United States international Gio Reyna has completed a move to French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg from Borussia Monchengladbach on a five-year contract.
The transfer brings an end to the midfielder’s seven-year spell in the German Bundesliga.
Throughout his time in Germany, the creative playmaker featured for both Borussia Dortmund and Gladbach but frequently struggled to maintain full fitness.
A fresh start in France
Reyna initially rose to prominence during a six-season stint with Dortmund, registering 19 goals and 18 assists across 147 appearances in all competitions.
However, subsequent moves failed to ignite his stalling domestic career.
An underwhelming loan spell at Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest preceded a permanent switch to Gladbach in 2025.
His time at Borussia-Park proved equally frustrating, with the American managing just one goal and a single assist across 20 appearances.
International pedigree remains intact
Despite his club-level frustrations, the attacking midfielder has remained a crucial figure for his national team.
He boasts 43 caps and 10 goals for the United States, recently scoring a spectacular effort during a 4-1 victory over Paraguay at this summer’s World Cup.
Gladbach departure confirmed
Gladbach head of sports Rouven Schröder acknowledged the player’s undeniable talent but lamented his persistent injury setbacks.
“Gio is an excellent player who unfortunately only showed glimpses of his potential during his year at Borussia and was unable to consistently demonstrate his ability on the pitch due to a number of injuries.”
Schröder added: “We wish him all the best and every success in this exciting challenge in France.”
Thousands of mourners have lined the streets of Milan to pay their final respects at the funeral of legendary former AC Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi.
The 66-year-old passed away last week following a period of ill health.
His funeral service took place on Tuesday at the historic Sant’Ambrogio Basilica.
Football royalty gathers to pay respects
A host of club greats attended the ceremony, including former team-mates Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten and Clarence Seedorf.
Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Costacurta were also present to honour the revered centre-back.
Although the current Rossoneri squad is away on a pre-season tour of Australia, several uninvolved first-team players joined the congregation.
United States forward Christian Pulisic was among the active squad members to attend the poignant ceremony.
A glittering legacy at the San Siro
Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in football history, the iconic sweeper spent his entire professional career with the Italian giants.
He captained the side for 15 remarkable seasons, amassing 719 appearances and scoring 33 goals.
During his glittering domestic tenure, the one-club man secured 18 major trophies.
His extraordinary haul included six Serie A titles and three European Cups.
International glory and lasting tributes
On the international stage, the formidable defender earned 81 caps for his country.
He was an integral member of the triumphant Azzurri squad that lifted the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
Twelve years later, he bravely captained the national side in the 1994 final defeat against Brazil.
The Italian heavyweights permanently retired his famous number six shirt immediately after he concluded his playing days.
The club will hold a further tribute to their honorary president ahead of a friendly fixture against city rivals Inter on Wednesday.
Everton have agreed a £7m transfer with Arsenal to sign midfielder Christian Norgaard, with the 32-year-old granted permission to undergo a medical on Merseyside.
The Toffees are currently finalising the finer details of the move as manager David Moyes looks to bolster his squad ahead of the new campaign.
The Denmark international only arrived at Emirates Stadium from Brentford last summer, primarily serving as experienced cover in the middle of the park.
However, impending midfield additions in north London have pushed the veteran further down the pecking order, paving the way for his departure.
Moyes seeks European push
Everton narrowly missed out on European qualification last season and have been extremely active in the summer market to bridge that gap.
The Merseyside club have already secured deals for Merlin Rohn, Tyrique George and Hayden Hackney to strengthen their options.
This impending arrival represents a low-risk investment for a player renowned for his outstanding professionalism and tactical reliability.
Despite being recruited as a squad option, the former Brentford enforcer will expect more regular first-team football at Goodison Park.
An ‘immaculate’ professional
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heavily praised the Scandinavian’s work ethic and adaptability during their Champions League campaign last season.
“Christian Norgaard, who is a player who probably prepares the best out of all of them and is somebody who makes all of us better every single day and can play in any position, any condition, whether he plays more or less minutes, his attitude is always immaculate, and that’s a really good example for all of us.”
The Spanish coach also lauded the midfielder’s clarity regarding his squad status following a Carabao Cup victory.
“He did very, very well. But I’m not surprised that when we brought him and we had those discussions, he understood perfectly what his role was.”
Alongside the pursuit of the Danish master of preparation, negotiations remain ongoing regarding a potential move for Canada World Cup defender Alistair Johnston.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed discussions are taking place, although the full-back’s recent appearance in their season-opener suggests a deal is not immediately imminent.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is considering triggering the €60m release clause of Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa to complete his summer rebuild.
The Spanish tactician has identified the Portuguese international as the vital final component needed for his new squad at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso recently overhauled his attacking options by securing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a British record £117m.
Attention has now firmly shifted towards upgrading a defensive unit that has lacked a truly elite presence between the posts.
Seeking a long-term solution
The West London club have struggled to find a reliable first-choice stopper since Thibaut Courtois departed for Real Madrid in 2018.
Robert Sanchez has largely retained the starting role in recent seasons, despite failing to entirely convince a succession of different managers.
His deputy, Filip Jorgensen, notably struggled during a Champions League knockout clash with Paris St-Germain when a desire to play out from the back proved costly.
Costa represents a premium upgrade after coming through the ranks to establish himself as the undisputed number one for both club and country.
Door left open for Premier League move
The highly rated shot-stopper, who boasts 48 international caps, recently helped his boyhood club lift the Portuguese Super Cup following a victory over Torreense.
Despite maintaining a long-term contract with the Primeira Liga champions, the sought-after custodian refused to definitively rule out a summer departure.
“I’ve been linked with leaving this club for some time now. As I’ve done up to now, what I can say is that I’m very happy here and, while I’m here, I will always be the same player and the same person.”
However, the experienced goalkeeper acknowledged the unpredictable nature of top-flight football when pressed further on his future.
“I very much want to keep winning titles for FC Porto, but we all know what the life of a professional player is like.”
“It’s something I can’t promise, but what I can promise is my work and my commitment, as I have done since I started playing for the first team.”
British heavyweight Moses Itauma will face Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF world title at London’s O2 Arena on 29 August.
The highly anticipated bout has been upgraded to championship status following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish the belt in June.
Promoter Frank Warren confirmed that step-aside compensation was provided to original mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.
The Cuban contender has agreed to delay his title opportunity and will now face the winner of the London showdown.
High expectations for British prodigy
Itauma has been widely tipped as the next major star of the premier weight class.
The Chatham fighter boasts a flawless professional record, securing 12 knockout victories in his 14 unbeaten outings.
He demonstrated his devastating power by stopping American Jermaine Franklin in March before dismantling compatriot Dillian Whyte in a single round.
“A lot of people have high expectations of him as I have, by the way,” Queensberry Promotions’ Warren told BBC Sport.
“This is a big moment for him. But I’m confident he can do it.”
Experienced Croatian stands in the way
Hrgovic presents a formidable challenge for the ascending young prospect.
The 34-year-old possesses immense amateur pedigree, having captured an Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
He has accumulated 20 professional victories and most recently secured a ruthless third-round stoppage over Dave Allen in May.
“We know Hrgovic is going to come and give 100%, and 100% of him is hard work for anyone,” Warren added.
Future unification bouts loom
A triumph in August could propel the 21-year-old towards a blockbuster all-British unification clash next year.
WBO champion Daniel Dubois is currently scheduled to contest a rematch with Fabio Wardley in October following their initial encounter.
Should Itauma successfully navigate his upcoming tests, a mega-fight for two world titles could eventually take place at Wembley Stadium in 2027.
Securing the IBF strap this summer would immediately cement Itauma’s legacy as the second-youngest British boxer to win a professional world title in the modern era.
A record-breaking nine Premier League clubs will begin the 2026-27 season with a new permanent manager following a summer of unprecedented turnover.
Almost half of the English top flight has experienced sweeping changes in the dugout ahead of the opening weekend.
The scale of this managerial reshape includes major transitions at heavyweights such as Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
The previous high mark for opening-day appointments was set in 2016-17, when eight teams kicked off under fresh leadership.
Title contenders undergo major dugout transformations
Andoni Iraola has taken the reins at Anfield following the dismissal of Arne Slot.
Meanwhile, the reigning champions replaced the departing Pep Guardiola with Enzo Maresca after the Catalan’s trophy-laden spell at Etihad Stadium concluded.
Xabi Alonso is tasked with leading a senior revolution at Stamford Bridge, succeeding Liam Rosenior after his brief tenure in west London.
Newcastle United are also expected to finalise the appointment of Matthias Jaissle following the resignation of Eddie Howe.
Mid-table upheaval creates unpredictable landscape
The sweeping alterations extend well beyond the traditional elite, with Bournemouth securing Marco Rose to replace the Liverpool-bound Iraola.
Nottingham Forest turned to Oliver Glasner after sacking Vitor Pereira, prompting Crystal Palace to hire Pierre Sage when the Austrian’s deal expired.
Former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa assumes control at Fulham following Marco Silva’s departure.
Ipswich Town moved swiftly to install Gary O’Neil as their successor to the resigning Kieran McKenna.
Arteta remains a rare symbol of longevity
This dramatic turnover leaves Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta as the division’s longest-serving boss, having arrived at Emirates Stadium in December 2019.
Only Atletico Madrid tactician Diego Simeone boasts a longer uninterrupted tenure across Europe’s five major leagues.
The rapid nature of the current hiring cycle is perfectly illustrated by Michael Carrick’s situation at Manchester United.
Despite only being named permanent manager in May after a spell in interim charge, the former England midfielder is already the 11th longest-serving coach in the Premier League.
Carrick is remarkably the seventh permanent figurehead at Old Trafford since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson just over a decade ago.
Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed his desire to coach the national team in the future while expressing concern over Joe Root’s appointment as his successor.
The 35-year-old announced his shock retirement from international cricket in June during a home series defeat to New Zealand.
Speaking on a podcast, the former all-rounder confirmed he is currently undertaking his level three coaching badges to prepare for life after playing.
“I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach,” he stated.
“And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely.”
Surprise over Test captaincy succession
Following his sudden departure, the national side appointed seasoned batter Root as the permanent Test skipper.
The move bypasses Harry Brook, who had been promoted to vice-captain for the previous winter’s Ashes tour in Australia.
Stokes admitted he was surprised by the decision to overlook the young Yorkshireman for the permanent leadership role.
“I understood the reasoning but I was still like, well, what message is that sending to him?” added the former skipper.
“He’s vice-captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he’s not captain. What?”
Definitive retirement and recent struggles
England have endured a difficult period in the longest format, remaining without a Test series victory since late 2024.
Their recent 2-1 defeat by the touring Kiwis followed a heavy 4-1 Ashes loss on Australian soil.
Despite these struggles, the iconic match-winner emphatically rejected suggestions from former team-mate Jos Buttler that he could reverse his decision ahead of the 2027 Ashes.
Root, who previously led the team to a record 27 Test wins between 2017 and 2022, will now work alongside newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming.
The veteran batter steps back into a highly demanding position that previously prompted him to relinquish the role following a heavy defeat in April 2022.
Brazilian UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento has died at the age of 34 following a suspected heart attack in his sleep at his home.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship confirmed the tragic news regarding the veteran mixed martial artist in an official statement on Monday.
This morning, Monday, August 3, our beloved fighter and exemplary flyweight Allan Nascimento was found unresponsive after suffering an apparent heart attack in his sleep.
Emergency medical personnel attempted to revive the athlete but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Despite the efforts of the responding medical team, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The sporting organisation has extended its deepest sympathies to the grieving family, friends, and team-mates of the popular combatant.
Respected career inside the octagon
Throughout a commendable professional journey, the talented grappler secured an impressive 22 victories across 29 competitive bouts.
His final appearance in the cage took place in Las Vegas this past June.
During that encounter, the South American fighter suffered a narrow split-decision defeat against American prospect Mitch Raposo.