-time-enforced knockout games to make it to the last four, Spain will need to rediscover their finest form if they hope to beat the Azzurri, whose narrow last-16 win over Austria remains the only blip on their record, especially after victory over world number one Belgium.

Luis Enrique's men will take heart heading into the clash however, knowing that they will be just 90 minutes away from a first major tournament final since they beat Italy in the showpiece game of Euro 2012 to claim their third consecutive major tournament crown.

Victory will tee up a last clash against either Denmark - enjoying a fairytale run after the trauma of Christian Eriksen's collapse in their opening game - or hosts England, out to book a place in a first final since they won the 1966 World Cup on home turf over half-a-century ago.

Further reading

Lionel Messi's Argentina fell short once more in the last edition of the Copa America in 2019, but they have a chance for redemption in the 2021 tournament.

It will not be easy, however, with reigning champions Brazil out to defend their title and underdogs are out to claim some scalps.

After a year-long delay due to Covid-19 - and Argentina and Colombia being stripped of hosting duties - Copa America is well under way in Brazil.

Goal brings you everything you need to know, including when the games are, match results and more.

Contents

Which teams are in Copa America 2021?

Copa America 2021 will feature 10 teams from South American confederation CONMEBOL.

The 10 CONMEBOL representatives are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Return to top

Who are the Copa America 2021 hosts?

Brazil were named as replacement 2021 Copa America hosts after Colombia was stripped of Copa America hosting rights due to ongoing anti-government protest, while Argentina's hosting rights were suspended after a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

The competition was initially set to be held across nine venues in nine cities in Colombia and Argentina.

Copa America 2021 schedule

Copa America 2021 began on June 12 in Brazil.

The group stage ran until June 27, with the knockout stage - quarter-finals - being played on July 2 and July 3.

Semi-final matches will take place on July 5 and 6, followed by the third-place play-off on July 9 and then the final on July 10 local time.

Return to top

Copa America 2021 group A fixtures & results

Group A table

Group A fixtures & results

Return to top

Copa America 2021 group B fixtures & results

Group B table

Group B fixtures & results

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Third-place play-off

Final

Return to top

Where is Copa America 2021 final being played?

The Copa America 2021 final will be played at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Return to top

Who won the last Copa America?

Brazil were the winners of the previous Copa America, which took place in 2019 in Brazil.

They defeated Peru 3-1 in the final thanks to goals from Everton, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison, with Paolo Guerrero scoring for Peru.

It was the Selecao's ninth Copa triumph, moving them closer to Argentina, who have won 14 times, and Uruguay, who are the most successful team in the history of the competition with 15 titles.

Return to top

Azam FC have confirmed the signing of midfielder Charles Zulu from Cape Town City of South Africa.

The Mainland Premier League club has acquired the services of the Zambian player after he passed a medical at Chamazi grounds on Sunday and he has penned a two-year contract ahead of the new season.

The ‘Ice-cream Makers’ have confirmed the arrival of the player on their social media pages by stating: “We are pleased to announce the signing of Charles [Zulu] from Zambia on a two-year contract.

“Zulu is arriving from Cape Town City of South Africa and we have sealed his services after agreeing on terms with his club, who allowed him to travel to Tanzania for the medical and subsequent signing and he will now start playing for us in the 2021-22 season.”

On making the transfer switch, Zulu said: “I am happy to be part of the Azam squad after leaving Cape Town City and I know how ambitious the team is, and will do my level best to make sure we win some trophies next season.

“It is a new challenge for me but as always I will be ready to step in and give my contribution when the coach gives me the opportunity to start, I want to thank all those who made this transfer a reality and I am focused to start playing for the team in the new season.”

Born in Lusaka, Zulu’s first team in the Zambian top-flight was Zanaco FC before he signed for Cape Town City on a four-year contract on October 23, 2020.

At the youth level, he was capped at U17, U20, and U23 levels before he made his senior debut for Zambia’s Chipolopolo in 2014, playing 90 minutes in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Niger.

He scored his first goal for Zambia at the 2016 Cosafa Cup; the winner in the 3-2 victory over Lesotho.

At Azam, he will now re-unite with another Zambian – coach George Lwandamina – who joined the ‘Ice-cream Makers’ at the halfway stage of the current campaign to replace Romanian Aristica Cioaba, who was fired after a series of poor results.

Azam are already building a squad for next season and have also managed to convince their top striker Prince Dube to extend his stay.

Barcelona have offered to release Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti from their contracts, Goal understands, as the midfielder and defender do not fit into Ronald Koeman's plans for the future.

Pjanic, 31, joined from Juventus last summer in a deal worth €60 million (£55m/$67m) but started only six of the 13 Liga games in which he featured last season.

Umtiti meanwhile has not been able to hold on to a place in the starting XI since arriving from Lyon five years ago and was also limited to just 13 league matches in 2020-21.

What has happened?

Barcelona want to offload the pair this summer, but their departures will not pove so easy.

The Camp Nou side will have to pay them off, given Pjanic has three years left on his contract and Umtiti's runs for another two seasons.

Barca will sit down to negotiate with the two players with the hope of convincing them to accept a compensation package. If they refuse, however, the club will have to pay them the full salary for the rest of their contracts.

Why do Barca want to release them?

The Catalan club are trying to free up space in the squad and their budget.

Francisco Trincao is the latest figure to leave Barcelona, having joined Wolves on loan with an option to buy on Sunday. He follows Jean-Clair Todibo and Juan Miranda on the way out of Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, the club have not given up on tying Lionel Messi to a new contract after his deal expired at the end of June.

Barca have already signed Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia on free transfers this summer, while Emerson Royal was purchased from Real Betis.

Further reading

Crystal Palace have confirmed Patrick Vieira as the club's new manager on a three-year deal that will take the Frenchman through to 2024 at Selhurst Park.

The Arsenal legend, who was previously coach of Nice until his dismissal in December last year, will succeed Roy Hodgson in the hotseat in south London.

The 45-year-old, who began his coaching career with New York City FC in Major League Soccer, takes charge for the first time in the Premier League, having made his name as one of the game's greatest midfielders during a decade-long spell with the Gunners.

What has been said?

“I am really excited to have this opportunity to return to the Premier League, and manage this great football club, as we begin a new chapter together," Vieira told the club's official website upon confirmation of his appointment.

“It is a project that is really appealing to me, having spoken a lot with the chairman and sporting director about their ambition and plans for the whole club, including the academy.

"The club has fantastic foundations in place after many years in the Premier League, and I hope we can make further improvements and continue to drive the club forward.

"I am also very excited to experience the atmosphere the club’s supporters make at Selhurst Park and away from home too, and I know just how important that can be for the team."

Vieira ends English exile

Forever linked with France's 1998 World Cup triumph on home soil, Vieira is also remembered in the British sporting consciousness as the anchor of Arsenal's superb period of success under Arsene Wenger, topped by the Invincibles era.

While he did finish his career with a lone season with Manchester City, where he won the FA Cup in 2011, it is the hat-trick of Premier League titles at Highbury with which he made his mark in the English game.

After taking charge of City's reserves following his retirement, he stayed with them until he took over at New York City FC at the start of 2016, taking them to consecutive quarter-final MLS playoff appearances during his two-and-a-half years at the helm.

He was appointed manager of Nice in the summer of 2018 and steered them to a seventh-place finish in his first season in charge, improving to achieve fifth the following campaign, but a run of five straight losses and the club's exit from the Europa League last December brought an end to his tenure in Ligue 1.

Now, after a decade since he last played in the Premier League, he will take charge of Palace as they look to build on the stability of the Hodgson era at Selhurst Park.

Further reading

Paul Pogba was the star of Euro 2020 before France were eliminated, says Wayne Rooney, who hopes that the midfielder can replicate his international form at Manchester United.

Pogba was one of the most consistent performers for Didier Deschamps' side as they topped Group F against rivals Portugal and Germany in the tournament's early stages.

But the World Cup holders were handed a shock exit in the last 16 by neighbours Switzerland in a dramatic penalty shootout finale, to leave Pogba high and dry - a departure that came far too soon for what Rooney considered a player of the tournament contender

What did Rooney say about Pogba?

"Like a lot of people, I fancied the French to be champions and as a team they were a massive disappointment," Rooney wrote in his column for The Sunday Times.

"That was a particular shame for Paul Pogba. He had been the player of the tournament until they went out. The passes [he] played for Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe were incredible.

"It helped him to have N’Golo Kante as his midfield partner but I think the biggest reason that Paul’s performances were so good was his positioning. 

"He was playing deeper than we normally see him for Manchester United and this meant that he was able to pick the ball up in areas of the pitch where he had the time and room to pick a pass."

Rooney calls for Rashford role shift

The former England favourite - the Three Lions' all-time top scorer - further mooted that a change in Marcus Rashford's approach at Old Trafford could help Pogba, particularly if the former is able to emulate the latter's countryman Kylian Mbappe in how deep he runs into danger areas.

"Give Paul time and space and he has the ability and imagination to really hurt the opposition," Rooney added. "Mbappe had a poor Euros overall but he did contribute to Paul’s success. 

"Teams sat off France because they were worried about Mbappe's pace, which helped buy Paul that bit of room to play in, and Mbappe's ability to run in behind allowed Paul to play a type of pass that he is so good at, the brave through ball right down the middle of the pitch.

"At United, if Marcus Rashford can develop his game and be encouraged to start making those Mbappe-style runs in behind, I believe you would see Paul doing more of what he does for his country in a club shirt."

The bigger picture

Pogba returns to United now with renewed interest in his future, following what was arguably his best season in Red Devils colours since his return to the club.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope he can help his side press on for silverware, after a second-place finish in the Premier League last term and a Europa League final appearance.

Rashford however has more pressing matters at hand, as England - following a triumphant quarter-final victory at Euro 2020 against Ukraine - head to Wembley for a semi-final date with Denmark later this week.

Further reading

Yanga SC winger Tuisila Kisinda has bragged Simba SC cannot beat them even if they play a repeat match in the Kariakoo derby.

On Saturday, the Jangwani-giants took the bragging rights after beating their Msimbazi rivals 1-0 in the Mainland Premier League contest which was attended by over 30, 000 fans, including Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

A first-half goal from Zawadi Mauya ensured Yanga had delayed Simba’s celebrations for winning a fourth straight title and they will now have to wait and win their next league assignment against KMC FC to be declared champions.

Yanga forward Kisinda has now claimed their rivals would not even accept to repeat the match because the result would not be any different.

“Have they [Simba] really woken up after yesterday’s [Saturday’s] defeat,” Kisinda, who played a key role to set up Mauya for the goal, posed a question on his Facebook page?

“The quality of the team is when you score in the opening minutes and then you fight to keep your rivals at bay by playing creatively and denying them space to play, and make them look like slaves for the entire 90 minutes.

“Even if you say the game should be repeated, they [Simba] will not accept because they went through a lot of suffering in terms of tactics and even if they accept, they will still not beat us.

“I think Yanga fans have already found the answer to that question of ‘Who ran away in 8/5/2021?

“What you don't know is that when Yanga wins the city is calm and now we want to follow our top display by beating them again in Kigoma when we meet in the final of the domestic cup and take away the trophy from them.

“Please wherever you are just tell those around you that Yanga is the medicine for Simba, we will beat them whenever we want.”

After the game, Simba media officer Haji Manara, who had bragged that they will beat Yanga by at least three goals, swallowed his own words by conceding defeat.

“We have lost to a team that was tactically better than us, they were better than us in all departments and they were lucky in the first half, Simba was not the Simba we know, but that is football,” Manara said.

This was the first league defeat for Simba coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa since he took over the club from Sven Vandenbroeck.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has thanked all those involved to ensure his "incredible year" ends on a high.

The Senegal international won the Best African International Award from the Ghana Football Awards Board in a ceremony held on Saturday night.

The West African has promised to give his best to ensure he does not disappoint in the new campaign. 

"Hi everyone, I am happy and grateful to receive this award from the Ghana Football Awards Board," Mendy said in a short video obtained by Goal.

"It has been an incredible year for me and winning the Champions League remains one of the best achievements in my life. I thank the Ghanaians and all Africans across the world for their support and prayer.

"I appreciate the recognition as the best African international player and promise to do more to make Africa proud, thank you."

The goalkeeper helped the Blues to win the Uefa Champions League trophy after a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final.

The custodian, who was in his debut season in English football with the Blues, also played a key role as the Londoners finished fourth in the Premier League, as well as reach the FA Cup final where they fell to Leicester City.

The Senegal shot-stopper played 31 league matches and 12 Champions League games which clearly confirmed his position as Chelsea's number one ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The 29-year-old, who also helped the Lions of Teranga to qualify for Afcon to be held in Cameroon, will now be aiming at inspiring the Thomas Tuchel-led Chelsea to the Premier League title next season.

Ex-Swansea City forward Andre Ayew was another big winner in the annual event.

The Black Stars skipper had a good season with the Welsh outfit in the just-concluded Championship season and went on to win the Ghana Footballer of the Year award.

The 31-year-old was directly involved in 21 goals the Swans scored in the league, finding the back of the net 17 times and providing four assists. He was also on target for the team in the promotion playoffs, scoring the only goal in the 2-1 aggregate loss to Brentford.

Ayew also played a vital role to ensure Ghana made it to the 2020 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The striker beat Great Olympics captain Gladson Awako and Ajax attacker Kudus Mohammed to the title.

He succeeded Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who had won the award the previous two times.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has described each day as "a new step" as he continues to recover from the thigh injury that kept him out of Euro 2020.

The Liverpool wing-back was originally named in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the rearranged tournament, but was injured in the Three Lions' warm-up friendly against Austria, forcing his withdrawal from the 26-man party.

Brighton's Ben White took his place in the team, which has since reached the semi-finals, but back home their missing star says he is well on the road to recovery.

What has been said?

“Every day’s a new step, every day’s getting better, getting fitter and I think going into pre-season we’ll be good,” Alexander-Arnold told BBC Sport during England's 4-0 quarter-final win over Ukraine on Saturday in Rome. “Obviously I’ve had a few weeks of rest and then I’ll be hitting the season and trying to push on from there.”

Asked on the frustrations of missing out for his country - having been a member of their Russia 2018 World Cup squad when England also reached the last four - Alexander-Arnold pulled no punches, adding: "It's disappointing for me not to be there.

"At the end of the day, it still puts a smile on my face seeing the lads go far, the nation getting behind them - the supporters everywhere have been amazing. To know all the lads and a do few weeks with them, they're going to do us proud."

Alexander-Arnold's absence

At only 22, Alexander-Arnold remains one of England's most promising young talents of the future, but it is a testament to the number of options Southgate possesses that his injury has hardly broken the stride of his side.

Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James are among those who have operated at right back so far at Euro 2020, with each bringing sharp dimensions to the Three Lions' gameplan.

Having started at right-back in England's third-place match against Switzerland at the 2019 Nations League Finals, suggestion that Alexander-Arnold could have missed the tournament after he was dropped for March's international break sparked furious debate among fans.

His eventual inclusion - and subsequent injury - ultimately rendered the point moot in a cruel blow, one from which the wideman will look to bounce back from this coming season ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Further reading

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande says they are not in the Caf Champions League final just to make up the numbers as they prepare to face Al Ahly on July 17.

The match scheduled for neutral Stade Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca is in itself history for Chiefs, who have never participated at this stage of the competition.

But Katsande is looking to further make history against record nine-time African champions Al Ahly, who are also the titleholders.

“The Caf Champions League final is huge; [it is] the biggest stage in African club football and you don’t know if you will make it again in your lifetime,” Katsande told The Sunday Mail.

“The club hasn't been there; it’s the first time and I am part and parcel of the group. I am blessed. It’s not all players who play African football who end up playing in a Champions League final.  

“We are enjoying the moment and we are going there [to the final] not to make numbers but to make history. We just want to make it a reality that will be stuck in Chiefs’ history for the rest of our lives.

"We want to do this for the chairman, especially after a bad season [domestically].”

Katsande is the oldest player in the current Chiefs squad and he placed emphasis on claiming silverware on July 17 as there might be no other opportunity to do so.

The former Zimbabwe captain even hints at nearing retirement and says he wants to pave the way for his compatriots to play for Amakhosi.

“We are coming to the end of our careers and we want to enjoy our game, so if you win the big like this one, you will say, ‘Wow, I did it.’ I want to be a role model for all the foreign players who want to come to play for Chiefs,” continued Katsande.

“You might take it lightly now, but when you retire you will realise you have done something for the game. I have been here [at Kaizer Chiefs] for 10 years now, but I am not doing it for myself.

"I am planting a seed for the next generation of Zimbabweans who will come here to play for Chiefs. They will know that this is their home.”

Remarkably, Chiefs are yet to concede at home in the Champions League and it is yet to be seen if they will hold their own against Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly.

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa has claimed their decision to submit Kenya's Caf Champions League representative by June 30 was hard to challenge.
 
Mwendwa explained what prompted the FKF's decision to submit the name of the club for the Caf competition before the Premier League ended.

Traditionally, the winner of the league has been representing the country in the Champions League, unlike this time around when the team at the top - Tusker - by the end of June 30 won the ticket.
 
"It is proper for the fans and stakeholders to understand why we chose June 30 as the final day to pick the Champions League ticket winner. The Covid-19 pandemic has altered every football-related program," Mwendwa told Standard Digital.
 
"Remember, we had a run of eight months without football before we resumed in November and we had a plan to have this season end before June 30, but towards the end of April and in May, there was another ban on sporting activities. In that period, we could not have teams play around 10 games that were scheduled on the roster.
 
"We received a communication from Caf stating that we needed to submit the name of our champion by June 30, and even after requesting an additional month to complete the league, they responded, saying that it was not possible. They also demanded a Confederation Cup representative before July 4.
 
"Kenya has always been represented in the Champions League and the Leagues and Competitions Committee sat down and updated us that whenever the league has run past the halfway mark, anytime a pandemic strikes - as is the case with Covid-19 - the team that is on top of the table is declared the winner. That is why June 30 was picked as the day to present our representatives.
 
"That was the most sensible thing we could have done."

Mwendwa affirmed that after the clubs were notified of the June 30 decision, none opposed it: "It is not a must that the league winner will be the Champions League representative. The decision was taken early enough, and the clubs were informed that we might have the Premier League winner missing out on the Caf slot," he added.
 
"Indeed, all the clubs accepted the decision. The decision is solid and clear and anyone planning to raise a legal issue against it, even with Caf, will not get a different decision. One can lodge a complaint but it is hard to get a different decision than we have taken."

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benedict Vilakazi says it depends on how strong Thembinkosi Lorch is, if he is to beat the frustration of failing to move abroad.

An unnamed Belgian club has reportedly been keen on the 27-year-old for the past two seasons and the player himself was said to have handed in a transfer request earlier this year.

With reports of him wanting out of Pirates painting him as unhappy at the club, Vilakazi believes the player should not allow transfer talk or failure to move have his form take a knock. 

“It depends on how strong you are as an individual if they are closing the door for you. You can just tell yourself, when one door closes, another opens,” said Vilakazi on iDiski Times.

“At the end of the day, one thing players need to remember is that even if the door closes, it is you who has to try and open it again by performing on the field of play. If you lose an opportunity and you just sit, you are not doing yourself any favour.  

“You just need to continue working hard. I always say only God knows when your breakthrough will come. So if you keep your focus and keep on working hard, good things will come.” 

Recently, Lorch was reported to be a target of nine-time African champions Al Ahly. 

That prompted a reaction from Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane who said if he is interested in Lorch, he would directly contact Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza. 

Vilakazi, though, thinks it is still possible for the player to join the Egyptian giants. 

“Anything is possible for him. With the way coach Pitso Mosimane talked about him, anything is possible. I think coach Pitso will come for him,” Vilakazi continued.

“I like what coach Pitso said about him admiring Lorch. Lorch is a good player. Pitso also showed some respect to Dr Irvin Khoza the chairman by saying if he is ready for Lorch, he will approach the chairman in the right way.  

“Al Ahly is a big team and I put it in the same bracket as European teams. If the coach wants him there, then why not? It is not like he is wanted by the Al Ahly chairman or team manager, but the coach himself believes in him.

"So I think it would be a good move for him to go there.” 

Last season, injury limited Lorch to just 18 Premier Soccer League games, three appearances in the Caf Confederation Cup, two MTN8 games and one Nedbank Cup match.

Former Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga has confirmed his transfer from Middlesbrough to Super Lig club Adana Demirspor.

The 28-year-old Democratic Republic of the Congo striker has taken to his social media pages to confirm his exit from Riverside Stadium by confirming he has moved to the Turkish side.

In his message on Twitter, Assombalonga wrote: “To everyone at Middlesbrough Football Club, I want to thank you all for the past four years.

“It’s been a good journey and came across so many good people! Coaches, fans & especially the players what a changing room.

“All the best for the future.”

Though the Twitter message did not confirm he had moved to the newly-promoted side, his message on Instagram confirmed the move as he posted a photo of him being unveiled and a message: “New start! New Challenge! Let’s go @adskulubu.”

The 28-year-old centre-forward teamed up with the Riverside Stadium outfit in the summer of 2017 for a club-record fee of £15 million from Nottingham Forest, where he had managed to score 45 league goals in 152 league starts.

In January, Boro manager Neil Warnock stated he was at ease regarding the contract situation of the striker which was to end in July.

"We don't worry about that [the contract] here. There are a lot of players out of contracts. What will be, will be, we'll worry about that when we have to," Warnock said .

Assombalonga was a consistent performer for Boro, having featured in 152 games, scoring 47 goals across all competitions and his final goal was against his former side Forest at the City Ground in a 2-1 win.

Demirspor, which was founded by railway workers in 1940, are making a comeback to the Super Lig after a 26-year absence alongside GZT Giresunspor.

Having defeated Menemenspor 4-1 in their last TFF First League game, Demirspor were crowned champions with 70 points while Giresunspor, who won their last game 2-1 against Tuzlaspor, came second on goal difference.

Nigeria international Henry Onyekuru has arrived in Istanbul to seal a transfer to either Fenerbahce and Besiktas, according to his agent.

The player's representative, William D’Avila, said the AS Monaco forward is already in Istanbul after Galatasaray kept them waiting for five weeks over a possible move to sign him permanently.

According to the information given by D’Avila, both clubs are ready to pay the 4.3 million euros demanded by Monaco.

D’Avila said in a statement to Ajansspor while giving the latest transfer news on the player: “We are in Istanbul with the player and Onyekuru was waiting for news from Galatasaray for the last five weeks, but they have not contacted us, but now Fenerbahce and Besiktas have entered the table.”

On January 29, Onyekuru returned to Galatasaray from Monaco on a six-month loan with an option to make it permanent, that had elapsed at the end of the season.

Thanks to his inspiring performances for KAS Eupen, where he finished the 2016-17 Belgian First Division A season as joint top-scorer with 22 goals, the winger was signed by Everton for a fee of £7 million.

Nevertheless, he was sent to Anderlecht owing to his failure to get a work permit, which would have seen him realise his ambition of playing in the Premier League.

After completing spells in Belgium and Galatasaray - where he won the 2018-19 Turkish Super Lig title - he was sold permanently to Ligue 1 giants Monaco.

He struggled to find his feet at Stade Louis II and has been restricted to just four league games for Niko Kovac’s side.

Onyekuru played for Galatasaray on loan in three terms at various intervals, and he made 55 appearances in the Super League, scored 20 goals and made 11 assists.

Galatasaray, having missed out on the Super Lig title on the final day of the season, are still undecided on paying Monaco for the services of the Nigerian player and make the move permanent.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce, who have long admired Onyekuru, are reportedly keen on adding the forward to their attacking line to help support Enner Valencia for goals next term.

Egypt coach Shawky Gharib has stated star forward Mohamed Salah had a strong desire to feature for the team at the Olympic Games, but his club Liverpool were not willing to release him.

The Pharaohs are among the teams that qualified for the competition to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

Their captain headlined the over-aged players who the tactician wanted to select, alongside Mostafa Mohamed, but his requests with the players' clubs fell on deaf ears.

"All negotiations with Liverpool and Galatasaray have not been successful, as the two clubs want the two players with them in the coming period," Gharib told MBC Masr.

"The Turkish club signed Mostafa Mohamed in order to participate in European competitions, so it’s their right to keep him.

"The same goes for Liverpool. Mohamed Salah had a strong desire to be with the Olympic team in Tokyo and also Mostafa Mohamed, but what happened was out of their control."

The Galatasaray attacker had scored six goals in as many games for the Pharaohs.

Egypt, who won the 2019 Africa U23 Cup of Nations on home soil, have been drawn against Argentina, Spain, and Australia in Group C.

Their outing in Tokyo would be their 13th appearance in the men’s football event at the Olympics but they are yet to win a medal in any of their previous outings.

The 22-man squad is dominated by Egyptian Premier League stars with Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy among the overaged players selected, alongside former Stoke City and Huddersfield Town winger Ramadan Sobhi.

Also in the squad is 30-year-old Ahmed Hegazi, who previously played for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, and his addition is expected to strengthen the Pharaohs' defence.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Mohamed Sobhi (Ittihad of Alexandria), Mahmoud Gad (ENPPI).

Defenders: Ahmed Hegazi (Ittihad Jeddah), Mahmoud El-Wensh, Mohamed Abdel-Salam, Ahmed Fetouh (Zamalek), Osama Galal (Pyramids FC), Ahmed Ramadan Beckham (Al Ahly), Karim El-Eraky (Al Masry), Karim Fouad (ENPPI).

Midfielders: Akram Tawfik, Nasser Maher (Al Ahly), Amar Hamdi (Ittihad of Alexandria), Emam Ashour (Zamalek).

Forwards: Ramadan Sobhi, Ibrahim Adel (Pyramids FC), Abdelrahman Magdy (Ismaily) Taher Mohamed, Salah Mohsen (Al Ahly), Nasser Mansi (El-Gaish), Ahmed Yasser Rayan (Ceramica Cleopatra).

Wolves have confirmed the arrival of Barcelona winger Francisco Trincao on a season-long loan for the 2021-22 campaign, with a further option to buy the Blaugrana starlet next summer.

The Portugal international, a member of Ronald Koeman's Copa del Rey-winning squad last season, enjoyed a busy season at Camp Nou following his arrival from Braga in 2020.

Now however he will spend the upcoming campaign at Molineux, as Bruno Lage's outfit look to strengthen their place in the Premier League following Nuno Espirito Santo's exit to Tottenham.

What has Trincao achieved?

Having come through the youth ranks at Braga as a teenager, Trincao caught the eye as a member of Portugal's U19 European Championship-winning side in 2018.

He subsequently transitioned to the senior ranks at the Primeira Liga outfit and helped them to the 2019-20 Taca da Liga.

Those performances earned the attention of Barcelona who secured his switch last summer. He made 42 appearances across all competitions for the Blaugrana as they secured a top-four finish and won the Copa del Rey under Koeman.

Trincao latest to follow Portuguese path

Ever since the recently departed Nuno took charge at Molineux, Wolves has become a hotbed for Portuguese players in the Premier League, with almost a third of their first-team squad hailing from the country.

In securing Lage, another Portuguese coach, to succeed Nuno, the Midlands outfit has continued to bolster its international links and the capture of Trincao marks their latest dip into the market for another player who has delivered under Fernando Santos at international level.

Further reading

Ex-Swansea City forward Andre Ayew, Black Stars legend Asamoah Gyan, and Chelsea custodian Edouard Mendy were the big winners in the annual Ghana Football Awards on Saturday night.

The Black Stars skipper had a good season with the Welsh outfit in the just-concluded Championship season and went on to win the Ghana Footballer of the Year award.

The 31-year-old was directly involved in 21 goals the Swans scored in the league, finding the back of the net 17 times and providing four assists. He was also on target for the team in the promotion playoffs, scoring the only goal in the 2-1 aggregate loss to Brentford.

Ayew also played a vital role to ensure Ghana made it to the 2020 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The striker beat Great Olympics captain Gladson Awako and Ajax attacker Kudus Mohammed to the title.

He succeeded Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who had won the award the previous two times.

On his part, Mendy received the Best African International Award after helping Chelsea to the Uefa Champions League trophy with a 1-0 win over Manchester City.

The custodian, who was in his debut season in English football with the Blues, also played a key role as the Londoners finished fourth in the Premier League, as well as reach the FA Cup final.

The Senegal shot-stopper played 31 league matches and 12 Champions League games which clearly confirmed his position as Chelsea's number one ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The 29-year-old, who also helped the Lions of Teranga to qualify for Afcon to be held in Cameroon, will now be aiming at inspiring the Thomas Tuchel-led Chelsea to the Premier League title next season.

In this third edition of the awards, Ghana legend Gyan won the Player of the Decade Award.

The 35-year-old Legon Cities FC striker made 101 appearances for the national team, scoring 51 goals in the process. He was part of the Ghana squad in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup finals.

He has also played in three Afcon finals for the West Africa nation.