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Real Madrid have completed the formalities necessary to absorb Deportivo Tacon into the club, meaning that from 2020-21 onwards the Merengue will field their first-ever side in the women's Primera Division.

The likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Valencia have long incorporated the women's game within their supported sporting activities, with the former founding Club Femeni Barcelona as early as 1988, the year that Spain introduced a women's competition. 

The Blancos, however, had failed to keep up with their rivals, although an unaffiliated club named Madrid CFF which plays in white has been in the Primera since 2017. 

In 2019 Madrid moved to change that fact, announcing that newcomers to the top flight Tacon would be integrated inside the club the following year. 

That decision has now been made official, with the club planning to field teams at both youth and senior level in the women's game for the coming season. 

"Real Madrid C. F. wishes to announce that it has sent the corresponding documentation to the Spanish Football Federation in order to make effective the merger by absorption of Club Deportivo Tacon, a women's football club, as approved by the Extraordinary General Assembly of Committed Members held on 15 September 2019," Madrid signalled in a statement released on Wednesday .
 
"The Royal Spanish Football Federation has informed us that said documentation is correct, so the merger will be effective when the current 2019-20 football season is definitively concluded.

"Real Madrid will play the women's football competitions from the 2020-21 season, with Real Madrid City as the venue for the team's matches and training sessions.
 
"Our women's football section will be made up of the senior and Under-16s to Under-19s teams. A youth structure that will allow us to remain faithful to our philosophy of identifying, training and developing young talent. Our teams will also play their respective competitions from the 2020-21 season.

"Real Madrid are looking forward to this new challenge with a commitment to promoting women's football and contributing to its development and growth in our society."

Barcelona are the reigning Primera champions, having been awarded their first title in five years by the RFEF when the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Oumar Niasse has sent a heartfelt message to Everton after ending his four-year stay with the Toffees and donated part of his final week’s wages to a Liverpool charity.

The forward joined the Goodison Park outfit from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow for a fee of £13.5 million in February 2016.

The Senegal international made his debut against Bournemouth on February 20, replacing Belgium international Romelu Lukaku.

The striker made 35 Premier League appearances for the Toffees and scored eight goals before his departure from the side.

The 30-year-old also had short loan stints with Championship sides Hull City and Cardiff City during his time with the Merseyside outfit.

Niasse, who is now a free agent, has appreciated the Toffees and former manager Roberto Martinez for giving a chance to feature in the English top division.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Everton FC for giving me the opportunity to compete in the English Premier League,” Niasse told Echo.

"In particular a special thank you to Mr Roberto Martinez and the Everton Board for making this possible.

“Although my circumstances were public and personally challenging, I leave Everton FC with a record of a goal every three games of playing time for the club.

"And I will always incentivise any young black athlete to come to England and perform at the highest level, no matter the difficulties, no matter the challenges.

"The Everton backroom staff, the fans and the North West of England welcomed me with open arms and I can only say again, thank you.

“Finally, I have decided to donate a percentage of my final week’s salary to the St Andrew’s Community Network who operate the North Liverpool Foodbank.

"They are doing extraordinary work in very challenging circumstances and they are a reminder that together we can all contribute and play an active and positive role in society.

"I now look forward to my next challenge in football.”

Niasse started playing professional football with US Ouakam in his home country club and then joined Turkish Super Lig side Akhisar Belediyespor before signing for Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014.

George Maluleka's agent Sean Roberts has revealed that his client wasn't offered a contract extension to finish the season with Kaizer Chiefs. 

The 31-year-old midfielder was unveiled by Mamelodi Sundowns after signing a three-year deal. 

The announcement came a day after he left Amakhosi, and Roberts said Maluleka is surprised he couldn't remain at Naturena until the end of the current campaign.   

"George is now a Sundowns player. A contract extension was not offered to him by Chiefs to finish the season," said Roberts on SA FM.  

"That came as a surprise to him and a lot of people in the football fraternity."

According to Roberts, the Tembisa-born star would have loved to finish the season with Chiefs after contributing immensely to where they are on the PSL log. 

"George would have loved to have finished the season with Chiefs. I think he added a lot of value to the club. We have seen this season that George has grown tremendously and at 31 he is playing some of the best football of his life," he revealed. 

Nonetheless, Maluleka remains grateful to Chiefs and he is now looking forward to starting a new chapter of his football career with Sundowns.

"George is extremely grateful to the Kaizer Chiefs family for what they offered him and what they've done together. It's a sad day for George and the Chiefs family, but we just want to say thanks to Chiefs for what they have done for him but now we look forward."

While Maluleka is now officially a 'Brazilian', he cannot feature for the club in the remaining matches of the season. 

This is because the transfer window hasn't officially opened, meaning he will have to wait for next season to kick a ball in a competitive match for Sundowns.  

Sundowns have already confirmed that Maluleka will train with the club, and will team up his new colleagues once the clubs are allowed to go back to the training grounds. 

Maluleka spent six-and-a-half years with Chiefs and won one league title with them in 2015.

He featured 168 times for the Glamour Boys, scored 11 goals and registered 24 assists to his time. 

Jose Mourinho is hopeful that Eric Dier will sign a new contract with Tottenham.

The versatile England international's deal expires at the end of next season, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and manager Mourinho want him to stay.

Dier has informed Mourinho of his desire to extend his stay at the Premier League club, which was music to the ears of the Tottenham boss.

Mourinho said: "My boss Mr Levy tells me that he wants Eric to sign a new contract and Eric tells me that he's more than happy here, more than happy with his situation, especially now that he feels we have a certain idea for him and the deal.

"And he tells me also that he wants very much to stay.

"So I hope that we can find an agreement because I'm trying to take the team in a certain direction and when I try to develop a player in the team it's because I'm waiting for a player to stay with us."

The London club travel to Sheffield United on Thursday in the battle for European spots and Mourinho says Europa League rather than Champions League qualification would not be a failure.

"If you tell me I start the season with zero points like everyone else and at the end of the season I am not in a Champions League spot I would say disappointing," the Portuguese said.

"If I put myself in my day one and where the team was and everything that happens I would say I would not be disappointed because the situation was incredible.

"But we are going to fight until we can, until it is mathematically impossible. One objective is points on the table but we cannot forget that one objective is working for the future, working for next season.

"This is not a waste of time for us. It doesn't matter how we end the season, to know the players, to work with the players, to make decisions to improve the team step by step in certain areas I think is also very important for us.

"We just want to play and see where we are at the end of the season. When the season finishes we know a couple of weeks later we are starting pre-season for the next season and then is the moment to say everyone has the same points let's go and fight."

Andreas Christensen has declared his "love" for Chelsea, with the defender keen for a longer stay at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old's future with the Blues looked in doubt after last season when he started just six Premier League games under Maurizio Sarri.

However, Christensen, a favourite of former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, has been handed 17 top-flight starts by Frank Lampard this term and is enjoying life in London again.

Back in January, Lampard said he would not let the Denmark international leave because he believes he can develop into a top centre-back at Chelsea.

"I've never looked anywhere else," Christensen, who has two years left on his contract, told Sky Sports .

"I've never doubted my situation. I've always had my eyes at Chelsea.

"I've had my contract and I've always expected to finish that and I've always dreamed of even more than that. Nothing has changed.

"Obviously it was a different situation last season but I still love being here, that's the short answer."

Lampard has rotated between centre-backs Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori, with each of the quartet having started at least 15 Premier League games in 2019-20.

This season was seen as something of a rebuilding one for the club given Lampard's arrival and the transfer ban imposed on them last year, but they remain in the driving seat for a top-four finish.

And with Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner having already agreed to join for next term, Christensen is excited about the future.

"We are in a process but I think we are way ahead of time," he added.

"We know what we are capable of. We feel very comfortable and confident at the moment. [Winning titles] is where we all want to be, so why not?

"We're all hungry. We have a good balance between experienced people and young, exciting talent. So I think that's the goal for all of us."

Eden Hazard will soon be firing on all cylinders for Real Madrid but Zinedine Zidane has warned he will remain a target for opposing players.

The former Chelsea star has not had the expected impact since arriving in the Spanish capital in June last year.

Having dazzled at Stamford Bridge, the Belgian's maiden campaign in La Liga has been disrupted by injury and he underwent ankle surgery in March.

Since the return from the coronavirus-enforced break, Hazard has been substituted in all four games he has played in, but he has also continued to be met with some rough treatment, drawing regular fouls.

Madrid coach Zidane, who has guided his side to the top of LaLiga ahead of Thursday's visit of Getafe, sees nothing sinister in the way opponents deal with Hazard but says he can expect more of the same as the 29-year-old seeks to rediscover his fitness and best form.

"He's very good and the opponents know it," Zidane said when asked about the number of fouls committed against Hazard. 

"But there's no intention of hurting any player.

"We have to be calm with Eden. He's been off the pitch for a long time and you have to go easy on him.

"He'll be fine in a little while."

Another player in the Madrid ranks not having quite the season he will have hoped for is James Rodriguez.

The Colombia international has spoken freely of his frustration at not getting enough playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Zidane understands how he feels.

"James is telling the truth," said the Frenchman. "He wants to play more and that's normal. I understand that.

"But we're going to go until the end like this."

Madrid's title hopes received a further boost on Tuesday when Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid, with Lionel Messi's 700th goal proving insufficient for the Catalans. 

That result means that the Merengue can go four points clear with just five games left to play at the top of La Liga should they take down Getafe, while Zidane's charges also hold the edge over Barca in the event of a tie on points at the end of the season due to their superior head-to-head record. 

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho feels the expectation for Harry Kane to score more goals than he is currently managing is his own fault, having set his own lofty standards since establishing himself as one of the most feared strikers in football.

Kane was back in action for Spurs after the Premier League returned following the coronavirus-enforced break and has scored one goal in two games since the restart.

But Kane has been singled out for some criticism regardless, with fans expecting more from a proven finisher.

Mourinho, however, was quick to point out that his star man has only recently returned to the pitch following a bad hamstring tear, having picked up that injury on New Year's Day.

“In the game before the goal [against West Ham], I think it was minute 60, we had a defensive corner that Dele Alli cleared with a header and Harry Kane was in the box on a defensive corner,” the Portuguese boss started.

“I think 10 or 11 seconds later, he was in front of [West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz] Fabianski with a left-footed shot that was almost a goal at the far post.

“You expect Harry to score more than one goal in two matches – that's his fault. He created this expectation for you. So when the guy doesn't score many goals you think there's a crisis, but there is no crisis, there's an improvement.”

Another area of his squad that has been pleasing Mourinho is his defence, who recorded their first clean sheet in 10 games across all competitions when they beat the Hammers 2-0 in their previous encounter.

“The defensive organisation is not just about the keeper and the back three or back four,” he said. “It's about the team.

“Speaking about the defensive organisation of my team, I want to speak about my attacking players - the way they close spaces and respect organisation, the way they are learning to defend zonally.

“We are improving. I hope we are not saying this and then in the next two or three matches we concede a lot of goals. Hopefully the stats and the numbers are helping us, but our feeling is that we are improving, we are more stable and the team is getting better. 

“That's why I'm saying, independent of results and the table, I think when we start next pre-season we will be a better team than we are today.”

Manchester United have provided an update on the futures of on-loan duo Chris Smalling and Alexis Sanchez, stating that the pair will remain with Roma and Inter respectively until the conclusion of the Serie A season.

Both players had been scheduled to return to Old Trafford at the end of June, but with the coronavirus pandemic having caused chaos to the football calendar, the Italian top flight was forced to reschedule its fixtures and will now run until the beginning of August.

As such, United have permitted both players to remain in Italy to see out their domestic campaigns before returning to the Theatre of Dreams ahead of the 2020-21 season.

The Serie A sides will, however, be without the pair for upcoming Europa League matches.

It is likely that the Red Devils have not allowed the players to finish up European campaigns due to injury concerns, with the Premier League outfit reportedly keen to move on both players to ease their wage budget.

Indeed, Smalling had looked nailed on for a permanent move to Stadio Olimpico pre-coronavirus pandemic, but the Italian capital side are no longer in a position financially to cope with what would be a sizeable outlay.

For Alexis' part, United will almost certainly look to sell on the Chilean, who failed miserably to recreate his Arsenal form after swapping the Emirates for Old Trafford.

The issue, however, is Alexis' huge wage packet, with the majority of clubs now in a period of financial instability.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has in the past said that Sanchez would return to the club and “prove everyone wrong”, while more recently he admitted that he would like to sign a new striker in the summer to provide competition for Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Should United struggle to find a buyer, Sanchez could well end up being that man to keep the striking pair on their toes.

Another player who could be sold is Marcos Rojo, who has entered the final year of his contract following a loan move to Estudiantes. Odion Ighalo, meanwhile, is staying at United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until January 2021.

Nzoia Sugar have officially been handed their new team bus ahead of the new Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season slated to kick-off in August.

Goal exclusively reported ten days ago the Sugar Millers were due to unveil their new team bus after receiving it from the source.

The Bungoma-based club benefitted from a promise made by CS for Devolution Eugene Wamalwa when he visited the team’s Nzoia Sugar firm early this year.

Nzoia chairman Evan Kadenge has told Goal they have officially been handed over the 52-seater bus by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who went ahead to pledge Sh2million to boost the team during the difficult times being occasioned by the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have finally received our new bus and are currently heading home with it, the event took place at Harambee House in Nairobi,” Kadenge told Goal on Wednesday.

“I also want to take this chance to thank President Kenyatta for personally coming out to hand over the bus to us and also for the Sh2million pledge which will go a long way to support the players.”

The occasion was also attended by the senator and governor from Bungoma County, Wamalwa, Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli, while Nzoia were represented by Ian Simiyu (player), Florence Mutinda (Public Relations Officer), Benson Mangala (Goalkeeper), Peter Gin (team captain) and club Managing Director Wanjala Makokha.

In an earlier interview with Goal, Kadenge revealed the bus had been promised by Wamalwa.

“Wamalwa promised us the team bus earlier this year when he toured our sugar factory and I can confirm the bus is now ready and he has spent at least 90 percent to have it ready while Nzoia only gave the rest of the percentage.

“It is a 52-seater bus and we will use it specifically for the team when the league starts but I will be able to have the other details on the bus when we arrive in Nairobi for the handing over ceremony.”

Most of the clubs in the top-flight are used to hiring buses when travelling to honour matches and only Wazito FC, AFC Leopards, Homeboyz, Sofapaka, Bandari and Tusker have branded team buses.

Homeboyz’ team bus was unveiled earlier last month with club chairman Cleophas Shimanyula bragging they had purchased "a huge machine" that cannot be compared to what other teams have in the KPL.

“We bought a very serious machine, even Wazito, who used to brag they have the best bus in the league, cannot match our bus,” Shimanyula told Goal.

“It is a state-of-the-art machine and will accommodate 42 people, I used over Sh18million to get the bus, and remember that amount is more than four times more than what a winner in KPL league gets as prize money.

“KPL gives league winners Sh4million, which sometimes they don’t even give out but we managed to purchase a bus at Sh18million.

"It means the club is now becoming a force to reckon with in KPL, we are coming up slowly and soon things will be very different in the league.”

By the time the top-flight was ended, Nzoia Sugar were lying in 15th position with 13 points and were fighting for relegation.

Zinedine Zidane is adamant the title race is far from over in La Liga, insisting Real Madrid "have won absolutely nothing" yet despite Barcelona's recent wobble.

Leaders Madrid hold a one-point lead over their arch-rivals and also have a game in hand against Getafe to take in on Thursday, where they will be aiming to make it six successive wins since the 2019-20 season resumed in Spain.

In contrast, Barca have struggled for consistency in recent weeks. The reigning champions drew for a third time in four outings on Tuesday, twice pegged back by Atletico Madrid in a frustrating 2-2 stalemate at Camp Nou.

Having picked up four points in the two Clasico contests during the campaign, giving them the added buffer of the head-to-head advantage, the Blancos are now firm favourites to finish on top.

Zidane, however, is refusing to take anything for granted.

"We haven't won anything [yet]," the Madrid boss told a press conference on Wednesday. "We have six games. Eighteen points.

"Until we are mathematically champions, we have to keep going, our rivals are going to do everything they can to win their games.

"No confidence and no saying, 'this is over'.

"I've experienced this situation as a player. We have won absolutely nothing."

A goal from Casemiro was enough for Zidane's side to overcome struggling Espanyol 1-0 at the weekend, boosting their bid to win the league for the first time since 2017.

With neighbours Atletico helping them out by holding Barca, Madrid have the opportunity to move four points clear at the summit when they face fifth-placed Getafe.

"I'm very happy and proud of the players," Zidane added. "But we have six 'finals' left and one is tomorrow.

"We have to think about trying our best to win. We're good, but this doesn't mean anything."

After their latest outing, Madrid will start preparing for a trip to Athletic Club on Sunday, after which they will benefit from five days rest before playing host to Deportivo Alaves.

Zidane's men could end up winning a domestic and European double come August, but they must first overcome a 2-1 last 16 first-leg deficit against Manchester City when the Champions League resumes.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admires the way Jurgen Klopp's clubs play football, stating that Liverpool's high-pressing, all-action approach to games is “a benefit for the world”.

Guardiola's City beat the Reds to the Premier League title last season by a solitary point, but were ultimately blown away in the 2019-20 campaign as Klopp's well-oiled machine rolled their way to glory for the first time since 1990.

Both teams are widely regarded to be the best the English top tier has to offer ahead of the clubs going head to head on Thursday, with many more hotly-contested clashes between the sides bound to go ahead in the future.

Guardiola, however, insists that he continues to have a positive relationship with the man who is considered to be his closest rival in terms of managerial prowess.

“As a human being first, I don’t know him that well,” the Catalan coach told a press conference. “We had dinner together once. I admire him, the way his teams in Liverpool and Dortmund, this type of football that his teams produce always is a benefit for world football.

“It is a massive, positive thing to try and always score goals. Jurgen is a big, big example for this. He wants to win and I want to win but when it is finished the game is over, it is done. He is my colleague and after my career I want to have a good relationship with all the managers.”

Asked if City have a point to prove against Liverpool, Guardiola added: “In sport, you have to prove [a point] every time. We are incredibly satisfied with what we have done and what we are doing but for athletes it is never enough.

“The past is the past, memories, but the show must go on. It's a new chapter in our lives and we have to live it.”

While the Premier League title has been wrapped up, City are still in the hunt for Champions League and FA Cup glory, with ties against Real Madrid and Arsenal to come in those competitions.

And Guardiola feels that the best way to ensure progression on both fronts is to gain momentum in the league.

“We have a lot of time to think about the Premier League,” he said. “Tomorrow is an important game and we want a good performance. We want to take a result [against Liverpool] and against Southampton to arrive at the best condition for Arsenal [in the FA Cup].

“The best way to do this is to play well in the Premier League.”

Timo Werner's "obsessive quest for goals will help him settle" at Chelsea, according to Oliver Bierhoff, who has backed the £47.5 million ($59m) striker to continue scoring at a prolific rate in England.

Chelsea reached an agreement to sign Werner from RB Leipzig on June 18, bringing months of speculation over his future to a close.

The 24-year-old was linked with a whole host of top clubs across Europe before the Blues secured his signature, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool.

He has been a standout player for Leipzig throughout his time at Red Bull Arena, with the 2019-20 campaign marking his best season yet in the Bundesliga.

Werner hit 28 goals in 34 appearances to help Julian Nagelsmann's side finish third in the final standings, and Chelsea supporters will hope he can replicate that kind of form at Stamford Bridge.

Former Germany international Bierhoff - who enjoyed spells at Udinese, Milan and Monaco at club level - thinks a fellow countryman will need time to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, but doesn't expect his output in the final third to drop in the Premier League.

"In a foreign country, you are left to your own devices,"  Bierhoff told The Athletic. "There’s a risk factor involved, but I would always do it again because you mature so much. Italy was a shock to me at first.

"You believe football is the same everywhere, but it’s totally different everywhere. The people are different, the dressing room humour is different, communication is different, the game is different.

"You need a bit of time to get used to it. There is an expectation on you that you should not take too long, of course, but I believe that Timo’s obsessive quest for goals and his ambitiousness will help him settle quickly.

"He doesn’t look left or right too much, he’s focused on scoring and performing well. And with his pace, he will score goals in England, I’m sure."

Werner's contract with Chelsea will officially begin on July 1, which means he will not be eligible to turn out for Leipzig in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The German frontman admitted that it "hurts" to be unable to help his former club continue progressing in the competition. He told Sportbuzzer: "It was clear that all parties - Chelsea, RB and my side - should and must settle this.

"Of course, I tried to keep out of the Champions League issue as much as I could because it was clear that I would have to hurt one side. That's why my agent finally agreed it with the clubs."

Aduana Stars talisman Yahaya Mohammed is unhappy by the Ghana Football Association's decision to hand the nation's tickets for the 2020-21 Caf inter-club competitions to Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold.

On Tuesday, the GFA announced the complete cancellation of the 2019-20 domestic season after three months in standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic and went ahead to name the two clubs, who represented Ghana in Africa this season, for next year's championships.

Ordinarily, the winners of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) are awarded the slot for the Caf Champions League while victors of the FA Cup earn the Confederation Cup spot. Aduana led the GPL table before the season cancellation.

“I don’t have a problem with the two clubs that have been selected to represent Ghana in the Champions League and Confederation Cup," Ghana international Yahaya told Angel FM.

"However, are these two clubs ready to go and lift the flag of Ghana high? In fact, at the moment, no GPL club is ready for Africa.

"The FA would have to select the top 18 players in the GPL to represent Ghana in those competitions.

“Based on the preparation of clubs, Aduana and Medeama should have the nod to represent Ghana. Those teams are very well prepared."

While Aduana led the Premier League table as at Tuesday, Medeama occupied top spot at the time of the halt in March but a late GFA Disciplinary Committee ruling moved the Yellow and Mauves from first to sixth, handing over the kingship to then second-placed Aduana. 

Kotoko and AshGold held the third and fifth positions respectively on the standings.

In 2017-18, Ghana was similarly unable to complete its football season, then due to a corruption scandal, consequently decided against presenting any representatives for Caf competitions.

There were no Premier League or FA Cup competitions in 2018-19 as the nation was still picking itself up from the turbulent scandal. However, following a decision to make a return to continental inter-club football after a one-year absence, Ghana organised novelty competitions to determine representatives for the 2019-20 African campaign.

Kotoko won the Ghana Tier One Special Competition, which replaced the Premier League, and participated in the Champions League where their adventure ended early as they were knocked out by Etoile Sahel of Tunisia in the first round.

Ashanti Gold, who won the Ghana Tier Two Special Competition - which replaced the FA Cup - played in the Confederation Cup. Like Kotoko, the Miners journey ended in the first round following defeat to Moroccan fold RS Berkane.

Express FC have vowed to use all legal means available to reverse the move by Vipers SC to sign their defender Disan Galiwango.

The newly crowned Uganda Premier League (UPL) champions officially announced the arrival of the left-back beating rivals Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC) to his services after he penned a four-year contract to sign for the St Marys Kitende-based giants.

KCCA were also among the teams which were fighting to sign the player, who was very impressive for the Red Eagles in the last campaign.

However, Express chairman Kiryowa Kiwanuka has openly claimed they have not released the player to sign for Vipers because he still has a running contract with them.

“Express FC with a valid contract has not released or transferred Disan,” Kiwanuka wrote on his Twitter handle. “This has not come as a surprise to us. While we respect his wish to leave, the club has rights that Vipers are aware of.

“We intend to enforce them using all the legal avenues available to us.”

On signing the player, Vipers stated on their official club website: “Vipers have completed the signing of left-back Galiwango from Express.

“Galiwango, previously a flying Red Eagle, will now spit ‘Venom’ from the St Mary’s Kitende-based after putting pen to paper on a four-year contract.”

Galiwango became the first signing for coach Fred Kajoba, who is looking to beef up the squad as they will take part in the Caf Champions League next season.

“The talented defender signs for an undisclosed fee and becomes the Venoms first signing as coach Kajoba looks to add steel to an already multi-faceted squad,” the statement continued.

“His arrival brings an end to transfer speculation which have been linking him to various clubs within and outside the country before finally agreeing to terms with Vipers.”

Galiwango was also delighted to sign for Vipers, who were declared champions for the 2019-20 season after the league ended prematurely owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus, by saying he was ready to help the club win major trophies starting next season.

“In my view, Vipers is a big football brand in this country hence I’m honoured to be joining this great club. I promise to add value as expected and help them win as many trophies as possible,” Galiwango told the club’s official website.

Galiwango started his football career in Richo Soccer Academy based in Kampala before he was signed by Simba SC at the start of the 2015/16 season, who after their relegation bought The Saints FC.

The attacking player stayed with the army side in the entire 2016-17 season before he signed for Water FC and later in August 2019, he moved to Express where he distinctively plied his trade until the end of the just-concluded season before Vipers moved for his services.

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has ended his stint with Olimpia after both clubs reached an agreement to terminate his contract amid health concerns emanating from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The 36-year-old joined the Paraguayan capital outfit in February after leaving Turkish club Kayserispor in December 2019.

Adebayor’s arrival in Asuncion was met with a lot of fanfare owing to his profile and the influence of Roque Santa Cruz, who were teammates at Manchester City in the past.

The Lome-born man played four games in the Paraguayan Primera Division and Copa Libertadores until football was suspended in March once Covid-19 became a severe global health risk.

South America is one of the hotspots of the virus with more than two million confirmed cases, more than half of that coming in Paraguay’s neighbouring country and the continent’s largest nation, Brazil.

Paraguay has more than 2,000 cases with 17 deaths and more than 1,000 recoveries.

“The Board of Directors of Club Olimpia informs its members, fans and the general public that a decision has been made by mutual agreement to terminate the contractual relationship with the player Emmanuel Adebayor,” read a club statement released on its Twitter account.

“The pandemic situation due to the Covid-19 virus puts the player at health risk to start his return to our country, with multiple flights, scales and quarantine measures, in addition to the high logistics cost and the economic situation the country is going through, which Olimpia does not escape, that forces us to make the best decision to protect the heritage of our institution and to guarantee relative economic stability to face the rest of the year and thus continue our victorious path.

“We thank Mr Emmanuel for trusting us, we are very proud that with his enviable sports career he has gone through the history of the club. We wish him success in his future.

“To Olimpia's fans we say that we are convinced that this is the correct way, a solid club Olimpia in its Training Younger Divisions, with the best first team in Paraguayan soccer, and capable of hiring the most renowned players all over the world. Thanks to the reliable and robust image that as an institution we project to the world, we are the most successful club in national sport today after much effort, we are back and back to stay.”

Adebayor has been residing in his home country Togo since football activities in Paraguay were suspended.

He is a well-travelled man in his football career, playing for Metz, Monaco, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Istanbul Basaksehir and Kayserispor.

He has also been capped by Togo 66 times, scoring 29 goals and playing at his country’s maiden World Cup in 2006, as well as four Africa Cup of Nations (2002, 2006, 2013, 2017).

Umar Kyebatala has revealed life at Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC has been easy.

Kyebatala joined Vipers straight from St Mary’s Kitende School in the 2019/20 mid-season transfer window and the 18-year old has enjoyed life.

"Coming from the school side straight to the senior team was exciting and challenging at the same time due to a different environment from the one at school but I took little time to adapt and settle because of the old friends I found at Vipers," Kyebatala told the club's website.

"Life has been easy. And in regard to football, my first half of the season has been a huge lesson. My mentality, goals, and expectations have been shaped and I look forward to next season with optimism."

Vipers have been getting most of their players from the St Mary’s Kitende School and the youngster says his direct transfer from the school team to the senior team is all about the blessing from God.

"I must confess it was Allah’s blessings as even the rest of fellow school teammates are really good," Kyetabala said.

"Further to that, the discipline, hard work, determination, and self-belief were also key factors for my consideration."

As he aims to play like his teammate Fahad Bayo, Kyetabala hopes to grab his opportunity while still serving the Venoms.

"I always thrive to be better than how I was yesterday and that attribute pushes me each time I step on the pitch," he added.

"Opportunities come once, therefore when given, one always strives to impress the coach as under performances and excuses don’t augur well with tacticians.

"I hope to open my goals account as a Venom and also win silverware. Those are my major priorities for the coming campaign. My dream is to play professional football somewhere in Europe with the guidance of Allah, the Most Merciful."

On how he will deal with stiff competition from Dan Sserunkuma, Bayo, Tito Okello, and Shaban Muhammed, Kyetabala has an answer.

"There is only one opportunity to prove your worth and it can only work in your favour when you are prepared. I will not give up my fight until I get a starting berth in the side," the forward concluded.

Kyetabala, wearing jersey number 11, has been nicknamed Champion Boy.

Arsenal have announced that Bukayo Saka has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the club, ending any speculation that he might leave the Emirates upon the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.

The teenager, who has been with the Gunners since he was seven years old, had been turning heads since making his first-team debut in 2018, impressing with his dribbling skills, trickery and an eye for a killer pass.

Teams monitoring his situation will have to shelve their plans for now, however, with the 18-year-old pledging himself to Arsenal for the foreseeable future.

“London is my home. Arsenal is my team,” Saka posted on twitter after the deal was made official. 

“I'm so happy to finally announce my contract extension. I love playing for this club and I'm looking forward to what the future holds. The hard work continues so I can continue living my dream.”

Head coach Mikel Arteta, faced with a summer rebuild at Arsenal, was understandably delighted that the academy graduate will remain with the club as they look to re-establish themselves as a side that regularly competes at the highest level. 

“Bukayo is a talented and intelligent young player. He has impressed me with his work ethic and attitude to learn and adapt, and it has paid off in his performances,” Arteta said. 

“I am excited to continue working with him to develop him further, and for him to help us achieve our goals.”

Technical director Edu Gaspar added: “This is something everyone involved wanted to happen and we are delighted that Bukayo has signed a new long-term contract. He’s making great progress and is one of a number of young players who have developed through our academy. 

“This is so important for us as we move forward as a club.”

Saka is likely to have another chance to impress his boss and the fans when Arsenal take on Norwich on Wednesday evening, with the Gunners currently sat in 10th place in the Premier League, nine points shy of the last European qualification spot with seven games left to play.

Chippa United have confirmed the departure of former Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Rakhale. 

Rakhale's future has been the subject of speculation over the past few months after it emerged Kaizer Chiefs were looking to sign him.

That was before Amakhosi were hit with a two-window transfer ban but even after that, the skilful player still continued to be linked with a move to the Soweto giants. 

Chiefs have already written to Fifa's Appeal Committee to at least allow them to sign new players before their hearing with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in September. 

Chippa United released the following statement on their social media platforms on Wednesday: 

"Thabo Rakhale's contract has expired. We can confirm the club and Thabo have amicably decided to part ways," reads the statement. 

"The club would like to thank Thabo “Jomo” Rakhale for his service at the club for the past 3 years. He will surely be remembered. We wish him well in his future endeavours."

The 30-year-old had been an integral member of the Chilli Boys since his arrival from the Buccaneers in January 2018. 

He featured 68 times for the Port Elizabeth-based side while scoring five goals and providing 10 assists. 

This season only, Rakhale registered three assists and scored twice in 23 matches for Chippa. 

His departure comes a week after his assistant coach at Pirates, Rhulani Mokwena, exited the club in what came as a shock to football fans in the country. 

Mokwena had been in charge of Chippa for four months but only got to manage a single match as their head coach due to the coronavirus outbreak which forced the suspension of the current season. 

It's unclear at this stage if Rakhale already has offers elsewhere now that he's decided to leave Chippa.

However, what's clear at this stage is that whoever he will sign for, he cannot play until next season simply because the transfer window hasn't officially opened. 

With the PSL looking to conclude the season by August 31, Rakhale will be forced to watch football from a distance while waiting for his potential new employers to register him with the PSL.   

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has opened up on his failed move to Real Madrid in 2018, insisting he is "happy" at Allianz Arena.

Lewandowski has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation since moving to Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2014.

The 31-year-old has hit 240 goals in 289 appearances for the Bundesliga giants in total, with 49 of those efforts coming during the 2019-20 campaign .

The Poland international is showing no signs of slowing down despite approaching the latter stages of his career, with a potential treble now on the cards for Bayern if they can finish the season strongly.

Lewandowski might, however, have been playing in Spain rather than Germany had Madrid succeeded in persuading him to move to Santiago Bernabeu in 2018.

The Blancos had reportedly identified the Bayern frontman as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, but were ultimately unable to negotiate a final deal.

Although Lewandowski admits that his head was turned by Madrid's interest, he is certain that he took the right decision by choosing to remain at Allianz Arena.

"There was a lot of speculation at the time. Real is a great club, of course, I was thinking about it. I stayed and I do not regret it," the Polish frontman told Sport Bild .

"We are a family and this should dispel any doubts. I'm happy in Munich.

"I am 100 per cent a Bayern player and I fully identify with it. I know how much the club stands behind me."

Lewandowski went on to claim that he has yet to reach his "full potential" at Bayern, and that despite his prolific exploits in the final third this term, he hasn't always been firing on all cylinders.

He said: "In August I will turn 32, but I feel 27, 28, maybe even less. I want to play at the highest level for many years, I will do my best to achieve it. 

"I don't see limits for myself, I can be even better. I don't feel I've reached my full potential, I played 90 per cent this season."

Lewandowski added on Bayern's chances of winning the Champions League for the first time since 2013: "To be honest, I see a great chance that we will be able to win the Champions League this season. 

"The team has a good atmosphere, we feel the chemistry between us."