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Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Diogo Jota's hometown club pays stunning tribute with new kit
The football world is still recovering from the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva after a car crash just over a month ago in Northern Spain. The former Liverpool forward was just weeks removed from winning the UEFA Nations League with Portugal and only days after marrying his long-term partner, with whom he shared three children. Countless tributes have poured in for the forward, including from Liverpool FC themselves. Just over a month on, his hometown club back in Portugal have announced how they're remembering Jota and his brother. TOPSHOT – A fan stands in front of a mural by artist Paul Curtis of Liverpool's late Portuguese striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Pic: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images Gondomar SC, a club just outside of Porto in Northern Portugal, announced on their Instagram that both Jota and his brother Andre Silva will have their silhouettes on this season's home, away and third kit. The pair started off their footballing journeys at Gondomar before heading off to academy sides Pacos de Ferreira for Diogo and Porto for Andre Silva. Silva actually returned to play for the first team at Gondomar from 2021 until 2023 when he moved to Penafiel. Pic As well as featuring silhouettes of the brothers, their names as well as the infinity symbol will feature on the back of the collar of the kit. In a translated statement from the club's Instagram, Gondomar said; 'More than a jersey, a tribute eternal. Pic 'This season, Gondomar Sport Club enters the field with a heart full of memories and feelings. Our new jersey brings in great the image of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, two sons of Gondomar who left us too soon, but who will live forever in the history of our club and our football. 'Every time our athletes put on this jersey, it's like stepping on the field with them. Because football is more than victories and goals, it's legacy, it's family, it's love for our land.'
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Rio Ngumoha ready to shine for Liverpool after pre-season wondergoal but which other English teens will light up Prem?
'Next Rice and Lampard' plus Prem star's cousin among list of wonderkids TEENAGE KICKS Rio Ngumoha ready to shine for Liverpool after pre-season wondergoal but which other English teens will light up Prem? RIO NGUMOHA will be hoping to light up Liverpool's season - after shining in pre-season. The Reds youngster is only 16 but has played a key role in Arne Slot's preparations for the new campaign, including a stunning solo goal on Monday. 20 Rio Ngumoha announced himself at Anfield with a stunning goal in pre-season Credit: Alamy 20 He was just 16 when he played for the Reds in the FA Cup Credit: Reuters Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! The 'second XI' Liverpool team beat their Athletic Bilbao counterparts 4-1 as Ngumoha ran from his own half and curled in from 20 yards out in the second minute. By the fifth, he had added an assist, too, by nodding a header down for Darwin Nunez before being subbed off to a standing ovation in the second half. Liverpool poached teenage winger Ngumoha, who turns 17 on August 29, from Chelsea. The Reds were impressed by his goalscoring performance in the U17 Premier League Cup final win against Wolves in April 2024 - and the Blues could not stop his move to Merseyside. Angry Chelsea responded by blocking Liverpool scouts from attending Chelsea youth matches. John Terry wrote at the time: 'This boy is and will be a top player.' He became the second-youngest starter in Liverpool history aged 16 years and 135 days when they played Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup in January. Now after his superb pre-season, the former Chelsea academy star could feature in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday - then make his Premier League debut. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Nguhoma expressed his belief he can 'win the Ballon d'Or one day' before even making a senior appearance when he boldly declared: "I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game.' But while the England youth star has a long way to go to realise those dreams, team-mate Andy Robertson is confident the kid will be a nightmare for Premier League full-backs. Charlie Patino opens up on Max Dowman and his own journey from Arsenal wonderkid to Deportivo Robertson told The Anfield Wrap: 'He's not bad, is he? 'He's a good kid as well and he's got a fantastic head on his shoulders. Especially when he's got people like Mo [Salah] who can help him so much. 'Obviously that's the last two games now I've played with Rio in front of me and he just keeps on coming on and he's got a hell of a future ahead of him but the here and now looks pretty good as well.' Gary Gillespie added to LFC TV: 'He is such an excellent prospect. The difficulty is managing expectations but it's hard to put a lid on it." And Slot beamed: "Rio is showing things every time in pre-season." But Ngumoha is not the only English teenager hoping to make their mark on the Premier League this season… Trey Nyoni, 18 - Liverpool Ngumoha's team-mate Nyoni held the previous record for Liverpool's youngest FA Cup player - and is club's youngest player in European football. The central midfielder was snatched from Leicester with a tribunal needed - but is now fully focused on adding to his six first-team games for Slot's side. 20 Trey Nyoni is another teenage star Liverpool wrestled from a rival Credit: Getty Will Wright, 17 - Liverpool Striker Wright signed from Salford this week after making his professional bow last season but will likely be in Rob Page's U21s set-up. 20 Will Wright made his switch from Salford City this week Credit: Reuters Max Dowman, 15 - Arsenal Arsenal fans are getting very excited about "special" playmaker Dowman, who has had to wait to get his Premier League debut as he started last season aged 14. Premier League rules state players must not be below the Under-16s age group in order to be named in a matchday squad. But few would bet against Dowman, who impressed in the Far East in recent weeks, following in the footsteps of Arsenal pal Ethan Nwaneri and Leicester's Jeremy Monga last season by starring in the top flight before his 16th birthday on New Year's Eve. 20 Max Dowman could make his Premier League debut aged 15 Credit: Getty Divine Mukasa, 17 - Man City Attacking midfielder Mukasa won back-to-back FA Youth Cup titles - in 2023 with West Ham then 2024 with Man City. Also eligible for Lithuania and Uganda, he has played across three youth ages for England. 20 Divine Mukasa, back row fourth left, moved from West Ham to Man City in 2023 Credit: The Times Shim Mheuka, 17 - Chelsea Mheuka was born in Birmingham, had a spell at Brighton and is now at Chelsea, where the versatile forward got one minute in the Prem but made four appearances on the way to Conference League glory under Enzo Maresca in 2024-25. Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Nicolas Jackson are fighting for the No9 spot and Mheuka faces a tough battle to get any minutes on the wings. 20 Shim Mheuka made four appearances in Chelsea's successful Conference League campaign Credit: Getty Josh King, 18 - Fulham Not the Norwegian Josh King who played for Bournemouth, this is the English midfielder who made eight Premier League appearances for Fulham last term. 20 Josh King of Fulham will be confident of adding to his Prem experience Credit: PA Harry Howell, 17 - Brighton Attacking midfielder Howell came on for his Premier League debut as Brighton beat champions Liverpool in May. He is the cousin of Seagulls midfielder Jack Hinshelwood. 20 Harry Howell came through the Brighton academy Credit: AFP Ayden Heaven, 18 - Man Utd Made a high-profile transfer from Arsenal in February and immediately thrown into the first-team set-up by Ruben Amorim. A strong left-footed defender, Heaven will put his comical own goal against Everton behind him and challenge the senior internationals at Old Trafford. 20 Ayden Heaven joined the Red Devils from Arsenal earlier this year Credit: Getty Harry Amass, 18 - Man Utd Alongside Heaven, he could be joined by fellow Young Lions star, left-back Amass. The ex-Watford teen made his senior United debut on his 18th birthday at Leicester in March, played twice in the Europa League final run and could be the future solution to the left-back struggles. 20 Harry Amass could be the long-term left-back for Manchester United Credit: Alamy Chris Rigg, 18 - Sunderland Rigg only turned 18 at the end of June but has already racked up 72 first-team games for Sunderland - including 42 in the 2024-25 Championship season. The sale of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund will give Rigg more of a spotlight and his cheeky backheel Goal of the Month last season proves he has the confidence and talent to make an impact at the highest level. 20 Chris Rigg helped fire Sunderland to promotion aged 17 Credit: PA Harrison Armstrong, 18 - Everton Liverpool-born midfielder Armstrong has been at Everton since he was five and made his Prem debut aged 17 away at Tottenham last August before a fruitful loan spell at Derby, where he helped keep the Rams up. 20 Everton have high hopes for teen Harrison Armstrong Credit: Getty Caleb Kporha, 19 - Crystal Palace Following Nathaniel Clyne and Aaron Wan-Bissaka along the Crystal Palace conveyor belt of right-backs is Kporha. The attacking wing-back made his Premier League bow last season and played in all of England's U19 Euros matches this summer. 20 Caleb Kporha is a right-back for Crystal Palace and the youth England team Credit: Getty Jayden Meghoma, 19 - Brentford Left-back Meghoma was also part of that U19 Euros squad after working through the England youth ranks. The ex-Southampton defender made four Brentford appearances last term - as well as 14 on loan at Preston. 20 Jayden Meghoma has a bright future ahead of him at Brentford Credit: Getty Remy Rees-Dottin, 19 - Bournemouth Another youngster who started out at Southampton, striker Rees-Dottin appeared in the FA Cup and Premier League under Androni Iraola in 2024-25 and will hope for more minutes this season. 20 Remy Rees-Dottin will one day hope to be Bournemouth's main striker Credit: Getty Lewis Orford, 19 - West Ham Just one letter different from another West Ham teenage debutant in Reece Oxford, midfielder Orford has already been compared to ex-Hammers men Declan Rice and Frank Lampard. 20 Lewis Orford is already being tipped to follow in the footsteps of Declan Rice Credit: Getty Mateus Mane, 17 - Wolves Mane was in such high demand last season that Portugal and England both called him up at the same time - and the forward chose the latter. Born in Portugal, he moved to Manchester as a child and rattled in seven goals in 15 U18 Premier League last season to earn his top-flight debut. 20 Mateus Mane opted to play for England over Portugal Credit: Getty Kadan Young, 19 - Aston Villa Winger Young impressed against Chelsea in a friendly win during the 2022 World Cup and has two EFL Cup games to his name - plus three appearances on loan at Royal Antwerp last season. 20 Kadan Young wants to kick on after his loan in Belgium Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Manchester United rival Newcastle with Sesko bid and believe he prefers Old Trafford
Manchester United are battling with Newcastle to sign the RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. Newcastle had appeared to be within touching distance of a deal for the 22-year-old but Manchester United made a rival bid on Tuesday and believe the player would prefer a move to Old Trafford. Newcastle submitted a second offer for Sesko of £69.7m, which with add-ons could rise to almost £75m, after receiving encouragement that he was potentially open to a transfer to Tyneside. But cautious optimism at St James' Park regarding an agreement was caveated by Manchester United's interest. Manchester United's bid is of a guaranteed £65.2m, rising to a possible £73.8m. They have been pursuing a striker all summer and missed out on targets including Viktor Gyökeres, Hugo Ekitiké and Liam Delap. Manchester United have spent more than £130m on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this summer and previous indications have been that they would need to sell at least one of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia if they were to spend big again. Newcastle were also keen on Ekitiké and Delap and it would be another significant transfer blow for them if Sesko were to end up at Old Trafford. With Eddie Howe's first-choice centre-forward Alexander Isak having made plain his desire to leave, ideally for Liverpool, Newcastle are in the market for two forwards. Negotiations with Brentford are ongoing regarding Yoane Wissa, and Howe is also a longstanding admirer of Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Newcastle's negotiations with Leipzig have been led by the director and minority owner Jamie Reuben, who has stepped in to assist Howe's nephew Andy Howe with recruitment in the absence of a sporting director. Isak is scheduled for talks with Howe this week but chances of a real rapprochement look slender. After the Swede missed Newcastle's tour of Singapore and South Korea citing a minor thigh problem apparently undetectable on scans and took the unilateral decision to train alone at his former club Real Sociedad, it is hard to envisage Isak playing for the club again. Liverpool's £110m bid for him was rejected last week. Howe said before leaving Seoul that he had known nothing of Isak's trip to Spain and warned that players exhibiting 'poor behaviour' would not be permitted to train with his first team. Newcastle's manager described the situation as 'far from ideal'. A series of potential signings, also including João Pedro and James Trafford, have turned down Newcastle but Howe, who is preparing for a Champions League campaign, has signed the Sweden winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55m and the goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton. Ramsdale's arrival appears to have opened the door for Martin Dubravka to depart, with the Slovakia goalkeeper in advanced talks over a move to Burnley. Howe is also in the market for a right-sided centre-half and, should funds be released by Isak departing, Newcastle could revive a longstanding interest in Crystal Palace's Marc Guéhi. With Newcastle not thought to be Guéhi's first-choice destination a deal could be difficult and Marseille's Argentinian centre-half Leonardo Balerdi remains high on Howe's shortlist. Newcastle have made repeated attempts to recruit the defender Giorgio Scalvini from Atalanta but have been persistently rebuffed. Guéhi is understood to be willing to stay at Selhurst Park and see out his contract, which expires next summer. Liverpool are believed to be his preferred option, although they are reluctant to pay Palace's £40m valuation. Palace rejected an offer worth up to £70m from Tottenham in January and are facing the possibility of the England international leaving on a free transfer. Guardian
