Latest news with #Sint-Truiden
Leader Live
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham AFC: Liberato Cacace excited to join 'special club'
The left-back, who has been capped 33 times for New Zealand, has left Serie B side Empoli and signed a contract keeping him at The Racecourse until the end of the 2027-2028 season. Cacace spent the last three-and-a-half years with Empoli having joined initially on loan from Belgium outfit Sint-Truiden in January 2022 before making the move permanent that summer. He was a key player in 2024-25, scoring twice in 33 games in Serie A, but he was unable to help keep Empoli in Italy's top flight and he has decided to move on following their relegation. Despite struggling in the league, there was a run to the semi-final of the Coppa Italia last term and the 24-year-old, who made 76 appearances across three seasons in Serie A, is looking to pick up where he left off for Wrexham in the Championship. "It is not great when you are relegated but on a personal note, last season was my best season for Empoli in terms of goals and assists," said Cacace. "We made the semi-final of the cup and I played every minute on the cup run. "I was very pleased with my development. Over the last three years, I have definitely improved every season and I am just looking to continue from that. "That did create a lot of interest, especially when I was looking to leave at the end of the season. "There were offers but once Wrexham came to the table, this was where my heart was." Cacace was nominated for the Best Men's FIFA 11 Award after lifting the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup with New Zealand as captain, which saw him named the most valuable player at the tournament. He began his career at home-town club Wellington Phoenix, who beat Wrexham 1-0 at Sky Stadium on Saturday in the Reds' final game of the pre-season tour Down Under, before making the move to Europe to join Sint-Truiden in the summer of 2020. The switch to north Wales was completed despite Wrexham being on the other side of the world and Cacace is delighted to join the Reds who made history last season after securing a third successive promotion. "It's been a long process and it's also been difficult with the time-zone with the club being over in New Zealand," said Cacace. "But I am happy to get it over the line and I can't wait to meet everyone. "I have always wanted to play in the UK and there's also the factor of what they are building at Wrexham. MORE WREXHAM AFC NEWS Phil Parkinson reacts to Wrexham's 1-0 defeat to Wellington Phoenix Luke Bolton leaves Wrexham and signs permanent deal with Mansfield Town "Everyone can see that and I wanted to be a part of that as well, and it's also the Championship. "It all fitted into place and it's definitely the right move for me." Wrexham are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and Cacace added: "I think Wrexham would appeal to any player with what they are creating here. "You can't shy away from that. The club is run well and it is a really family orientated club."
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zamalek newly appointed coach Yannick Ferrera vows to meet fans' expectations - Egyptian Football
Zamalek's newly appointed coach Yannick Ferrera said on Friday he is determined to meet the expectations of the club's passionate fanbase and restore the team's status as a continental powerhouse. The 44-year-old Belgian signed a one-year deal with the Cairo giants, replacing interim coach Ayman El-Ramady ahead of the 2025/26 Egyptian Premier League season, which begins on 8 August. 'I held quick negotiations with Zamalek's management as we shared a mutual desire to work together,' Ferrera said in comments published on the club's official website. 'Zamalek is one of the biggest clubs in Egypt. I read that they were the best club of the 20th century, and I hope now to make them the best of the 21st century,' he added. The Belgian coach pledged full commitment from day one. 'If we work together, we will achieve victories. I promise Zamalek's supporters that the players will fight from the first day to the last,' he said. Ferrera arrived in Cairo late on Thursday to finalise the deal and begin preparations for the new season. He brings experience from Belgium's top flight, having previously managed Standard Liege and Sint-Truiden. He won the Belgian Cup with Standard Liege in the 2015–16 season and led Sint-Truiden to promotion from the Belgian Second Division in 2014. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zamalek appoint Belgian Yannick Ferrera as new coach - Egyptian Football
Egyptian giants Zamalek have appointed Belgian coach Yannick Ferrera as their new manager on a one-year contract, replacing interim coach Ayman El-Ramady. The 44-year-old Ferrera arrived in Cairo late on Thursday to finalize the deal and begin preparations for the upcoming Egyptian Premier League season, which kicks off on 8 August. Ferrera, who has previously managed Standard Liege and Sint-Truiden in Belgium, brings valuable experience to the Cairo-based club. He won the Belgian Cup with Standard Liege in 2015-16 and led Sint-Truiden to promotion by claiming the Belgian Second Division title in 2014. Managerial career highlights His coaching career began in 2004 with Anderlecht's youth team, where he worked alongside future stars Romelu Lukaku and Adnan Januzaj. He later served as assistant coach to Michel Preud'homme at AA Gent and followed him to Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab. Ferrera took charge of Sint-Truiden in 2013, guiding them to top-flight promotion. He then managed Standard Liege starting in September 2015. More recently, he gained experience in the Saudi Professional League, leading Al-Fateh in 2019 and Al-Riyadh in 2023. In 2024, he joined Belgian side RWD Molenbeek in a relegation battle, but the club was ultimately demoted. Zamalek's search for a new coach Zamalek have been searching for a permanent coach since the departure of Portuguese manager José Peseiro last season. Peseiro was hired in February to replace Swiss coach Christian Gross, becoming the club's third coach that season. Under interim coach Ayman El-Ramady, Zamalek won the Egypt Cup but finished third in the Egyptian Premier League with 47 points, eleven behind champions Ahly. They have qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup for the upcoming season. The Egyptian Premier League is scheduled to run from 8 August through late May next year. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Kyodo News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Machida joins Hoffenheim, Fujita moving to St. Pauli
KYODO NEWS - 11 hours ago - 13:00 | Sports, All Japan defender Koki Machida has joined Hoffenheim from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise while midfielder Joel Chima Fujita is moving to St. Pauli from Sint-Truiden, the respective German Bundesliga clubs said Friday. Machida played six seasons for his boyhood club Kashima Antlers before joining Saint-Gilloise in January 2022. The 27-year-old helped the Belgian side win their first league title in 90 years this past campaign. The 23-year-old Fujita, who captained Japan U-23 at the Paris Olympics last summer, is making the move to the Bundesliga after two seasons in Belgium. The Tokyo Verdy youth product made his professional debut at the club in 2019, then in the J-League second division, before playing for Tokushima Vortis and Yokohama F Marinos in J1. Defender Daiki Hashioka, meanwhile, completed his move from Luton Town to Czech champions Slavia Prague, who will play in next season's European Champions League. The 26-year-old former Urawa Reds player was also on the books at Sint-Truiden before he joined Luton in January 2024. He could not help Luton stay in the English Premier League, however, and the team then suffered a double relegation this past campaign after finishing 22nd in the second-tier Championship. Related coverage: Football: Spurs to sign 20-yr-old Japan defender Kota Takai from Kawasaki
Kyodo News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Machida joins Hoffenheim, Fujita moving to St. Pauli
KYODO NEWS - 1 hour ago - 13:00 | Sports, All Japan defender Koki Machida has joined Hoffenheim from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise while midfielder Joel Chima Fujita is moving to St. Pauli from Sint-Truiden, the respective German Bundesliga clubs said Friday. Machida played six seasons for his boyhood club Kashima Antlers before joining Saint-Gilloise in January 2022. The 27-year-old helped the Belgian side win their first league title in 90 years this past campaign. The 23-year-old Fujita, who captained Japan U-23 at the Paris Olympics last summer, is making the move to the Bundesliga after two seasons in Belgium. The Tokyo Verdy youth product made his professional debut at the club in 2019, then in the J-League second division, before playing for Tokushima Vortis and Yokohama F Marinos in J1. Defender Daiki Hashioka, meanwhile, completed his move from Luton Town to Czech champions Slavia Prague, who will play in next season's European Champions League. The 26-year-old former Urawa Reds player was also on the books at Sint-Truiden before he joined Luton in January 2024. He could not help Luton stay in the English Premier League, however, and the team then suffered a double relegation this past campaign after finishing 22nd in the second-tier Championship. Related coverage: Football: Spurs to sign 20-yr-old Japan defender Kota Takai from Kawasaki
