Latest news with #Derby
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USMNT: Agyemang completes reported $8 million move to Derby County
Patrick Agyemang is officially an American Abroad, as the U.S. men's national team striker's long-rumored move to Derby County was confirmed Tuesday. The now-former Charlotte FC forward is heading to the English Championship in a deal widely reported to be worth an initial fee of $8 million, with a potential for that figure to rise to $10 million should some unspecified bonus requirements be met. Agyemang's transfer caps off a wild 18 months for the Connecticut native. After starting his pro career off with Charlotte's MLS Next Pro affiliate Crown Legacy FC (where he scored 10 times in 12 appearances), Agyemang was called up to MLS. The early returns weren't anything to write home about: four goals in 16 appearances in all competitions, including just one in 12 MLS league matches. However, Agyemang grew in stature in 2024, scoring 10 goals after taking over as the full-time starter under Dean Smith. That in turn caught the eye of new USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino, who gave the 6-foot-4 striker his first cap in January. Agyemang scored on his debut, and was first-choice throughout this summer's Gold Cup (where he scored two goals). Overall, Agyemang has five goals in his 12 USMNT appearances, and leaves Charlotte having scored eight times in 18 matches this season. Derby will need him to carry on performing at a high level. The Derbyshire-based club were relegated to League One after the 2021-22 season thanks in significant part to a 21-point penalty over financial problems, with the possibility of folding not completely out of the question. The Rams climbed back into the Championship after two seasons, but needed to collect seven points from the final three matches of the season to stay up. Derby finished 19th last season, avoiding the drop by a single point. Agyemang's transfer wasn't necessarily one that Charlotte stood in the way of, but Smith — who has played and coached in the English second tier — last week cautioned the target man to go elsewhere if he was dead set on leaving MLS. L'Equipe had linked Agyemang to interest from Ligue 1 clubs Lens and Nice. "I've had the conversation with Patrick and my answer was, I don't think he should [go to Derby]," Smith said at a press conference. "The Championship is not too much different from MLS. This is a major league over here. You're going to a second league in the U.K."
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
U.S. Forward Patrick Agyemang Joins Derby County, Will Get Hernia Surgery
United States men's national team forward Patrick Agyemang signed a four-year contract with English Championship side Derby County on Tuesday. Derby County, which plays in England's second division, paid a reported fee of $7.7 million to Major League Soccer team Charlotte FC to secure Ageymang's services. The 24-year-old Agyemang scored eight goals in 18 appearances during the first half of Charlotte's current season. Across 59 regular-season matches since 2023, Agyemang has scored 17 times for Charlotte. For the USMNT, Agyemang had two goals at the Gold Cup and started all six games as the team reached the final, where it lost to Mexico. Charlotte described the transfer fee as a club record, though neither team revealed the figure. British media reported it to be $7.7 million. In its statement announcing the move, Derby County said Agygemang will undergo hernia surgey. "Agyemang has been playing for most of the 2025 Major League Soccer season with a hernia injury that has been managed without surgery but meant he has been playing in discomfort," Derby said in its announcement. "With a long-term view in mind, all parties have agreed he will undergo routine surgery and is therefore likely to miss the opening games of the 2025-26 season." The East Hartford, Connecticut native was selected 12th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. "I've heard about [the move] once I was getting into the national team for the Gold Cup," Agyemang said in an interview with Derby's website. "And obviously, in the moment, you're like, 'that's something I'm interested in!' But you want to focus on what you're doing. "Then, as it starts to progress, you start to look more into it. And there is this project I'd love to be a part of. And I just hoped for it to get across the line. And happily, it did." Derby County narrowly avoided relegation back to the third division (League One) last season. The team had played there from 2022-24 after dropping from the Championship (2008-22). The Rams last played in the Premier League in the 2007-2008 season. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 1 Get more from the MLS Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Derby County signs US forward Patrick Agyemang from MLS' Charlotte
DERBY, England (AP) — Second-division club Derby County signed United States forward Patrick Agyemang to a four-year contract Tuesday after paying a reported fee of $7.7 million to Major League Soccer team Charlotte. The 24-year-old Agyemang scored eight goals in 18 appearances during the first half of Charlotte's current season before adding two more for the U.S. in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. Charlotte described the transfer fee as a club record, though neither team revealed the figure. British media reported it to be $7.7 million. 'Agyemang has been playing for most of the 2025 Major League Soccer season with a hernia injury that has been managed without surgery but meant he has been playing in discomfort,' Derby said in its announcement. 'With a long-term view in mind, all parties have agreed he will undergo routine surgery and is therefore likely to miss the opening games of the 2025-26 season.' The East Hartford, Connecticut native was selected 12th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletics star Brent Rooker takes shot at MLB after Home Run Derby defeat
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Major League Baseball's current home run leader, won the 2025 Home Run Derby on Monday night. It was a fitting moment for the game's best catcher, compiling another accomplishment during the best season of his career. And yet, he was unfathomably close to joining the long list of Derby favorites to finish without a trophy. Advertisement Raleigh and Athletics star Brent Rooker both hit 17 home runs in the first round at Truist Park. Both had hit their longest home run at 471 feet. Rather than a swing-off to break the tie, MLB turned to the microscope, finding that Raleigh's homer traveled 470.62 feet, compared to Rooker's 470.54 feet. Rooker isn't alone in his skepticism That, undeniably, is a rough way to lose. It's also not a very entertaining one. Fans traveled to Atlanta and turned to ESPN to watch the game's best players hit home runs, even if it meant enduring a subpar broadcasting effort (the Statcast version on ESPN2 rightfully received much warmer reviews). What's the harm in taking a few more swings in the Cobb County night? Advertisement Rooker spoke after the Derby about his defeat with some not-so-subtle pointers for MLB. "Yeah, that's interesting,' Rooker said, via Anne Rogers. 'Last I knew, we were both at 471, because that's obviously the number they put up there. Maybe if they go to the decimal point, they should display that during the Derby and not wait until everyone's done to bring out that information. That might be helpful.' "... It is what it is. Obviously had a great time out there. Cal's a great competitor. He put on a good performance, too. Rules are the rules in terms of what makes up the semifinals.' MORE: Cubs sign 2.25 ERA relief pitcher after MLB Draft Advertisement There is no evidence to suggest that the league is rigging exhibition events. But if conspiracy theorists were tuning in, MLB didn't do a great job of exonerating itself. The graphic displaying just how slim the margins were went to 10 decimal places. In essence, the broadcast expected fans to believe that it can be precise to the 10 billionth of an inch. It can't. Statcast and the technological booms that made baseball as scientific as it is today have changed the sport for the better and are far more reliable than alternatives. But they aren't perfect and often consist of margins of error. Between minute differences in each baseball, atmospheric conditions at any moment, and several other factors, there's no guarantee a distance projection to the inch is perfect, much less orders of magnitude smaller. Advertisement The graphic, more than anything else, was much like the Derby itself, good-natured and entertaining, if also imperfect. In either event, it's worth noting that Rooker handled his defeat amicably, despite his criticism. "No, no, no, no. Not at all,' Rooker said, regarding potential frustration. 'It was super fun, like I said, a great experience that I'm glad I got.' Raleigh, with his father pitching and brother catching, put on a show. Rooker, for a round, was right there with him. The two will get to have another Derby of sorts in late July when the Mariners visit the Athletics' West Sacramento launching pad. MORE MLB NEWS
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mariners' Star Cal Raleigh Earns Championship Belt from Former Undisputed WWE Champion After Derby Victory
Cal Raleigh (Image Source: calraleigh_/Instagram) Cal Raleigh was on fire Tuesday in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby at Truist Park in Atlanta, becoming the first catcher in history ever, and then the first switch-hitter to take the top prize. Famed for his monster power and regular contribution of big flies, Raleigh not only won the honour but a one-of-a-kind prize, a custom WWE Championship belt awarded by the former Undisputed WWE Champion himself, Cody Rhodes. Cody Rhodes surprises the crowd with a WWE moment Things got electric when "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes showed up after Raleigh's win. And in his iconic WWE gear, Rhodes walked out onto the field to give Raleigh a custom WWE Championship belt designed with MLB and Home Run Derby logos. It was an electrifying moment that combined the worlds of baseball and pro wrestling, getting the fans in the stadium and at home buzzing. The crossover celebration emphasized MLB's plans to combine sports and entertainment over All-Star Weekend. Raleigh, clearly choked up and thrilled, raised the belt high above his head as the cheers rang out around the ballpark. As if the night weren't already legendary, the novelty of the presentation (easily a highlight of the All-Star festivities instantly) also made the night memorable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Warren Buffett Says These 5 Books Are a Must-Read for 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Cal Raleigh's historic path to the championship Cal Raleigh saw the Derby run play out with drama, power, and precision. With 38 home runs, the Mariners slugger entered the event with the most homers in MLB at the All-Star break and proved the reason why he is among the most feared hitters in the game today. Raleigh narrowly edged past Brent Rooker in round one, deadlocked in the home run tiebreaker. The longest homer of the round got Raleigh ahead, but it was narrowly, just 0.08 feet farther than Rooker's best shot. He eased through the semifinals, taking out Oneil Cruz with 19 homers, then finished off the night with 18 homers in the finals to outslug 22-year-old Tampa Bay upstart Junior Caminero, who ended with 15. By hitting an impressive total of 54 home runs in all rounds combined, Raleigh not only took home the $1 million prize but also secured a spot in Derby history. The real family atmosphere continued, with Raleigh's father pitching to him and his brother caging in the earlier rounds — a heart-warming backdrop to all the power of the night. Also Read: WWE megastar Cody Rhodes teases dark turn — Says it's almost time! The reward cemented Raleigh as the second Mariners player to ever take home the Derby, joining Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. With a WWE title belt now in tow, Cal Raleigh's 2025 Derby victory will now be remembered as much for the performance as it will for the pure, unadulterated entertainment value. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
