Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a two-year contract extension to commit himself to Manchester City until 2021. The 19-year-old Nigerian hit 14 goals in his breakthrough campaign at the Etihad Stadium last term, and now looks set for a pivotal role under manager Pep Guardiola. City’s new boss has already made headway on a rapid overhaul of his squad, but fresh terms for Iheanacho suggest the teenager will continue to command regular first-team action.
Guidolin looks to Italy for a defender
Swansea City’s search to replace former captain Ashley Williams has taken them to Serie A. Boss Francesco Guidolin says the club has drawn up a short-list of “five, six, seven players” and that it includes defenders from his native Italy. “We still need another centrehalf,” said Guidolin, who partnered Jordi Amat and Federico Fernandez together in the opening- day 1-0 win at Burnley, but only has former Ajax defender Mike van der Hoorn as central defensive cover. “There are five, six, seven players on the short-list, there are players I know better as they play in Serie A.”
Jol quits Al Ahly
Dutch coach Martin Jol has quit Al Ahly after spending just six months with the Egyptian giants. He decided to leave after Al Ahly failed to get past the group phase of the African Champions League, the club said. The former Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur boss had helped the Egyptian team retain their domestic title in June. The club said Jol, 60, apologised for going out of the Champions League, a competition they have won a record eight times.
Levski Sofia hit with spectator ban
Levski Sofia must play their next European match at home behind closed doors following racist behaviour from their fans during their UEFA Europa League games against Slovenia’s Maribor last month. UEFA’s disciplinary panel also fined Levski €57,000 for displaying illegal banners, the 26-times Bulgarian champions said in a statement. Five weeks ago, Levski have been ordered to partially close a stand at their Georgi Asparuhov stadium for the return leg against Maribor following “racist behaviour” by supporters in the first leg. Levski, one of the Balkan country’s two most popular clubs along with bitter city rivals CSKA, have a history of racism at their matches. In 2012, they were fined €30,000 by UEFA for racist behaviour by fans during a Europa League match against Bosnia’s Sarajevo.
Brown calls time on Scotland career
Celtic and Scotland captain Scott Brown has retired from international football, the Scottish FA announced yesterday. He won his 50th and final cap in March this year. “Scott Brown is one of the most wholehearted players I’ve encountered and somebody who puts the team ahead of himself,” Scotland and former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan told the SFA website. Midfielder Brown, 31, has won six Scottish Premier League titles with the Glasgow club, the last five of them in succession.
Frenchman Kaboul moves to Watford
Sunderland have accepted a bid from Premier League rivals Watford for Younes Kaboul after the French centre-half expressed a wish to leave. “An agreement has been reached between the two clubs and the player has been given permission to talk to Watford regarding personal terms,” a Sunderland statement said. Kaboul joined the north-east team from Tottenham Hotspur a year ago. “This is not an easy situation for me but the club and the manager (David Moyes) have shown an understanding of my personal circumstances and I am grateful for that,” said Kaboul. “The Sunderland fans have supported me fantastically well... they gave me my football passion back and I sincerely thank them for that.”
Sociedad fans to pay tribute to Atkinson
Real Sociedad fans will pay tribute to their former striker Dalian Atkinson during tomorrow’s 0 match against Real Madrid at Anoeta. Atkinson died on Monday aged 48 after he was Tasered by police in Telford. He spent the 1990-91 season with the Spanish club, who confirmed yesterday that supporters will applaud Atkinson in the ninth minute in recognition of the shirt number the Englishman most regularly wore during his time in San Sebastian. Atkinson, who also played for Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa, scored 12 goals for Real Sociedad. Their players will also wear black armbands in the game against Real Madrid as a further tribute to Atkinson.