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Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Arsenal sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea
The 30-year-old Spaniard spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, making 35 appearances in all competitions. Arsenal had brought in Neto from the Cherries as back-up to David Raya, but the Brazilian has returned to the Cherries following the end of his own season-long loan. Here to raise the levels. Kepa Arrizabalaga is a Gunner. — Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 1, 2025 Kepa, who spent the 2023/24 campaign at Real Madrid, has signed a three-year deal, the PA news agency understands. The fee is reported to be around £5million, with the transfer subject to the completion of regulatory processes. 'I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming,' Kepa told Arsenal's website. 'The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel (Arteta) and (goalkeeping coach) Inaki (Cana), how much they show me their desire to win, I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.' Kepa became the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in a £71m deal during the summer of 2018, going on to win the Europa League and Champions League with the Blues as well as the 2023 UEFA Nations League with Spain. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is confident Kepa will provide plenty of competition for his compatriot Raya. 'He is a player we know, having come up against him many times in recent seasons,' Arteta said. 'He brings a wealth of experience, which his team-mates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has departed Chelsea and joined Arsenal. We thank Kepa for his efforts during his time at Stamford Bridge and wish him well in the future. — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 1, 2025 'Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his team-mates, and we are really excited about his future with us.' Chelsea posted on X: 'We thank Kepa for his efforts during his time at Stamford Bridge and wish him well in the future.' Arsenal also appear to be closing in on deals for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi. The Gunners are in need of midfield reinforcements, with Thomas Partey having become a free agent after his contract expired and Jorginho also leaving the club earlier this month to join Brazilian club Flamengo.
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Wednesday's briefing: Doubts for Man City while promoted sides strengthen
Meanwhile, attention will turn to the Euro 2025 as it kicks off in Switzerland, although neither England nor Wales will be in action before Saturday. Pep Guardiola claimed it was 'too early to say' if Manchester City can be back in title contention next season after he watched them crash out of the Club World Cup with a shock defeat to Al-Hilal in the last 16. City dominated in the group stages but it all fell apart with some familiar defensive failings in the 4-3 extra-time defeat that sent them home. 'I don't know,' said City manager Guardiola afterwards when asked if his team had convinced him they could challenge next term. 'It's too early to say but I saw many, many good things that I didn't see in the past, especially from where we were.' Welcome to Sunderland AFC, Habib Diarra! ❤️🇸🇳 — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 1, 2025 Promoted sides Sunderland and Leeds have been busy in the transfer market as they try to construct squads capable of surviving in the Premier League. Sunderland have paid a club record fee, reportedly £30million, to bring in 21-year-old Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra – who scored against England last month – from Strasbourg. Leeds, meanwhile, have made their second signing from Wolfsburg in the space of a fortnight, with defender Sebastiaan Bornauw following Lukas Nmecha in making the switch. Bornauw is Leeds' third signing of the summer, with Jaka Bijol the other new face. Elsewhere, Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from London rivals Chelsea, seven years after the Blues paid £71m to bring him in from Athletic Bilbao. On the eve of Euro 2025, Wales vice-captain Ceri Holland has revealed how she thought her tournament hopes had ended when she was carried off on a stretcher during their Nations League clash against Denmark in April. The Liverpool winger, 27, was in tears after suffering the injury that saw her leave the stadium in a protective boot but has recovered in time to be part of the squad that has travelled to Switzerland. 'I was very, very lucky. I probably felt the worst,' said Holland. 'With the Euros around the corner that's what was on everyone's minds. Those next 24 hours after the injury were tough, mentally they were very tough.' Holland has scored seven goals in 43 appearances from her wide berth and her Wales development at international level has been replicated on the club stage in the Women's Super League. 💭 Still thinking about that @TrentAA assist… 💭 — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 1, 2025 Trent Alexander-Arnold registered his first assist for Real Madrid as he set up Gonzalo Garcia's decisive goal in their 1-0 Club World Cup win over Juventus. Garcia headed home his third goal of the tournament after 54 minutes to send Madrid into the quarter-finals. Kylian Mbappe was kept in reserve for Real, despite the France forward having recovered from illness to take his place in the matchday squad for the first time at the Club World Cup, but came off the bench in the final 15 minutes. Euro 2025 gets under way in Switzerland with the opening Group A fixtures. First up Iceland play Finland before the hosts take on Norway in the second game. National League side Morecambe appear set to enter administration on Wednesday after talks to end an impasse over a takeover deal failed to find a resolution.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Sam Kerr sports a VERY different look as she joins some of the world's biggest soccer stars in new campaign
Matildas captain Sam Kerr has turned heads with her new look after appearing alongside some of the world's best footballers in a recently launched Nike campaign. Kerr, 31, joined the likes of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Real Madrid 's Kylian Mbappé, Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer, Spanish forward Alexia Putellas and Brazilian icon Ronaldinho in the clip where attack-minded play is lauded. In the Scary Good advertising campaign, Kerr is labelled 'Australia's most dangerous striker.' It comes as Kerr, 31, inches towards a return to the pitch after 18 months out while she recovers from rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee. Her actual return date to competitive football remains unknown, but both the Matildas and Chelsea would have been buoyed by the recent scenes at the Sam Kerr Football Centre in Western Australia. Kerr was back running and in the gym, and with the Women's Super League beginning on September 6, the Blues want her approaching peak fitness. She was not named in the team's 33-player squad to take on Slovenia and Panama in friendlies to be held on June 26 and 29, and July 5 and 8. New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro stressed patience is key with Kerr, who is also desperate to play in the Asian Cup next year on home soil. 'It's fundamentally a situation where she's now building her physical capacity, and we'll monitor that,' he said. 'The important thing is, we are working with Chelsea to make sure she's right for pre-season. 'It is an individual sort of process, but it's great to have her around the group, and her energy is fantastic.' Kerr's progress with the knee has been the subject of heavy speculation as it has taken longer than expected. In April, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor revealed Kerr would not return before the end of the Women's Super League season in England. In early June, Montemurro revealed that the striker had been forced to undergo a second surgical 'intervention' on a fresh mystery injury that had been kept a secret from fans. It was reported that Kerr returned to Australia to undergo the procedure and she made a surprise appearance at the A-League Women's grand final in May. That visit came just after Kerr and her fiancée - fellow footballer Kristie Mewis - announced the arrival of their baby boy Jagger. The couple's relationship began around 2020, gaining public attention during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 when they shared a heartfelt moment on the field. They officially confirmed their relationship in August 2021 through an Instagram post. In September 2023 they got engaged, announcing it publicly in November of the same year. Their engagement was followed by the news in November 2024 that they were expecting their first child. They are expected to marry in December this year.
