Author: Opalim Lifted

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has signed a new long-term contract with the club. The 31-year-old Argentina international has extended his stay until 2029. Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal for £17m in 2020 and has made over 150 appearances for the club. The 2022 World Cup-winner kept nine clean sheets in 34 Premier League games last season as Unai Emery’s side finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League for the first time. This summer he played all six games as Argentina retained their Copa America title, becoming victors for a record 16th time.

Atletico Madrid have signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea on a five-year deal, the LaLiga and the Premier League clubs said on Wednesday. Gallagher, who had been at Chelsea since the age of eight, has signed contract until 2029 with Atletico who have paid 42 million euros for the 24-year-old, according to media reports. “We wish Conor the very best as he begins a new chapter in his career,” Chelsea said in an official announcement published in their website. Gallagher spent the early part of his senior career on loan, including spells at Premier League clubs West Bromwich Albion…

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international football. The 2014 World Cup winner was capped 124 times, with his final game for Germany coming last month in their Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat by Spain. The 38-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper made his international debut in 2009 and featured in eight major tournaments. Neuer started Germany’s World Cup final victory over Argentina in Brazil and was named captain before the 2018 World Cup, a role he held until being replaced by Ilkay Gundogan earlier this year. This week Gundogan also announced his retirement from international football – both announcements…

Chelsea have signed Portugal forward Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on a seven-year deal, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. Financial details were not disclosed, but English media reported that Chelsea paid around 46 million pounds ($59.95 million) to secure the 24-year-old’s return to Stamford Bridge. Joao Felix impressed during his six-month loan spell at Chelsea in the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals in 20 appearances. He spent the last campaign on loan at Barcelona, scoring 10 goals in 44 games. Atletico signed Felix from Benfica in 2019 for a club-record fee of 126 million euros ($140 million). He…

Cristiano Ronaldo, the most followed person on social media and considered by many to be one of the greatest football players of all time, launched his own YouTube channel. The channel called “UR . Cristiano” launched on Wednesday will see the 39-year-old, who currently captains both Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and the Portuguese national side, discuss his “greatest passion” (football), according to the announcement, as well as “his other interests, including family, wellness, nutrition, preparation, recovery, education, and business.” It will also see Ronaldo chat with various guests. “I am very happy to make this project come to life,”…

The British Army has announced a new recruitment for Nigerians and other Commonwealth citizens, inviting applications for various roles within its armed forces. The recruitment window is open from August 19, 2024, to August 26, 2024. Interested candidates from Nigeria are sought for positions including musicians, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Engineers Technicians, tradesmen, and paratroopers. The British Army emphasised the critical role of Commonwealth soldiers in its ranks and their continued importance within the organization. Applications must be linked to the Recruit Bounty Referral Scheme, except for those applying as musicians. Candidates will be required to undergo several…

Traffic at one of Japan’s busiest airports was halted recently when a pair of scissors went missing. Concern about the scissors which had been used at a store in the departure waiting area of a domestic flight resulted in an hours-long security search of New Chitose Airport (CTS), which serves the Sapporo area on the northern island of Hokkaido. According to the airport, 36 flights were canceled on August 17 and another 201 were delayed amid the search. There were concerns that a potential terrorist could have taken the scissors and used them as a weapon on board a flight.…

A Chinese investment group, Zhongshang Fucheng racing to recover up to $70 million in arbitration awards from Nigeria has concluded plans to list two residential structures it confiscated from the country for sale on global online marketplace eBay. Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd took possession of two buildings linked to the Nigerian government in Liverpool, United Kingdom, in June 2024, years after Nigeria failed to settle an arbitration judgement handed down in 2021, People’s Gazette reported. The properties, 15, Aigburth Hall Road, Liverpool and Beech Lodge, 49, Calderstones Road, Liverpool, were targeted after a December 2021 British court order gave…

A crocodile killed a woman bathing in a river in eastern Indonesia, police and locals said Wednesday, with villagers later recovering parts of her body from the slaughtered animal. Indonesia is home to several species of Crocodylidae that regularly attack and kill humans. Halima Rahakbauw, 54, was swimming in a river in Wali village on the Maluku islands after spending Tuesday morning looking for clams when the reptile struck. Rahakbauw’s neighbour, Rustam Ilyas, said relatives and friends started a search when she failed to return home. After spotting a sandal and a body part in the river, villagers reported the…

Cole Palmer has been named the 2023/24 PFA Young Player of the Year. The 22-year-old collected the award from Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola at a ceremony held in Manchester on Tuesday. The England forward, who left Manchester City for Chelsea last summer, scored 22 goals and registered 11 assists during his debut season at Stamford Bridge. While Palmer missed out on the top prize, his impressive debut season at Chelsea was rewarded with the Young Player of the Year award. The Chelsea forward defeated Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, former Crystal Palace player Michael…