Category: Sports

Niger Tornadoes have beefed up their squad with the signing of Usman Audu, DAILY POST reports.

Audu joined the Ikon Allah Boys from El-Kanemi Warriors.

He reunited with Kabiru Dogo who was his coach at El-Kanemi Warriors last season.

Audu played a key role in the Borno Army’s President Federation Cup triumph last season.

DAILY POST recalls that Niger Tornadoes announced the arrival of five new players last week.

Niger Tornadoes are strengthening their squad following the departure of several of their key players.

NPFL: Niger Tornadoes snap up Audu from El-Kanemi Warriors 

Katsina United have promoted two of their most promising U-19 players to the senior team, DAILY POST reports.

The promoted players are Umar Rabiu Mohammad and Abdurraman Saidu.

The players have also signed their first professional contracts with the Chanji Boys.

They now are expected to start with the first team ahead of the new season.

Mohammed and Saidu will fight for a place in the team.

Katsina United finished in ninth position in the NPFL last term.

NPFL: Katsina United promote two youngsters to senior team 

Former Manchester City player, Joao Cancelo, has expressed that he would prefer to stay away from playing football for an entire season rather than continue at Al Hilal.

He said this ahead of his transfer to Barcelona, revealing that he has accepted a reduction in salary to join the Blaugrana this summer.

The Portuguese defender is poised to end his contract with Al-Hilal this summer.

He will officially join Barcelona, signing a three-year agreement. Prior to the formal announcement, Cancelo has already shared his enthusiasm about playing for the Spanish club.

Upon arriving in Spain, the former Manchester City player stated via Barca Blaugranes, “I’m very happy, I’m very pleased to be here, I’m where I want to be.

“I trained separately for a week. I informed Deco that it was either I came here or I would spend a year there without playing, while still receiving my salary.

“I sacrificed part of my salary, but it was either signing for Barça or nothing. It’s a very special club, I’m here to contribute and I hope to achieve many titles. We’re constructing a great team.”

Cancelo played for Barcelona last season, having joined on loan from Al-Hilal in January of this year. He made 23 appearances in various competitions, netting four goals and providing four assists.

The 32-year-old also had another loan stint at the Blaugrana during the 2023-24 season when he transferred from Manchester City. He recorded four goals and five assists in 42 matches across competitions during that period.

Transfer: ‘Either I join Barça or spend a year without playing’ – Cancelo takes salary cut

Former Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has praised the Gunners’ recent acquisition, Christos Tzolis, following their Community Shield victory against Manchester City.

The Premier League champions secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday, with Tzolis contributing two assists.

Mikel Arteta demonstrated his trust in Tzolis by including him in the starting lineup for the match against City.

The 24-year-old, who previously played for Norwich City in the Premier League, made significant contributions in the attacking phase.

After Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring for Arsenal within the first 25 seconds in Cardiff, it was Tzolis who set up Kai Havertz for a goal.

The Greece international maneuvered behind Abdukodir Khusanov and elevated himself to head Martin Odegaard’s cross into Havertz’s path for a straightforward finish.

Tzolis then assisted Odegaard in sealing the victory just three minutes into the second half, delivering a precise pass from the left to the Arsenal captain inside the penalty area.

Gibbs expressed his admiration for the transfer activities undertaken by the Gunners this summer. He highlighted the signings of Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes as ‘really good’ acquisitions for the club.

In a discussion on ESPN FC, Gibbs said, “Some really, really good business from them so far in the window. With these two signings we’re clearly seeing at the moment that it’s definitely working out.”

Gibbs commended Guimaraes for his aggression and ability to pass the ball forward. In contrast, Tzolis was described as an efficiency powerhouse, always aiming to challenge the opponents.

He said, “Guimaraes has added aggression and a progressive passer. Then you have Tzolis who is just effective and an efficiency monster, I love how he always looks to hurt the opposition.

“These are two excellent additions, and I believe they will continue to make an impact in the market.”

Arsenal will kick off their 2026/27 Premier League season against the newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday at the Emirates Stadium.

Transfer: ‘Aggressive, always like to hurt opposition’ – Kieran Gibbs hails two Arsenal summer signings

Spain midfielder, Rodri, has explained why he chose Barcelona over Real Madrid.

Rodri on Monday, flew into Barcelona ahead of finalising his £65.4m move from Manchester City.

The 32-year-old had been heavily linked with Real Madrid and even spoke with senior officials from Los Blancos.

But he will now play for Madrid’s biggest LaLiga rivals.

Speaking to the media at the airport, Rodri said: “I’m happy to be here; it’s been a few intense days, and I’m thrilled to be here.

“Playing for Barcelona is a dream. We’re going for the Champions League and everything else that comes our way.”

Rodri’s medical is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday), and he will sign a four-year contract.

LaLiga: Why I snubbed Real Madrid for Barcelona – Rodri

Spain international, Rodri, will wear the number 16 shirt at Barcelona.

This was disclosed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, in a post on X

“Rodri has asked to wear number 16 at Barcelona during his conversations with Fermín López over recent days,” Romano wrote.

“Fermín, set to switch to number 7 so Rodri will maintain his iconic 16.”

Rodri is all set to join Barcelona from Manchester City.

The midfielder will sign a four-year deal with Barcelona this week, which will see him remain at Camp Nou until June 2030.

The Ballon d’Or winner was not part of the Manchester City squad that lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Rodri’s shirt number at Barcelona revealed

Barcelona legend, Sergio Busquets, has landed a new coaching job.

The 38-year-old has returned to Barcelona to begin his coaching career with the reserve team, Barça Atlètic, as Assistant Coach in the Spanish fourth tier.

He will form part of manager Juliano Belletti’s staff this season while completing his coaching course.

Busquets joined Barcelona as a teenager back in 2005 and made 25 appearances for the reserve team before breaking into the first team.

The former Spain international eventually left Barcelona in 2023 to join Inter Miami and retired from professional football in 2025.

Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets lands new coaching job

Belgian Pro League club Cercle Brugge have announced the signing of Nigerian-born defender Tayo Adaramola.

Adaramola, who joins the Green and Blacks from Premier League outfit, Crystal Palace signed a contract until 2030.

The 22-year-old is not new to Belgian football, having spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan with RWD Molenbeek.

The left-back came through the youth ranks at St Kevin’s Boys and St Mochta’s, before making the move to the Crystal Palace Academy in 2015.

Adaramola, who was born in Dublin to Yoruba Nigerian parents, has already represented Republic of Ireland at different age levels.

He has made one appearance for Republic of Ireland at the senior level.

Transfer: Cercle Brugge sign Nigerian-born defender from Crystal Palace

Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, is ready to give his green light to a move to Arsenal, if the club changes its stance and agree a fee.

Osimhen has been linked with a move to the Premier League champions, who are keen to add a new striker this summer.

Mikel Arteta is in the market for a striker, following Viktor Gyokeres’ mixed debut campaign and Gabriel Jesus’ imminent departure.

Arsenal expressed interest in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez earlier in the summer, but the LaLiga side has already rebuffed several offers.

The possibility of the Gunners signing Osimhen was raised when Galatasaray approached Arsenal to discuss deals for Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.

But the Turkish champions are unwilling to sanction Osimhen’s exit at the moment.

Transfer: Osimhen ready to join Arsenal if Galatasaray agree deal

Former Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew, has given his verdict on Arsenal’s summer signing, Bruno Guimaraes.

Pardew described the signing of the Brazilian international as outstanding,’ adding that the midfielder knows the Premier League well.

Arsenal recently signed Guimaraes from Newcastle United for £75 million.

“It’s an outstanding signing,” Pardew said of Guimaraes on talkSPORT.

“What you’ve got is a player who knows the Premier League, is top, top end of the Premier League in terms of a creative midfield player, and he can dig in when needed.”

Guimaraes featured for Arsenal as they won the Community Shield on Sunday.

Transfer: ‘Outstanding singing, he knows EPL’ – Alan Pardew on Arsenal’s summer recruit