Palace win and lose in FC Augsburg friendly
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Vancouver makes a splash, signing Thomas Müller after Bayern Munich exit
Former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller in joining the Vancouver Whitecaps in arguably the biggest signing in club history. Müller, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, will join the Whitecaps for the remainder of the season in an open roster spot. Terms of the deal were not released. It includes an option that would make Müller a Designated Player for 2026. 'Whitecaps – let's make history,' Müller said in a video he posted online Wednesday that showed him unboxing a Vancouver jersey. The 35-year-old Müller has spent the last 17 years with Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga, helping the club win 13 league championships and 33 total titles during that span. He scored 250 goals in 756 appearances with Bayern across all competitions, but his contract was not renewed after last season. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Müller scored five goals. He also scored five goals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, winning the Golden Boot. Müller's final match with Bayern came this summer at the Club World Cup, losing 2-0 in the quarter-finals to Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta. He came into the match as a late substitute. Müller joined Bayern's academy as a 10-year-old in 2000. He made his senior debut under Jürgen Klinsmann in 2008 and his breakthrough came under Louis van Gaal the following season. The club announced in a joint statement in April that it would be his last season. In a post on social media, Müller said he understood Bayern's decision 'even if this did not reflect my personal wishes.' 'Thomas Müller is the definition of a Bavarian fairytale career; he grew in Bavaria and with Bayern,' club president Herbert Hainer said. 'Nobody has won more Bundesliga titles, and 33 trophies in total so far speak volumes. He ranks among the most outstanding personalities in FC Bayern history.' Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer after newsletter promotion Müller retired from international soccer after last year's European Championship, having scored 45 goals in 131 appearances for Germany. The Whitecaps obtained Müller's MLS discovery rights from FC Cincinnati in exchange for up to $400,000 in General Allocation Money to complete the signing. He will occupy an international roster spot. 'Thomas is a natural leader whose passion for the game is infectious. This is a statement signing by our club and our ownership – a transformative moment for our club and our city,' Vancouver sporting director and CEO Axel Schuster said in statement. Müller is set to arrive in Vancouver next week. His first practice and introductory news conference with the club are scheduled for Thursday. In a video provided by the Whitecaps, Müller said: 'They (the fans) can expect that I'm always 100%. You can watch my skills in YouTube videos or several TV shows, but you can expect that I'm fully into it. And for me, that's the most important part.' The Whitecaps (13-5-6) are second in the MLS Western Conference standings behind expansion San Diego FC.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Real Betis vs Como friendly descends into chaos with ex-Premier League ace SLAPPING opponent and punches thrown
A so-called friendly between Real Betis and Como descended into chaos after players from both sides were seen throwing punches at one another. The Spanish and Italian clubs were playing their penultimate friendlies before the competitive season starts for them. 8 8 8 8 But Wednesday evening proved the two sides had certainly found their competitive edge in pre-season. Cesc Fabregas ' Serie A side won the clash 3-2, but not before trying to go 12 rounds with their rivals after a stunning brawl broke out at the end of the first half. Former West Ham star Pablo Fornals was at the centre of the brawl as he exchanged blows with Máximo Perrone. The rivals were seen squaring up to one another before they got involved in a shoving match. That was abruptly ended when Fornals appeared to PUNCH Perrone, with the Argentine then trying strike the 29-year-old. However, he was unable to do so as Betis and Como players rushed over to intervene, before many of them also ended up in grappling matches of their own while trying to diffuse the situation. There was one unfortunately funny moment in the melee as Cucho Hernandez came flying in to try and land a punch on a rival, only to punch his own team-mate, Natan, in the face instead. Fornals avoided being sent off despite landing the first blow, with the same lack of punishment also going to Hernandez following his attempted flying punch. Meanwhile, former Manchester City star Perrone was not so lucky and was sent for an early shower. In the aftermath, ex- Arsenal star Hector Bellerin tried to speak to the referee to get the situation under control. Dele Alli tipped for Rangers switch | Transfers Exposed But the Spaniard instead became more and more animated himself as he grew frustrated with the referee after he had also sent him off. The 30-year-old was guided away from the official while still protesting, before tempers between the teams flared again by the tunnel. Bellerin's red card was reversed before the end of the first half. It remains to be seen whether any retrospective punishment could be enforced. Europa Conference League runner-up Betis take on newly-promoted Elche in their La Liga opener. On the other hand, Como - who recently "banished" Dele Alli from their squad - will play Suditrol in the first round of the Coppa Italia before facing Lazio in their Serie A opener. 8 8 8
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Mikel Arteta offers Viktor Gyokeres verdict after Emirates debut in pre-season defeat to Villarreal - as Gunners boss singles out academy starlet for praise
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted £64million summer signing Viktor Gyokeres will be in a 'very good position' by the time the Premier League season begins after his first pre-season start. The Gunners were beaten 3-2 at home by Villarreal on Wednesday night as the big-money summer signing made his home debut at the Emirates. Gyokeres had limited opportunities to score on his first start for the club, with the Swedish forward playing an hour of the match. His best chance came just before he was substituted, but saw a powerful strike well saved by the Villarreal goalkeeper. The forward had joined Arsenal following a protracted move from Sporting Lisbon, where he had scored 97 goals in 103 matches for the club. With Gyokeres having only a brief cameo in Arsenal's pre-season loss to Tottenham prior to his hour on Wednesday, Arteta insisted the forward will be up to speed by the time the new season starts. 'I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team. 'He's been with us only a week or so, but I really saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking certain spaces. 'So in general, for a lot of players that haven't played many minutes, we have a lot now that they're going to be ready for Saturday in a much better condition.' 'I hope days, and every day in training I think he's getting a really good feeling. I think he's getting connections as well outside, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to get in the position that he needs to get in. 'On his fitness level, I think he hasn't trained really with the team for two months, so he's done now six or five sessions I think before today, so I think on Saturday again he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.' Arsenal will face further LaLiga opposition on Saturday when they host Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup, before their Premier League opener away at Man United on August 17. The Gunners will hope to have Kai Havertz available again after he missed the defeat by Villarreal with a minor injury. Arteta also offered praised to 15-year-old academy star Max Dowman for his 'incredible' attacking contributions after another eye-catching pre-season performance. With Arsenal trailing 3-1, Dowman showed quick feet to fool a Villareal defender and induce a foul, resulting in the Gunners being awarded a penatly. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard acknowledged Dowman's contribution after scoring the penalty to reduce the deficit. It was the second penalty Dowman has won in pre-season after help Arsenal win 3-2 against Newcastle on their tour of Asia. The highly-rated youngster also drew the attention of home fans were several darting runs and crosses in the latter stages of the friendly against Villarreal. Arteta praised the youngster and admitted that despite his young age he will continue to deserve chances if he continues to make an impact from the bench. 'Max (Dowman) is moving so fast - even last year when he was training with us, he was doing these kind of things and now he is doing them in the games,' Arteta said. 'The efficiency he shows in every attacking action is incredible. He deserves to have chances and if he continues like this let's see what happens. When asked whether Dowman could be involved in the Premier League, Arteta added 'Let's see how it goes, let's go into Saturday, into the break as well. 'He needs a little break as well because he hasn't had any holidays really, so in the next few days he's going to have a break which I think he needs and then he'll probably be ready again to go.'
