Mike Elko knows Texas A&M has been talking about winning its first national championship since 1939 for many, many years

Liverpool are considering rivalling Chelsea's bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Declan Rice’s ambition to play “at the very highest level” was behind his “tough” decision to leave West Ham. The 24-year-old’s departure from the club he joined a decade ago in a club-record £105million deal – making him the most expensive English player in history – was confirmed by the Hammers ahead of his imminent move to Arsenal. Rice’s last act as a West Ham player was to become only the third captain in their history, behind Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, to lift a major trophy after last month’s Europa Conference League victory over Fiorentina. But the England international wants to play in the Champions League and that is something Arsenal can offer. In a letter to fans, Rice said his goodbyes after “an absolute whirlwind of emotion” over the last few weeks. “I want you to know how tough a decision it has been for me to leave an environment that I have loved and cherished so much,” he said. “This club and its supporters will always be in my heart, and forever a part of who I am. “Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game. “Playing on the opposite team to West Ham for the first time will be an unusual experience. “I’m not sure yet exactly how I will feel, but I also know you will all understand and respect that my professional loyalties have to now lie with my new club.” Joint-chairman David Sullivan revealed last month the club had a gentleman’s agreement with Rice to allow him to leave this summer after the player turned down the offer of a highly-lucrative new contract. “I am sorry to see Declan leave us but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football,” he said in a statement. “I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan. We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future. “However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United.” Rice made 245 appearances for the club, his last helping secure a first trophy since 1980, and manager David Moyes was understandably sad to see him leave. “I’d like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United,” he said. “Obviously it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward. “As history shows, no player is ever bigger than the club. “Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented Europa Conference League title-winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful academy.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Declan Rice leaves West Ham for record fee with Arsenal move imminent Alex Greenwood happy with ‘humble’ England’s chances at Women’s World Cup Ireland’s Niamh Fahey says nothing can truly prepare team for World Cup opener

Caesars Sportsbook is offering the biggest MLB All-Star game bonus in the business. Following an initial deposit, your first wager of up to $1,250 will be covered by Caesars and refunded as bonus bets if you lose.That means you can bet on anything you'd like and will get a second chance if ...

The return of Champions League soccer to Old Trafford will be a reminder of happier times for Erik ten Hag when Manchester United hosts Galatasaray

As the Steelers look to make the leap in the 2023 season, these three players might not make it through the end of training camp with Pittsburgh.There are never not high hopes for the Pittsburgh Steelers based on the track record of head coach Mike Tomlin since he took over patrolling the sideli...

Kepa Arrizabalaga has been asked about negotiations over a permanent transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid. The goalkeeper joined Los Blancos on loan for the 2023/24 season back in August.

Miles Sanders relishes the idea of becoming the Carolina Panthers every down back this season, a role he didn’t always have with the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles

If you’re a seasoned sports bettor, you’ve probably already signed up with some of the more popular sportsbooks.But did you know that you have exclusive access to one of the best offers in the business at SI Sportsbook?Sports bettors in Michigan who sign up with SI Sportsbook and...

It didn’t take long for Sam Bachman to make his big league debut

Former champion Stan Wawrinka shrugged off his 38 years to reach the French Open second round on Monday, winning a five-set marathon against Albert Ramos Vinolas which stretched...

Bernardo Silva is determined to right a wrong after firing Manchester City back to the Champions League final. The Portugal playmaker struck twice as City overpowered Real Madrid 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday to set up a clash with Inter Milan in next month’s Istanbul showpiece. It marks a return to the final for City two years on from their disappointing loss to Chelsea on European club football’s top night and Silva wants to ensure the result is different this time. The 28-year-old said: “The final of the Champions League is always an unbelievable occasion. “I’ve only played it once and the outcome was wasn’t very happy for me. Let’s try and change that. “We know that we play against a very tough team. I watched their game on Tuesday and they are very organised collectively. “We’re going to study them, follow the manager’s plan once again and try to, individually and collectively, put out the best possible performance, like this one, to be as close as possible to winning that game.” City produced one of the greatest performances in the club’s history to move a step closer to winning the competition for the first time. Real Madrid, the holders and 14-time winners of the trophy, had no answer to City’s dizzying combination of movement, speed, strength and cutting edge. City made a blistering start and maintained the intensity throughout. Silva put them into a thoroughly deserved lead after 23 minutes and added a second before the interval. An Eder Militao own goal and late Julian Alvarez strike made the scoreline 5-1 on aggregate and truly reflective of their superiority. Victory could have been even more emphatic with Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois making three fine saves to deny Erling Haaland. City’s display ensured sweet revenge for their loss to the same opponents in the semi-finals last year. “I’m very happy because the performance was amazing,” Silva said. “From minute one, the pressure that we put on Real Madrid’s defence – we pushed them back and we created lots of chances. “And with our people – the energy – we felt the momentum that we created. It helped a lot. “The second half started in a weird way where they put us under a bit of pressure but I think the team was very resilient, very organised, and the difference from this year to last year was the chances – we created most of them. We took them and we scored the goals.” The Champions League final could be the crowning moment of a glorious treble for Pep Guardiola’s City this season. They will claim the first of the three trophies they are chasing if they beat Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. Silva said: “Yes, with our people again. Hopefully we can give them another happy day and give them the special moment of winning five (Premier Leagues) in six years, which is not easy in this country. “We’re going to rest, sleep well, eat well and prepare well to be at our best and give that happiness to them because they deserve it.” Read More Rumours: Man Utd ‘agree terms’ with Napoli defender, PSG target Silva Man City reach perfection with Real Madrid humiliation that raises complex questions Man City crush holders to book Champions League final return Bernardo Silva’s unique talents lead Man City’s evisceration of Real Madrid Man City vs Real Madrid LIVE: Result and reaction as City make Champions League final Can Pep get the better of Carlo? – 5 talking points ahead of City’s semi-final