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Virgil van Dijk says that he was "disappointed" to see Ronald Koeman take over at Barcelona although he understands why the now-former Netherlands national team boss wanted to coach the Spanish giants.

Koeman was recently announced as Quique Setien's replacement at Barca after the Spanish boss was dismissed following the club's 8-2 Champions League beating at the hands of Bayern Munich.

The Dutchman, a former Barca defender, had to leave his post as Netherlands boss after previous reports confirmed his intention to manage through Euro 2020.

But, after the tournament was postponed due to the coronavirus, Koeman opted to accept the opportunity to coach Barca, leaving the Dutch team in the process.

And Van Dijk says he understands why Koeman made that decision and added that he was happy for the Barca boss.

“We are all disappointed to see such a great national team coach leave, but we give him this wholeheartedly," Van Dijk said.

"You can ask each player in the squad piece by piece, everyone will have that feeling. This was his big dream. 

"This time in which we live, the corona time with all the uncertainty that comes with it, the European Championship that will not take place with one hundred per cent with certainty, if such an opportunity comes along, I can understand it.”

Van Dijk also revealed that Koeman called him to inform him of his decision before putting pen to paper on his contract with Barcelona.

And the Liverpool star said that he did not try to talk Koeman out of leaving as he understood the situation from the start.

“I didn’t try to persuade him to stay then. It was of course also coming for a while. Nobody expected it to have happened so quickly, but we are very happy for him. Now we have to move on.”

The Netherlands are being managed by interim boss Dwight Lodeweges for Nations League matches against Poland and Italy.

Lodeweges had been an assistant for the Netherlands since 2018, and he too gave Koeman his blessing as he prepares for his first match in charge.

"You know how it works in the football world. He has turned down Barcelona twice. If he then gets a third chance, then you just give him that," he said.

"For us, it is a shame, we were of course not happy that he left, but we certainly give it to Ronald.”

Ndubuisi Egbo’s KF Tirana failed to win the Albanian Super Cup title following Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Teuta Durres.

Rubin Hebaj’s first half brace were all the Sea Boys needed to defeat the team handled by the former Nigeria international at the Elbasan Arena, with Jurgen Vrapi’s goal a mere consolation.

Following their elimination from the Champions League after losing 1-0 to Red Star Belgrade, the reigning Albanian champions came into the game with the ambition returning to winning ways, albeit, Edi Martini’s men had a different idea.

Teuta Durres took the lead after 21 minutes through Hebaj who fired the ball into an empty net after

Hebaj gave Teuta Durres the lead after 21 minutes after goalkeeper Ilion Lika fumbled Lorenco Vila’s well-taken free-kick.

The forward doubled his team’s advantage in the 35 minutes. With Lika saving Vila’s penalty following Filip Najdovski’s foul, Hebaj slotted the ball into an empty net before Tirana defenders could clear their backline.

Egbo’s team put up a strong attacking display in the second-half but would have themselves to blame for fluffing several scoring opportunities.

Durres were dealt a major blow in the 66th minute after Renato Arapi was sent off by the referee for a second caution.

However, Tirana reduced their deficit in the 77th minute courtesy of Vrapi who replaced Ghana midfielder Winful Cobbinah. He drilled the ball past goalkeeper Stivi Frasheri after receiving a pass from Grent Halili.

That spurred the league champions to serve for the all-important second strike but their attacking forays met a strong resistant from Teuta Durres.

While Cobbinah was in action for 68 minutes, his compatriots Derick Sasraku, Ibrahim Sulley, Isaac Gyamfi and Richard Danso were not listed for the encounter.

Following this defeat, Egbo and his team will continue with their preparations ahead of the new season.

They are guests of KS Kastrioti Kruje in the opening game of 2020-21 campaign on September 12, while Teuta Durres take on KF Skenderbeu at the Niko Dovana Stadium.

47-year-old Egbo played for Tirana during his playing career, before returning to join the club's backroom staff as a goalkeeper coach in 2014 before his appointment as a manager in 2019.

Anticipation for FIFA 21 is steadily increasing ahead of the game's launch on October 9 , with fans eagerly awaiting when they can get their hands on an early demo version of the game to play.

Certain lucky users have been given the chance to play the closed beta version, but those who don't manage to get access will be able to play the public demo for an early taste of the game.

Goal has what you need to know about how to play the FIFA 21 demo, when it will be released and more.

When is the FIFA 21 demo released?

EA Sports have not yet confirmed when the FIFA 21 demo will be released, but based on previous releases, it is expected to arrive in the second half of September.

The FIFA 20 demo was launched on September 10 ahead of a September 27 full-game release.

FIFA 21 was delayed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, pushed to an October date instead of the normal end of September timeline, and it is expected that the demo version will also be given a later release date to align with the full launch.

With previous demo releases made two weeks prior to the full game, the FIFA 21 demo could arrive between September 20-22.

Early access is granted to those who pre-order FIFA 21, meaning they are able to play in advance of that date - this year, FIFA 21 Early Access will be available on October 6.

How can I play the FIFA 21 demo?

The FIFA 21 demo will be available to download for PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Players will need to the online store of their respective gaming platform, search for FIFA 21 and install the demo once it is officially available.

What will be in the FIFA 21 demo?

Demo versions of FIFA games always serve as a teaser of what's to come, and there are always huge differences between the two.

The demo is a bite-sized taste of the full release, with crucial differences observed in game modes that players are able to access, teams and some of the more intricate details.

Gameplay graphics are not expected to be different between the demo version and the full version - with the FIFA 21 graphics set to be more hyper-realistic and smooth - but fans should expect shorter match times and decreased gameplay options for the demo version.

FIFA 21 will be released on October 6, 2020.

The 2020-21 La Liga season has ushered in a new era for Barcelona, in the wake of talisman Lionel Messi informing his club that he wants to leave .

The Catalan side has been undergoing some hardship in recent seasons, with a failure to pick up a single title in the 2019-20 season amid their hugely embarrassing exit at the hands of Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Messi's desires to leave have rocked the football world to its core, with this year set to witness the first Clasico without the Argentina striker present since before 2004 – should he depart Camp Nou.

Real Madrid will be defending their La Liga title under Zinedine Zidane, and Spain's showpiece fixture promises to be one of the most highly anticipated match-ups in football.

Goal  has what you need to know about when the Clasico will take place this season and more.

When is the next Clasico?

The first Clasico will be held on the week of October 25 at Camp Nou, with the return fixture played at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 11, 2021 .

New Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman will oversee the Blaugrana following the dismissal of Quique Setien.

Setien was dismissed following Barcelona's humiliating 8-2 Champions League destruction to Bayern Munich, and should Messi leave the club, the Catalan side is set to be a new-look team.

Last season's El Clasico in La Liga saw a draw between the two at Barcelona, with Real Madrid registering a 2-0 victory in the return leg in March.

Real Madrid were crowned winners of La Liga for the 34th time in 2020.

La Liga fixtures 2020-21: Openers, Clasicos & key dates

How to watch El Clasico

In the UK, La Liga matches will be available to watch and stream on La Liga TV, while Premier Sports and FreeSports also have rights for some games.

In the US, La Liga games will be broadcast on the beIN Sports network, which has both English language and Spanish language channels, as well as an online streaming service, beIN Sports Connect.

Roberto Calenda, a member of Victor Osimhen’s management team, has claimed prior to the Nigerian signing for Napoli, Barcelona were interested in bringing him in place of unsettled striker Luis Suarez.

The 21-year old sealed a five-year deal believed to be worth up to €80 million from Lille and will be expected to deliver, having netted 18 competitive strikes last term in France.

Osimhen made an impression by scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in an 11-0 friendly win over Italian fourth division side L’Aquila during a training camp at Castel di Sangro last Friday.

Suarez’s future at Camp Nou is currently up in the air as he is reportedly not keen to continue at the club and new Blaugrana boss Ronald Koeman does not want him.

"I usually never talk about these things, out of respect for professionalism and the club. It is right that Napoli say things as they went, they are the main players,” Calenda told Radio Marte.

“I can say that it was a well-conducted negotiation by the parties, we started from a distance. The signing took place with constant communication and we were good at keeping track of it.

“[It was a] difficult operation, Tottenham and Liverpool wanted Osimhen until the end, even Barcelona initially wanted him instead of Suarez. Napoli, however, did everything. They wanted it and took it."

However, Goal understands Barcelona were only tracking the progress of Osimhen, and he was never a real target to make a bid.

From Liverpool, Goal understands Jurgen Klopp was not interested in Osimhen because of the high price of the Nigerian. Earlier this year, the Reds were looking to strengthen their options from the bench when the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were not available. Liverpool eventually brought in Takumi Minamino in January.

Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso had previously stated that Osimhen needs time to gel with his team as he is not a Maradona kind of signing and these same thoughts were reflected by Calenda.

"The boy [Osimhen] is an exemplary professional, very serious and very serene. This is important when you get to teams where there have been players who have made football history,” he continued.

“The coach's [Gattuso] words are right: you have to wait and give him time because he comes from far away, he must adapt to our championship and our customs. But without a shadow of a doubt he has great talent and I am sure he will prove it because he has some important characteristics."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ended speculation linking him with a move away from AC Milan by signing a new one-year contract.

It has been reported the new deal, which will keep the 38-year-old at San Siro until the summer of 2021, will earn him around €7 million (£6m/$8m).

"AC Milan is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement for the contract renewal of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, extending the partnership with the Rossoneri Club until 30 June 2021," the club said in a statement.

The news comes as a boost for Milan, with the club looking to continue their recent resurgence under Stefano Pioli.

Milan rose to sixth with a stunning run of form which saw them win nine and draw three of their last 12 Serie A games, having floundered in mid-table for much of the season before that point.

Ibrahimovic’s role in their improvement was clear. The Rossoneri lost just twice in the league after his arrival from the LA Galaxy in January, as he scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 18 league appearances.

He had scored 53 goals in 58 appearances during his two seasons in MLS before opting to return to Milan after previously featuring for the club from 2010-12.

That form meant Milan were desperate to keep him, but uncertainty around the club meant that when the squad returned to training ahead of the new season, Ibrahimovic wasn’t among the group.

He had been waiting for a definite agreement over his contract, and will now return to training with the rest of the squad.

Ibrahimovic was reported to be likely to leave the club if Milan had gone ahead with plans to replace Pioli with former RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season, but the club’s eventual U-turn – with Pioli instead receiving a new contract of his own – apparently helped convince the striker to stay.

Milan have already seen the likes of Suso, Pepe Reina, Lucas Biglia, Ricardo Rodriguez and Giacamo Bonaventura depart the club this summer.

The Italian side will begin their Europa League campaign on September 17 with AC Milan set to visit Shamrock Rovers as part of the competition's second qualifying round. 

Former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete has urged Yanga SC and Simba SC to invest in academies in order to nurture their own stars.

Kikwete – a Yanga fan – stated the academy will help the clubs have a continuous chain of younger players joining senior teams. The fourth president of the republic also said the academy will help reduce the dependency on foreign players.

“What I can insist on is that Yanga should invest big in coming up with an academy so that you can nurture young talents,” Kikwete said during the Wiki ya Wananchi celebrations at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Azam TV.

“Bernard Morrison is a Ghanaian, Carlinhos is an Angolan and another is from Kenya. What I am simply saying is that we must invest in an academy.

“Juma Pondamali, a great footballer in his days, was nurtured from a previous academy, remember Sunday Manara, Gordian Mapango, Adolf Rishard and many more. The young men then grew and developed into great national team players. But remember they were academy products.

“This message goes to Yanga, Simba and Azam FC and all the other teams indeed. This will help you in dealing with the problem of signing expensive foreign players. We are rich in talent but we have to invest in their development.

“This will bring success but also remember you can develop further when you have good coaches.”

Simba have already revealed plans are in place to start an academy that will be based in Dar es Salaam.

Kikwete called upon Yanga to ensure they win the Mainland Premier League title after missing out on the last three occasions.

“Now I am requesting you to make a decision that you are going to fight and win the next league,” he added. “Everything is possible you won it many times in the previous years but in the last three seasons you have failed but I know you can fight and win it again.

“The power of unity that I have seen is great. You have shown you can really be hot but the greatest achievement is the tangible result of development within Yanga.”

Simba – Yanga’s archrivals – have won league titles since 2018 but despite their financial struggle in the last season, Yanga fought and finished second on the log.

Ghana international Gideon Mensah has joined Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes.

The defender, who was heavily linked to FC Porto, becomes the fourth Ghanaian at Tiago Mendes' outfit after sealing a loan transfer from Red Bull Salzburg on Monday.

The deal includes an option to buy for Vitoria at the end of the season.

"Vitoria Sport Club announces the hiring on loan of Gideon Mensah, who will be at the service of the Victorian emblem until the end of this season. It leaves Vitoria SC with a purchase option of 2.2 million euros for the international A Ghanaian," the Portuguese fold have announced on their official website.

"At 22, Gideon Mensah is one of Africa's greatest promises, having already accumulated a lot of experience in European football."

Earlier last month, Vitoria signed Ghanaian centre-back Abdul Mumin following his departure from Danish side Nordsjaelland at the end of last season.

The Conquerors already had Ghana international Alhassan Wakaso and Joseph Amoah on their books.

"I talked a lot with Mumin. We are the same age and since he arrived at Vitoria and he talked about this possibility, we talked every day," Mensah revealed.

"I wanted to know what Vitoria is like, how he was feeling and the feedback that I received was very positive in terms of the club's philosophy.

"This is an excellent opportunity to continue growing. Mumin is very happy and for me, that was very important, it made me even more motivated to come."

Last season, Mensah was out on loan at Belgian side Zulte Waregem where he made 19 league outings and scored once.

"I am a player who does all the positions on the left side, I am very offensive and I know that in the defensive moment, it cannot be easy to pass me," said the fullback.

"I am defensively combative but I like to play, I have a good relationship with the ball and I am a very attack-minded."

In November, Mensah made his first senior appearance for Ghana in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against South Africa.

He followed up with another outing in a 1-0 away victory over Sao Tome and Principe four days later. 

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has sent a message to Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Ernst Middendorp, saying football is a lonely game when wins are hard to find.

The Clever Boys mentor has led his charges to a 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon at FNB Stadium, saying soccer is a cut-throat business.

Following the win over the Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders, the Clever Boys seemed to have derailed the Soweto giants’ title ambitions.

“Professional football is a very lonely game if you don’t win. When you win, it is fine and everyone loves you,” Hunt told the media.

“When you don’t win, it’s bad. When you are so close, obviously to lose a game like that, it’s not easy to handle.

“On a personal level, you don’t want to see people, especially the way they [Chiefs] were on top of the log for some time, to lose it at the end. But we are in a cut-throat business.”   

In the wake of the victory through a solitary strike by Bienvenu Eva Nga, Wits moved to third spot on the log table with 49 points and have maximized their chances of lifting the title should Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns lose their remaining matches.

Chiefs and coach Pitso Mosimane’s men both have 53 points at the summit, but the Naturena-based giants enjoy an advantage based on goal difference.

However, the Braamfontein outfit can steal the lucrative crown as they could end up with 55 points from their last two games.

As Middendorp cut a lonely figure and reportedly shunned the media after their hard to swallow defeat, he was quick to lament their missed chances in his post-match analysis on television.

Meanwhile, Chiefs were consoled by the fact that the reigning PSL champions lost 1-0 to the relegation-threatened Baroka on Sunday evening at Dobsonville Stadium, leaving the title race open.

In addition, the German manager’s camp has suffered a major blow following news goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has been ruled out for the end of the season.

Akpeyi collided with striker Mxolisi Macuphu, leaving the Nigerian keeper concussed and he was stretchered off just before the end of the first half at the Calabash.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined Roma on a permanent basis, it has been confirmed.

The attacking midfielder spent last season on loan at the Serie A side and made 27 appearances in all competitions as the capital club finished fifth in the league.

The 31-year-old had one year left on his contract with the Gunners, but they have terminated his deal to allow him to make a free transfer to Roma.

Mkhitaryan was pictured training with Roma on Monday as they returned from their summer break before the side splits up for the upcoming international matches.

He then took to Instagram to confirm his switch to Paulo Fonseca's side and thanked former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for the faith he showed in the Armenia international by bringing him to the club.

"I’m delighted to announce that I have permanently joined the Giallorossi," he wrote in the caption.

"Firstly, I would like to thank Arsenal, its personnel and the millions of Gunners, all whom supported me over the past year and a half. A special thanks goes to Arsene Wenger for having brought me to the club and for his trust in me.

"Now the preparation begins with my new challenge and my second year adventure in Serie A.

"I love the city of Roma , I love this club and I count the fans in my heart. I will give all of my effort in helping us achieve our goals!"

Mkhitaryan moved to north London from Manchester United in January 2018 and went on to make 59 appearances for the club.

The former Borussia Dortmund star impressed in his first start for the Gunners with three assists in a 5-1 victory over Everton in the Premier League. He scored nine goals and made 13 assists overall.

Roma have already signed Carles Perez, Gianluca Mancini and Jordan Veretout on permanent deals after they all spent the 2019-20 season on loan in the Italian capital.

Meanwhile, 33-year-old Pedro made the move to the Stadio Olimpico in a free transfer after his contract at Chelsea expired. The former Barcelona winger has signed a three-year contract with the club.

Franck Acheampong missed from the penalty spot as Tianjin TEDA were defeated by Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League on Monday.

The Tianjin Tigers were heading into this game winless in Group B of the abridged league format and coming up against the group leaders and 2018 champions was going to be a heavy task to achieve.

It proved to go that way with Odil Akhmedov and former FC Porto striker Hulk netting for SIPG in the 29th and 25th minutes respectively.

Acheampong had the opportunity to half the deficit from the penalty spot after Shiyuan Yang handled the ball in the penalty area, however, his effort was saved by SIPG goalie Junling Yan.

The Red Eagles then continued from where they left off in the second half with former West Ham United striker Marko Arnautovic making it 3-0 before former Chelsea playmaker Oscar added the fourth via a penalty in the 82nd minute.

Honglue Zhao pulled one back for Tianjin in the 90th minute but it was too little too late.

Acheampong played for the whole 90 minutes, having two shots on target, 33 touches, 19 accurate passes at 82% and 100% accurate long balls (three from three).

The Ghana international who was appointed the club captain this season has played in six of the eight Super League games this term with his only contribution being an assist in the 2-1 defeat at Wuhan Zall the last time out.

The 26-year-old first joined TEDA on loan from Anderlecht in 2017 before making it permanent in 2018. He has since played 73 times in all competitions and has scored 30 goals, providing 17 assists.

Baoshan Wang’s team remain rooted to the bottom of the log with just one point which they secured a 2-2 draw away to Chongqing Dangdai Lifan on matchday two.

They will face Chang Woe-ryong’s side next at the TEDA Football Stadium on Sunday.

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the death of former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles goalkeeper John Felagha on Monday.

Felagha died at the age of 26 in Senegal on Sunday but the cause of his death is yet to be disclosed.

He was a member of the Nigeria U17 team that finished second at the 2009 Fifa U17 World Cup hosted on home soil and was also part of the Nigeria U20 squad that travelled to Turkey for the 2013 Fifa U20 World Cup.

Felagha also made the Flying Eagles cut for the 2013 Toulon Tournament in France and he played in their 1-1 draw against Brazil U21 at the Stade Louis Hon.

At club level, the 26-year-old joined Belgian outfit AS Eupen from Aspire Academy, Senegal in July 2012.

He played two games for the Pandas in the Belgian second division before departing in 2013.

Felagha’s last competitive football outing was in 2013 and he proceeded to coaching at Aspire Academy.

“The sad passing of John Felagha, ex-Flying Eagles goalkeeper, came to us all as a rude shock,” Nigerian Sports Minister, Sunday Dare tweeted.

“He represented Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) & 2015 U20 Fifa World Cup. He was coaching future stars before his sudden demise. May God comfort his family and friends.”

“Former National U17 and U20 goalkeeper John Felagha has died,” the NFF tweeted. “Felagha died on Sunday in Senegal. He was aged 26. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

“KAS Eupen offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of John Felagha,” Eupen wrote on their website.

Porto striker Moussa Marega is aiming to play in the Premier League and he has been contacted by several clubs in England, according to his agent Aziz Ben Aissa.

Marega is said to be attracting interest from Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and West Ham United this summer after contributing 14 goals and seven assists for Porto who won the domestic double of Primeira Liga and Portuguese Cup last season.

The 29-year-old Mali international has been at Porto since 2016 and his current deal is expected to expire in June 2021.

"At 29, Moussa is no longer old enough to have dreams,” Ben Aissa told A Bola.

“Playing in the Premier League, more than an illusion, is an objective, as it will be for most footballers.

“Yes, it is true that I have been contacted by several English clubs.

“If a business arises that allows FC Porto to earn good money with the transfer, that would be perfect and would make Moussa very happy, because what he liked most was to repay FC Porto for the investment made by the club in so many years of contract."

Two years ago, Marega expressed his admiration for the Premier League and his desire to continue his career in England.

"For me, I think this is perhaps the best time to try my luck elsewhere, to live a new experience, to know a new championship, the Premier League, for example,” he said.

"And it hurts me to say that because I am very attached to this club, to its supporters who give me a lot.

"I like this championship for a long time. At the same time, who does not like the Premier League. It's a very big league, with very big players.

"It's flattering when clubs are interested in you, but I have always dreamed of playing there. I want to be happy, with my family, in a championship that I love."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says that Hakan Calhanoglu has the potential to play like a "real AC Milan No. 10" as he believes the attacking midfielder can live up to the pressure that comes with the historic shirt.

Calhanoglu has been with the club since 2017, having joined from German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The Turkey international has fired 23 goals in 129 appearances since making the move to Serie A, being an ever-present player since joining.

Calhanoglu currently wears the No. 10 shirt at Milan, a number previously worn by several club legends.

Ruud Gullit and Clarence Seedorf are among the Rossoneri icons to have worn that shirt number, and Ibrahimovic says he believes that Calhanoglu can reach that level if he continues on his current path.

"When I first met Calhanoglu, I knew hew who he was. I said to him: 'Wearing the No. 10 of AC Milan is a great thing because all the players who wore the 10 were great. It comes with enormous pressure. It's a huge responsibility, but if you work hard you can do it,'" Ibrahimovic told the club's website.

"And in the last six months, I saw him work very hard. A player like Calhanoglu can do it. He did it and has to continue to do it because it's never enough.

"You have to have the mindset that you're never satisfied. In the last six months, he played like a real AC Milan No. 10. I hope he continues like that because he can do great things and can do even more."

Ibrahimovic's stay with AC Milan is set to continue after he signed a new one-year contract on Monday, having rejoined the club in January following a stint in MLS with the LA Galaxy.

The striker will now wear the No. 11 shirt after previously wearing 21 last season.

"I've chosen the No. 11 to play for AC Milan this season," he said. "The fans know me with his number and I wanted to bring it back. Wearing 21, I didn't feel like the same Ibrahimovic of the past, so I asked to have the 11 because it's my number. Simple."

He added: "I've come back here to bring AC Milan back to where it should be and I'll do everything to achieve my goals. We need to work hard and make sacrifices but I think in the last six months of the last season everyone understood what is needed to achieve our goals.

"But we must not forget that we haven't won anything yet. In my mind, my objective is to always win something. That's my objective. I start the season with the objective to win."

Ivan Rakitic will leave Barcelona to make a return to Sevilla this week after reaching an agreement with the club over a contract, Goal understands.

The Croatian midfielder will sign a two-year deal with an option for a third that will see him earn €3 million (£2.7m/$3.6m) per season, a significant cut in his salary from the €8m (£7m/$9.6m) he earned in his final year at Camp Nou.

Rakitic spent three years with Sevilla and made 149 appearances in all competitions, winning the 2013-14 Europa League before making the switch to the Catalan giants in 2014.

After a successful six years with the Blaugrana, in which he lifted four La Liga and Copa del Rey titles as well as a Champions League crown and the Club World Cup, he will return after the two clubs came to an agreement over a nominal fee.

Just three weeks ago, Sevilla sporting director Monchi dismissed the club's chances of bringing Rakitic back to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this summer, saying: "It looks difficult to me, if not impossible. It is so complicated economically that I do not see it."

The 32-year-old has made no secret of his affinity for the Andalusian side, however, and even celebrated their recent Europa League final victory by jumping into his swimming pool fully clothed during an interview.

He had previously been linked with a transfer to Juventus before reports of a possible move back to Sevilla emerged in recent months, but the former Schalke star said as recently as June that he would remain at Barca, where he had one year left on his contract.

Meanwhile, Sevilla have also reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Yassine Bono on a permanent basis from Girona for a €4m (£3.6m/$4.8m) fee.

The 29-year-old spent last season on loan at Julen Lopetegui's team and made 18 appearances in all competitions, including 10 in the Europa League.

The ex-Atletico Madrid player had one season left on his deal at Girona but has committed to a four-year contract with Sevilla.

As well as lifting the Europa League title with a 3-2 victory over Inter, Sevilla finished fourth in La Liga last season.

Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman says that it is unlikely he will return to Paris Saint-Germain any time soon due to Neymar's presence at the club.

Coman came through the PSG academy as a youngster before departing the Ligue 1 giants to join Juventus in 2014.

He made 20 appearances in his one full season with the Italian side and then made the move to Bayern Munich, initially on loan before a permanent deal was struck in 2017.

Coman ended up being the hero of Bayern's Champions League final triumph over his former club, firing the lone goal in the second half to lead the German side to a 1-0 victory over PSG.

The winger admitted that he felt "sick" for his former club following the finale, although he was also just as thrilled to play a part in securing a title for Bayern.

Despite his admiration for PSG, Coman says he has no intentions of returning to his boyhood club as the Ligue 1 champions already have Neymar starring on the left wing.

"It's complicated. If Neymar is on the left. No, it's almost impossible. Paris is not in my career plans," Coman told Telefoot. 

"I have maybe eight to 10 years at a high level, so we can't close the door. In my head, there are memories of childhood. There is a little less good, but I kept the good memories of my time at PSG. "

He added: “PSG will always be my favourite club. But, for me, it was the right decision to leave and maybe if I hadn't left I might not have won this Champions League. 

"I didn't make an easy choice, but I always thought that, with my qualities, I could play for a big club."

Coman featured 38 times for Bayern this season, scoring eight goals in all competitions as the club cruised to another Bundesliga title while securing a historic treble.

He will face increased competition for a place in the team this season, though, following Leroy Sane's arrival from Manchester City.

The German winger made the move to Munich for a  €60 million (£55m/$67m) fee, signing a five-year deal with the club in the process.

David Silva says his sights are firmly set on winning silverware with Real Sociedad following his switch from Manchester City. 

The 34-year-old, who won four Premier League titles, the EFL Cup five times and the FA Cup twice during his time with City, agreed terms on a two-year deal with the Basque club earlier this month. 

Sociedad finished sixth in La Liga in the 2019-20 campaign, though they won just two of their 11 fixtures following the restart.

Silva, though, has seen enough to suggest his new side could challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid for honours in the coming seasons 

"I'm really excited to get started here and meet my new team-mates and the club staff," he told a media conference.

"The team is playing some great football and I hope to add to that here and have some great years at the club.

"I have high expectations in terms of the football we'll be playing and I think we can compete for silverware.

"I'll be an important part of the team and in this case, because of my experience, I'll help the younger players as well.

"I've been lucky enough to win a lot of things in my career, I'm very competitive and I'm going to try and do the same here because that's why I've been brought in."

Silva, who has played for Valencia, Eibar and Celta Vigo in his home country, acknowledged Sociedad's place in next season's Europa League was a motivating factor in his decision to join the club.

"Of course, after so many years playing in Europe, you want to continue doing that," he explained.

"I also came because I like the style of football the team plays. I also came for the relaxed way of life here which I was already familiar with having lived in the Basque Country years ago."

Silva had previously been linked with a move to Lazio, with the news of his signing with Sociedad irking those in charge at Stadio Olimpico.

Club director Igle Tare said in a press release: “I learn about David Silva's transfer to Real Sociedad. I have great respect for the playernot for the man.”

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi will miss the final two games of the season with an injury. 

The Nigeria international suffered a head injury in Amakhosi's 1-0 loss to Bidvest Wits on Sunday, and he was replaced by Bruce Bvuma. 

According to the club's medical team, Akpeyi suffered a concussion and will continue to be monitored by the medical team throughout his recovery process.

"Daniel Akpeyi suffered a concussion on Sunday against Wits. He is ruled out for the next two matches. The medical team will continue monitoring his recovery process. We wish him a speedy recovery," said the club in a statement.

His injury is seen as a massive blow to Amakhosi's title hopes after playing a pivotal role in helping the club sit at the top of the standings for over a year now. 

Akpeyi has featured in 25 of Chiefs' 28 league games, keeping 10 clean sheets and conceding 23 goals.

He has come under fire with the club supporters in recent weeks after conceding eight goals in five games for Chiefs. 

Akpeyi's injury could see the return of Itumeleng Khune who hasn't been in the matchday squads since the resumption of the season. 

In Khune's absence, Ernst Middendorp opted for Bruce Bvuma as his second-choice goalkeeper. 

But with Amakhosi desperate to win their remaining two matches to stand any chance of lifting the coveted PSL trophy. 

As things stand, the Soweto giants are only top of the table due to a superior goal difference to second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Both teams are tied on 53 points with only two matches to go, and Middendorp needs his tried and tested players to do the job for him. 

The German is under pressure to deliver the league title and he is likely to succumb to calls to bring back Khune before it is too late.  

Khune only featured twice in the league for the club while he also made two appearances in the Nedbank Cup where Chiefs eventually lost to Highlands Park on penalties.

He is still regarded as the club's No.1 despite his lack of game of time under Middendorp this season.