Latest news with #EuropaConferenceLeague
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie hero Adam Frizzell says he's left Diamonds in a good place as he looks back on four-year spell
The club captain departed last week for Derry City Former Airdrie skipper Adam Frizzell feels he's left the club in a good place, as he looked back on his four years in the Diamond. The 27-year-old signed for League of Ireland side Derry City last week on an 18-month contract that he said was 'too good to turn down', with the side chasing a European place. Frizzell's new team are currently over halfway through their season as Scottish football prepares for the big kick-off and he believes he has left the club on strong footing. The midfielder departs with plenty of fond memories of his spell in Monklands having captained the team to a long-awaited trophy in 2023 with their SPFL Trust Trophy triumph and also promotion in the same year. Asked about his favourite moment from his spell at New Broomfield, Frizzell said: "There have been so many. The first season I went in, we were excellent. We finished second [to Cove] but we won almost every game that season. We had a really good team. "In the second year, we won promotion which was unbelievable as well. "In the third year we won the cup and the club hadn't done that in a long time. To do that as captain was a massive honour for me. "There will be a lot better players than me that don't lift a trophy in their career so it will probably be something I appreciate even more when I look back. "Last year was a bit sticky, but we got there in the end and kept the club in the division. "That was massive for me. If I thought there was a chance of moving on, I wanted to leave the club in a really good place, which I think it is. "It is a really young, exciting squad and I am looking forward to watching them this season, supporting them from afar." Frizzell feels he is making a step up by moving overseas and hopes to get a taste of Europa Conference League football with Derry next season. He said: "I got a very small taste of it [playing in Europe] when I was very young playing for Kilmarnock and we went out in the first round to a Welsh team. "That's what you dream of when you're young and to be going and pushing for Europe was a big selling point. "Not only that but I don't think it would be disrespectful in saying that it's probably a step up in general. It's a really tough league now with a lot of good players in it. It was time for me to come over and challenge myself and I'm looking forward to doing that."
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Cyprus move paid off as Esselink reaches UK 'target'
Dutch centre-half Bert Esselink believes his decision to ignore advice not to move to Cyprus when he was 20 has paid off after reaching his "target" of playing in the United Kingdom by signing for Dundee 25, Esselink has joined the Scottish Premiership club at the end of his contract with relegated Polish outfit Stal his first interview with United's club website, he explained that, having come through the youth ranks with De Graafschap and having just finished his university degree, he was given the chance to join PAEEK, then in the Cypriot second tier."My girlfriend and I decided to go to Cyprus even though people said don't do it and I am grateful we made that decision at the time," Esselink paid off with a move to APOEL Nicosia, with whom he got a taste of Europa Conference League football."The step to the biggest club in Cyprus was a big one - it makes you bigger as a player," Esselink said. "But there are bigger stages than playing at APOEL."I did not play many minutes, but it was good to experience how much European football can mean for a club."In addition to the chance to play in Conference League again this season, Esselink was attracted to the "history" and "warmth" he felt from Dundee United."When I was young, I always said I wanted to play in the UK," he said. Esselink is not daunted by the Premiership's tough reputation given the Polish Ekstraklasa "style of play is to be aggressive".
Metro
a day ago
- Business
- Metro
Man Utd sent latest transfer message by Real Betis over 'complex' Antony deal
Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo insisted the club are still pursuing a deal for Manchester United winger Antony but said finances could prove an issue. Antony enjoyed a resurgent spell at Betis during the second half of last season, helping fire the club to the Europa Conference League final and scoring nine goals in 25 appearances. And the Brazil international is now desperate to return to Spain, repeatedly making it clear he sees his future at Betis. The 25-year-old has no future under Ruben Amorim back at United, but the Red Devils do not want to loan him out again and are seeking a permenant transfer this summer. Betis have not spent over £20m on a player in six years, but are set to raise funds through the departure of midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who is close to joining Atletico Madrid. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Regardless, Fajardo conceded that reaching a deal with United for Antony could still prove difficult, but said they would do everything in their power to bring the winger back to the club this summer. 'We all have to be aware that this is a very complex operation,' Fajardo said. 'Given the player's level and his recent career at Real Betis, it's not an easy transaction. 'But, as long as Antony hasn't committed to a third party, we, with the utmost humility, will play our cards to be able to opt for Antony. 'I insist, despite this being a complex operation, we will try to carry it out in different ways without compromising the club. In the end, the most important thing is also the sustainability of the club. 'We will try to be creative, as we have been in the past, so that Antony can be here. Today, the market is open, as I said before, it's very dynamic, and we are part of that game.' Antony is prepared to take a 30 per cent wage cut to help seal a move away from Old Trafford. The former Ajax star is currently on £150,000-a-week. But United would still demand a fee in the region of £32.58million to avoid a loss on the player under the profit and sustainability rules (PSR). More Trending Asked about Antony's publically stated desire to return, Farajado added: 'It doesn't surprise me (Antony wants to return to Betis). 'And I'd like to take this opportunity once again to highlight the work that Real Betis does as a whole, across all departments. 'When a player arrives here and has such an immediate impact, that's no coincidence. It's the result of the work, sacrifice, and seriousness of everyone involved on a day-to-day basis. 'Not only so that Antony can perform and give his best, but so that all the players who join Betis can reach their prime.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: £70m England star makes transfer decision amid Chelsea and Man Utd interest MORE: Valencia respond to Arsenal's opening transfer bid for Cristhian Mosquera MORE: Arsenal told £67m transfer target will be sold if he does not 'wake up'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Antonio's future at West Ham becomes clear after horror car crash recovery
Michail Antonio was previously in talks with West Ham over extending his stay at the London Stadium just months after his horror car crash but all the signs point to him leaving the club Michail Antonio looks to have just days remaining as a West Ham player after talks over his future ground to a halt. The Jamaican striker is out of contract at the end of the month, having been with the club for 10 years. He was named on West Ham's free agents list but the Hammers confirmed that they were delaying a decision over the forward's future as he continues his recovery from the broken leg he sustained in a horrendous car crash last season. A statement from the London side read: "Given Michail Antonio's unique situation, following his serious road traffic accident in December 2024, there will be no formal decision and announcement on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate. "However, as his current contract is also due to expire on 30 June, for the purposes of the Premier League Retained List procedure at the end of the 2024/25 season, Michail will be listed as a free transfer. "As a long-serving, highly-respected player, and a much-loved member of the West Ham family, the Club's absolute priority at this time is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level." But as it stands, Antonio now looks set to depart with little progress having been made on an extended stay, according to The Athletic. And should that be the case, it would bring to an end a brilliant spell with the Hammers. Antonio, 35, joined the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015. He has gone on to make 323 appearances, scored 83 goals and also helped the club to the Europa Conference League crown. Antonio recently released a video revealing the gruelling stages of his recovery, that coming after he had promised to take to the pitch once more. He said: "Yes, 100 per cent. I will play again. It's the biggest injury I've ever had in my career. "But the fact that I'm already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I'll play again, and I know that once I'm playing the game I'll get the sharpness back. "People have always doubted me. My mental strength is something that I've always believed in and this is just another setback, and it is not going to stop me." That was a promise that Antonio stuck by having played for Jamaica in their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign. He was introduced as a substitute in the 2-1 win against Guadeloupe, his first appearance since December. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Homegrown wonderkid bucking the trend after Chelsea promotion - 'A little weird'
Tyrique George is making a name for himself among Chelsea's senior squad after earning the trust of Enzo Maresca, and has been taking his chance at the FIFA Club World Cup Tyrique George is the academy graduate making a big name for himself in Chelsea's billion pound squad. George is determined to follow in the footsteps of Reece James, Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah who have all become stars in their own right after stepping off the Stamford Bridge production line. But Chelsea 's big-spending sprees under joint owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have made it harder for homegrown players even through the club's academy is regarded as one of the best in Europe. They have made £315m from selling academy-developed talent in the last four seasons alone which is £100m more than Manchester City. George, 19, is also bucking the trend - which he describes as being 'a little weird ' - of becoming a homegrown academy graduate to be promoted to the senior squad without going out on loan. England under-19s starlet George scored his first senior goal in the Premier League in April and also made the bench for the Europa Conference League final. Even more impressively, George came on as a substitute and also scored in Chelsea's Club World Cup win over ES Tunis to guarantee their place in the last 16 against Benfica on Saturday. George says it has been a battle to make his mark but is now determined to seize his opportunity starting in the United States this summer. Versatile forward George said: 'It's a little weird that I was in the Under 21s and then straight into the first team. It's a nice change. It's good. I just want to work hard to play for the club. I'm not really focused on what's going on elsewhere. When you're at Chelsea, you just want to play. 'I always have belief, going into anything I do. I've just got to keep working hard. It's a bigger competition but hopefully I can get on top of that and get some minutes. 'Of course I'm proud, but I don't really take the time to think about it, just because everything's so fast-paced. I'm happy for myself.' It has been a long journey for George and his family as he moved to Chelsea at 12, he uprooted from Camden in North London to Croydon so he could train at the club's Cobham training ground. Chelsea spotted him at eight and he admitted it was an 'emotional' move when he left his friends, the home he knew in Camden to pursue his dream when the everyday train journey with his mum Anita. George said: 'I was emotional, if I'm being honest. All my friends were in North London, so me moving away, it did feel like a completely new area, a new city. It was tough, but as I said, it was probably worth it. I enjoyed it, to be fair. 'I was excited once I got there. I saw the kids and was excited just to go into the new school, to meet new people. It was closer to training so it wasn't too bad after a month or two. 'I didn't really want to move to South Croydon. Basically, my whole life was in North London in Camden. But it was a decision I had to make for my career. It was a good part of my journey. 'But I think it was the best decision I ever made, one of them definitely. I feel like I'm doing well for myself so I'm happy and I just have to continue.'
