Football News: Review Of The Day 21st May 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Toni Kroos has signed a new 4 year deal with Real Madrid.

Another man with a new 4 year contract is Hertha Berlin's Maximilian Mittelstadt. Hertha have also handed Bosnian centre-back Vedad Ibisevic a one year extension.

Norwich City defender Timm Klose has signed a new 3 year contract with the Canaries.

Transfers

Spanish forward Brandon has joined Osasuna from Stade Rennais for £1.8m.

Former Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes has left Lokomotiv Moscow.

Pedro Bigas has joined Eibar for £2.7m from Las Palmas.

Italian full-back Giulio Donati has been released by 1.FSV Mainz 05.

Ipswich Town have released 10 players. Half of them had contract extension options which the club has neglected to take up, in the shape of Dean Gerken, Jordan Spence, Grant Ward, Tom Adeyemi and Simon Dawkins. The other 5, Jonas Knudsen, James Collins, Conor McKendry, Chris Smith and Ryley Scott had come to the end of their deals.

Dundee release 5 players following relegation. Martin Woods, Genseric Kusunga, Elliot Parish, Faissal El Bakhtaoui and James Vincent have all been released.

Nigel Atangana is joining Exeter City on a free transfer from Cheltenham Town.

Teenage defender Kevin Berkoe has joined Oxford United after being released by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ireland Name Squad

Teenage midfielder Luca Connell has been given his first Republic of Ireland call-up. The Bolton Wanderers player is out of contract in the summer and Ireland manager Mick McCarthy said: "Luca deserves this opportunity. With midfielders Hourihane, Whelan and Cullen all on play-off duty with their clubs in the coming weeks, this is the perfect chance to get Luca into the squad. He has had a fine season with Bolton playing 15 times in total and even with their relegation troubles, he has impressed so many people."
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Randolph (Middlesbrough), Travers (Bournemouth), McDermott (Kristiansund BK)
Defenders: Coleman (Everton), Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Egan (Sheffield United), Long (Burnley), Keogh (Derby County), Duffy (Brighton), Stevens (Sheffield United), Cunningham (Cardiff City)
Midfielders: Judge (Ipswich Town), Browne (Preston), Whelan (Aston Villa), Hendrick (Burnley), Hourihane (Aston Villa), Connell (Bolton Wanderers), Cullen (Charlton Athletic - on loan for West Ham), Brady (Burnley), O'Dowda (Bristol City), McClean (Stoke City), Curtis (Portsmouth)
Forwards: McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Long (Southampton), Maguire (Preston), Hogan (Aston Villa), Robinson (Preston)

Bolivian Ref Dies After Collapsing During Match

Victor Hugo Hurtado, just 31 years old, had one heart attack and collapsed on the pitch before a second, fatal, attack as he arrived at hospital. Hurtado was officiating at a Bolivian league match between Always Ready and Oriente Petrolero played at high altitude.

Cooper Admits Smalling Attack

The idiot who ran onto the pitch and shoved Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, during Arsenal's 2-0 win over the Red Devils, Gary Cooper has admitted assault. The 30 year old muppet was fined £235, ordered to pay £100 compensation and given 120 hours community service.

Potter Takes Brighton Job

Graham Potter has left Swansea City to take up the job of Brighton & Hove Albion manager, as expected. The 44 year old had guided the Swans to 10th in the table despite the firesale of players at the South Wales club following relegation. With Swansea set for more cutbacks, due to the financial mismanagement of Huw Jenkins, Potter understandably decided that a move to Brighton was appealing. The Seagulls have paid the Swans around £3m in compensation.

Scotland Turn To Clarke

In the only sensible move open to Scotland, they have appointed Steve Clarke as new head coach of the national team. Clarke had led perennial strugglers Kilmarnock to 5th and then 3rd in the SPFL table in the last two seasons and was named PFA Scotland and Scottish Football Writers' Association manager of the year this year. Clarke said: "It is an honour. I firmly believe we have a talented group of players who can achieve success on the international stage. I look forward to working with them and helping them to fulfil those ambitions. I appreciate the Scotland supporters have waited a long time for the national team to qualify for a major tournament. Now we have a Women's World Cup to look forward to in France this summer and it's my motivation to emulate the success of Shelley Kerr and her squad by leading us to Euro 2020. I believe we can qualify and look forward to that journey with the players and the fans, starting against Cyprus and Belgium next month."

PSG Rule Out Letting Mbappe Leave

French champions Paris Saint-Germain have dismissed talk of Ligue 1 Player of the Year Kylian Mbappe leaving the club, despite his hints about possibly leaving during his acceptance speech for the award. PSG have stated that their "shared history will continue next season" and that "very strong links unite the club and Mbappe". Not sure what those links are, other than lots of money though.

Stuttgart Go For Walter

Holstein Kiel manager Tim Walter is to take charge at VfB Stuttgart next season. Stuttgart head of sport Thomas Hitzlsperger said: "It became pretty apparent in our talks that Tim Walter's approach and idea of attacking football fit really well with VfB. Together we want the focus to be on bringing through our own talent, and Tim has a wealth of experience and, above all, conviction, in that regard. We've acquired a very good coach and are looking forward to working together with him."

Osasuna Make La Liga Return

Osasuna have clinched promotion to the Spanish top flight after Granada beat Albacete 1-0 to leave Albacete 10 points behind Osasuna with 3 games to play in the Spanish second tier. Osasuna are now guaranteed to finish in the top 2 with only Granada capable of stopping them from winning the division, sitting 4 points behind the leaders. Osasuna were relegated in 2017.

Written by Tris Burke May 21 2019 05:58:31