List of All Articles with Tag 'al'

Jude Bellingham hailed the “proudest day” of his life as he spoke for the first time as a Real Madrid player. Real announced the signing of the 19-year-old England international on Wednesday and he was unveiled in the Spanish capital on Thursday afternoon after signing a six-year deal. The LaLiga giants paid an initial 103million euros (£88.5m) to land Bellingham, who moved to Germany from boyhood club Birmingham in 2020. He had been linked with a return to England with the likes of Manchester City or Liverpool but ultimately decided to join the record 14-time European Cup winners. With his parents watching on, Bellingham said: “Thank you for everyone for joining me on the proudest day of my life. “The day where I joined the greatest football club in the history of the game. There are a lot of people to thank for getting me to this point – Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham City, the people that worked there. “Also the bosses here (at Real Madrid); Mr President (Florentino Perez), Juni Calafat (scout), Jose Angel (chief executive). Thank you for everyone for joining me on the proudest day of my life. The day where I joined the greatest football club in the history of the game Jude Bellingham “Of course, most importantly, my family for all of the support and making the deal as easy as possible, so thank you very much and finally, Hala Madrid.” Bellingham was recently named Bundesliga player of the season after his starring role for Dortmund, who missed out on the title in agonising fashion on the final day of the campaign. Upon his move to Dortmund, Birmingham made the unexpected step to retire his number 22 jersey at St Andrews. Bellingham went on to score 24 goals in 132 appearances in Germany, winning the DFB Pokal in 2021. He scored his first England goal in their World Cup win over Iran but is absent from the squad to face Malta and North Macedonia in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury. Perez, who later presented Bellingham with his new Real Madrid kit – with the midfielder wearing the number five shirt – welcomed the teenager to Madrid. “He decided to join Real Madrid, the most prestigious team in the world,” Perez said at the unveiling. “That is why we welcome today – at Real Madrid – Jude Bellingham. “The day has arrived, the day you always dreamt of, we would like to thank you because you gave everything you have to be here. “Thank you for your ambition – this is the most loved club and from today you will get all the values that represent Real Madrid. “I’m sure you fell in love by watching how Real Madrid got five Champions Leagues in the last nine years, some unforgettable moments…Jude, Santiago Bernabeu is waiting for you. “You will feel the history of this club, all the Madristas gather around this feeling that we will always help you out and do absolutely everything to win every single title.” Bellingham is certainly ready to start challenging for major honours in Spain. He has long dreamt of a move to the 14-time European champions and recently told the PA news agency that he sees the Champions League as “the biggest stage”. “The goal has always been winning,” he said. “When you ask me what my biggest ambitions are in the game, it’s to win everything. And I’m not afraid to say that. “You know, everyone should have that goal, I feel like, as professional footballers.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Caroline Dubois determined to make Tony Disson ‘words come true’ after tragedy Talking points as Northern Ireland head to Denmark for Euro 2024 qualifier Premiership Rugby launches powerful new Sporting Commission

Major ticketing websites including Ticketmaster and SeatGeek Inc. will announce transparency initiatives designed to make it easier for

A review of Lauren Cohan's "Dead City", the Nevada Senate passed the A's stadium bill, Stefon Diggs returned to the Bills and more in the Roundup.

Jude Bellingham will wear the number five jersey, previously worn by club legend Zinedine Zidane, at Real Madrid.

The representatives of Napoli's Kim Min-jae had been looking to broker a deal to send the defender to Manchester United, but Bayern Munich have entered the running and could beat the Red Devils to a transfer at the start of July.

Watch live as Real Madrid unveil Jude Bellingham on Thursday 15 June. The English midfielder has joined Los Blancos on a six-year contract, moving from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund confirmed in a statement last week that Madrid agreed to pay an initial €103m (£88.5m) to land Bellingham. The 19-year-old star is also expected to address the media after he is unveiled. “Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund have agreed on the transfer of the player Jude Bellingham, who will remain linked to our club for the next six seasons,” a statement from the club read on Wednesday. Bellingham, who is currently on England duty, has long been keen on a move to the 14-time European champions and recently said that he sees the Champions League as “the biggest stage”. “The goal has always been winning,” Bellingham said last month. “When you ask me what my biggest ambitions are in the game, it’s to win everything. And I’m not afraid to say that.” Read More Football rumours: Man United end pursuit of Harry Kane over ‘unrealistic’ fee He was the main guy – Jordan James knew Jude Bellingham would reach the top Real Madrid complete signing of Jude Bellingham from Dortmund on six-year deal

West Ham opted to retain David Moyes as manager despite holding talks with former Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier.

West Ham reject Arsenal's first offer for captain Declan Rice but will continue between the two clubs. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are also interested in signing the 24-year-old.

After the Premier League 2023/24 fixtures were published, fans can also plot a path to the first piece of major silverware in 2024 after the Carabao Cup schedule was released. Manchester United picked up the first trophy of the Erik ten Hag era last year in the Wembley final. And the Red Devils will hope to defend their title after edging out Newcastle. Premier League fixtures LIVE: Opening weekend, Christmas matches and full schedules for every club Here are the key dates for this year’s competition, including the Wembley final: Carabao Cup 2023/24 schedule Carabao Cup Round Two - w/c 28 August 2023 Carabao Cup Round Three - w/c 25 September 2023 Carabao Cup Round Four - w/c 30 October 2023 Carabao Cup Quarter-Final - w/c 18 December 2023 Carabao Cup Semi-Final (first leg) - w/c 8 January 2024 Carabao Cup Semi-Final (second leg) - w/c 21 January 2024 Carabao Cup Final - Sunday 25 February 2024 The first major piece of silverware of the 2023/24 will be won on 25 February 2024. Read More Premier League fixtures LIVE: Opening weekend, Christmas matches and full schedules for every club Marcus Rashford couldn’t stomach Man City celebrations but England remain united England’s future is about to be defined – and it’s out of Gareth Southgate’s control

Leeds have appointed former Celtic head of football operations Nick Hammond as “interim football advisor on a short-term contract”. Hammond, 55, will help Leeds with their summer recruitment plans as they continue their search for a permanent director of football. The club said: “Leeds United are pleased to confirm the appointment of Nick Hammond as the club’s interim football advisor on a short-term contract. “Hammond will help support the club during the summer transfer window. “The experienced 55-year-old, former director of football at Reading and head of football operations at Celtic, worked in a similar consultancy role at Newcastle United. “The process for finding a new, permanent, director of football at Leeds United is under way and the club aim to complete this process by October, allowing the successful candidate to focus on the January transfer window.” Former Swindon and Reading goalkeeper Hammond spent 13 years as Reading’s first director of football from 2003 and was West Brom’s technical director before becoming Celtic’s head of football operations in 2019. Leeds parted company with former director of football Victor Orta by mutual consent last month, shortly before being relegated from the Premier League. They are also in the hunt for a new head coach after Sam Allardyce, appointed with four games remaining, left Elland Road earlier this month. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Wales return to Euro 2024 qualifying action against Armenia in Cardiff on Friday. Rob Page’s side began the campaign in March with a 1-1 draw in Croatia and a 1-0 home victory over Latvia. Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Group D clash as Wales aim to build on that promising start. Brooks is back David Brooks would provide one of the most heart-warming stories of the season by returning to the international arena at the Cardiff City Stadium. Brooks was diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma while on international duty in October 2021 and has rejoined the Wales squad for the first time since announcing he was cancer-free in May last year. The 25-year-old attacker returned to action for Bournemouth in March and made his first start last month. Brooks has won 21 caps for Wales and played at Euro 2020 before his illness was diagnosed. Same again, please Duplicating March’s return of four points will do Wales just fine. Taking a point from World Cup semi-finalists Croatia courtesy of Nathan Broadhead’s stoppage-time strike was a bonus that few – if anyone – predicted. Beating Armenia and getting some reward against Turkey in Samsun on Monday would represent a huge step for Welsh ambitions of clinching a top-two spot and reaching the finals in Germany next summer. Johnson boost Wales’ March games were overshadowed by the absence of Brennan Johnson. Boss Rob Page suggested Johnson’s club Nottingham Forest had not done enough to get the forward fit for international duty, a claim which Reds boss Steve Cooper subsequently denied. Whatever the truth of that, Johnson had an impressive maiden top-flight campaign at the City Ground and his return to the Wales squad is a huge boost. Managing post-season break It will be nearly three weeks since the Premier League finished when Wales walk out to take on Armenia. The regular EFL season ended even earlier on May 8 and several members of Page’s squad have not played since. Page organised a Cardiff camp for his non top-flight players last month before taking the entire squad to Portugal to prepare for Armenia and Turkey, but it remains to be seen how match-fit they are heading into the two qualifiers. Painful memories Armenia and Wales have only met twice, in 2002 World Cup qualifying. Both games were drawn, with John Hartson scoring twice in a 2-2 draw at Yerevan’s Republican Stadium in March 2001 after Armenia had been reduced to 10 men. The return game the following September was Wales’ 500th match. But Wales failed to mark the occasion with a win as their World Cup qualification hopes disappeared with a goalless draw at the Millennium Stadium. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Nick Hammond takes on short-term advisory role at Leeds Former London Irish back-row forward Tom Pearson joins Northampton We are treated as small men – Shaunagh Brown wants more done for female athletes

The Premier League fixtures have been announced and fans will already be scouring the list to see when their best games are, when they face rivals and when the trickiest encounters are. We’ve taken a look through the season and chosen five games which are must-see for reasons across the entire span of league objectives, from title fights to avoiding the drop. FOLLOW LIVE: Premier League 23/24 fixtures announced Here are five to watch for throughout the entire campaign which could affect matters top to bottom. Chelsea vs Liverpool - 13 August Both looking to return to the top four after dismal 22/23 seasons, Liverpool and Chelsea will have spent the summer rebuilding their squads - or trimming them - and preparing for a much better start than last year. Mauricio Pochettino couldn’t have been handed a much tougher start and this game takes place on the very first weekend of the season - though, from his perspective, at least it is on home soil. The Reds requested an away day on the first gameweek to allow more time for stadium work to be done, but probably were not hoping for it to be against a club which has spent the best part of a billion pounds on transfers in the previous 12 months. Burnley vs Everton - 16 December Into December and there will be a meeting which could shape up as dictating the battle at the bottom: Championship winners Burnley hosting Everton, who avoided the drop last term on the final day of the season. The game will also mark a return for Sean Dyche to Turf Moor, where Vincent Kompany is now in charge. A potential battle at the bottom could ensue - or will we by then see that the Clarets have done enough to survive, or the Toffees having improved from last year to avoid yet another relegation struggle? Luton vs Newcastle - 23 December How about this for an early Christmas present: the richest club in the world heading to the smallest club and ground in the Premier League. Suddenly-mighty Newcastle, who will have just about wrapped up their Champions League group stage at this point, head on 23 December to the 10,356 capacity Kenilworth Road. That’ll be the smallest in Premier League history if there are no major works done before the campaign gets underway, with tiny Luton proud of their home and ready to welcome the game’s top stars there. Liverpool vs Man City - 9 March We’ll be heading towards the home straight at this point and we’ll already know what teams are really aiming for at both ends; presumably at the top, this massive match will give us an idea of what they are actually capable of. These are the two best teams from the past half a decade, but last year there was a huge gap between them. Are Liverpool back? Has the squad renewal paid dividends? Are Man City an unstoppable juggernaut heading for a second treble in a row...or even all four trophies perhaps? The additional wrinkle here is that the game takes place shortly after a potential piece of silverware for either of these clubs, with the League Cup final at Wembley set for 25 February. Will it be a case of a second marker being put down at Anfield, one way or another? Man United vs Arsenal - 11 May Finally, this could be a late-season battle for a Champions League spot - or even for the title itself. The Gunners fell short last term but will hope to be up and around the top spots again this year after a summer of improvement, while Man United - surely with new owners by this point and another year of progress under Erik ten Hag - might be hoping for a title fight of their own. This fixture takes place on the penultimate weekend of the season and could be the make-or-break game for both clubs, whether they are fighting for the top four or something far more tangible.