Football News: Review Of The Day 26th June 2018

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Review of the Day

Transfers

English League Two side Grimsby Town have added two midfielders to their squad. Former Liverpool youngster John Welsh had been released by Preston North End after 6 years at the club and Jake Hessenthaler, the son of Andy, had been released by Gillingham after 5 years with the Gills.

Ross County have lost club captain Andrew Davies after he terminated his contract due to "personal and family reasons". The 33 year old is looking to return to England. Free agent defender Stelios Demetriou has joined County after being released by St Mirren this summer.

Sunderland have picked up free agent goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin. Mclaughlin had been offered a new deal by Hearts but rejected it. Bury midfielder Chris Maguire has also signed a 2 year deal with Sunderland.

Birmingham City midfielder Robert Tesche has moved to Vfl Bochum on a free transfer. The 31 year old spent last season on loan with the Bundesliga 2 side.

Another on-loan player has completed a permanent deal as Max Gradel joins Toulouse for an undisclosed fee from Bournemouth.

Hamilton Academical have announced a quintuple signing. They have signed Mason Bloomfield from Norwich City on loan. Tom Taiwo arrives from Falkirk and Aaron Smith from Nottingham Forest. Sam Kelly was signed from Grimsby Town and Aaron McGowan from Morecambe.

Senegalese striker Jean Alassane Mendy has signed for Dundee. The 28 year old striker had only joined Belgian side Lokeren in the January transfer window but had struggled to break into the team there.

38 year old forward Aaron Wilbraham has joined League One's Rochdale after his release from Bolton Wanderers.

Lincoln City have picked up goalkeeper Grant Smith from Boreham Wood. The 24 year old was England non-league goalkeeper.

Garry Monk has made his first signing as Birmingham City manager with the arrival of Danish left-back Kristian Pedersen from Union Berlin for an undisclosed fee.

Tranmere Rovers have paid an undisclosed fee to sign forward Paul Mullins from fellow League Two side Swindon Town.

Chelsea's young midfielder Trevor Chalobah has joined Ipswich Town on a season-long loan. The 18 year old has yet to make his first team debut for the London club. Ipswich have also let Republic of Ireland striker David McGoldrick after over 5 years with the Tractor Boys.

Northampton Town left-back Joe Bunney has joined Blackpool for a season-long loan. The 24 year old joined the Cobblers for an undisclosed fee in January.

Brazilian forward Vinicius has joined Napoli on a free transfer from Real SC in Portugal.

Veteran Portugese midfielder Miguel Veloso has been released by Genoa.

Cardiff Close In On Smithies

Cardiff City are set to discuss terms with goalkeeper Alex Smithies after QPR accepted a bid for the 28 year old. The former Huddersfield Town man will have to beat out Philippines international goalkeeper Neil Etheridge for the number one jersey if he joins. The Bluebirds have already signed Josh Murphy and Greg Cunningham ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Bielsa Holds First Leeds Press Conference

Leeds United's new head coach, the legendary former Chile boss Marcelo Bielsa, has finally spoken to the media after agreeing to take charge of the English Championship club. Bielsa said: "I know everything a foreigner could have possibly absorbed about Leeds and what it means to the fans. I have seen all 51 games that Leeds played last season and the two friendlies [in Myanmar in May]. The players I want to keep are the players I can guarantee playing time to. I like to have a lean squad so everyone is getting regular minutes. So there might be some departures." All 51 games? That is what you call dedication to his craft. How long till we get that option in Football Manager when you take a new job in the game?

Nainggolan Set For Inter

Radja Nainggolan, who surprisingly missed out on a place in Belgium's World Cup squad due to Roberto Martinez being unwilling to try and cope with his huge personality, is on the verge of a move to Inter Milan. The 30 year old is in Milan for a medical after Inter agreed a fee with AS Roma. Nainggolan only signed a new 4 year deal with the Roman club last summer, after rejecting the chance to move to English football.

Ajax Admit Culpability Over Nouri Treatment

Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri collapsed during a friendly in July 2017 and was left with serious brain damage. The club said at the time that they believed he had received the best possible care on the field but now, after the family sued the club, they have held an investigation which has led to their admittance that more could have been done. Ajax general manager Edwin van der Sar said: "The mandate of the arbitration was to determine whether or not we had provided adequate treatment on the field. We did not, and we therefore assume responsibility for this. We now need to do what's necessary in order to fulfil the responsibility we have as a club, but also as human beings."

Swiss Trio Escape Bans

Switzerland trio Granit Xhaka, Stephan Lichsteiner and Xherdan Shaqiri have escaped the threatened 2 match ban they could have received for their 'double-headed eagle' celebration during their nation's win over Serbia. With a number of Serbian fans wearing t-shirts bearing the faces of convicted war criminals whose actions drove the families of Shaqiri and Xhaka to flee for safety to Switzerland, emotions were high and the players claim they were just carried away on a wave of emotion, understandably considering the circumstances. Shaqiri saying: "It's just emotion. I'm very happy to score this goal. It's not more. I think we don't have to speak about this now." Shaqiri and Xhaka received 10,000 Swiss franc fines, while Lichtsteiner was fined 5,000 Swiss francs. Serbian FA president Slavisa Kokeza was also fined 5,000 Swiss francs for giving a post-match interview to the BBC where he accused FIFA of bias against his country. Serbia's head coach Mladen Krstajic was fined 5,000 Swiss francs for his post-match comments and the Serbian FA were fined a further 54,000 Swiss francs for the behaviour of the fans during the game.

Written by Tris Burke June 26 2018 06:25:12