Latest news with #TheSoccerTournament
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
J.J. Watt Makes Post NFL Career Move
J.J. Watt Makes Post NFL Career Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former NFL superstar J.J. Watt has some big news off the football field that will keep him busy. After 12 seasons in the league, where he starred as a defensive end for the Houston Texans and later the Arizona Cardinals, Watt retired in 2022 and quickly shifted into new ventures. Advertisement In May 2023, Watt and his wife announced they were becoming minority investors in Burnley F.C. He's been active with the soccer club, even appearing as a guest player in The Soccer Tournament in 2024. It's a seven-on-seven event played in Cary, North Carolina. Now, Watt is getting even more involved in soccer. On Tuesday morning, it was announced that Watt would take over La Liga club Espanyol. Despite the move, both Espanyol and Burnley will remain independent. Espanyol is based in Barcelona, while Burnley is located in England. Watt acknowledged the news with three words, in Spanish: "¡Força Mágico Espanyol!" That translates to "Go Magic Espanyol." Advertisement Espanyol doesn't have a strong recent track record. Founded in 1900, the club finished 14th out of 20 teams in La Liga last season. Espanyol was a founding member of La Liga in 1928 and won its first Copa del Rey in 1929. However, the club holds the record for the most seasons in La Liga without winning a league title. J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has enjoyed a move into soccer club ownership following his NFL retirement in 2022.© Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports During Watt's football career, he began at Central Michigan before transferring to Wisconsin. He was selected 11th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft and went on to become one of the league's most dominant defensive players. Watt won Defensive Player of the Year three times, including back-to-back honors in 2014 and 2015. Advertisement In 2017, he was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. Watt was selected for five Pro Bowls but never won a Super Bowl. He retired with 114.5 sacks and 586 total tackles. Related: Jason Kelce Shares Admission About Brother Travis Kelce Related: Chiefs' Harrison Butker Reveals Goal for 2025 NFL Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
The FOURTEEN ex-Celtic players looking for a new club – including Barcelona conqueror and Europa League winner
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC have completed arguably their biggest ever free transfer signing as Kieran Tierney returns to the club. They're also in the process of losing another Scotland international under freedom of contract with Greg Taylor jumping ship to PAOK Salonika in Greece. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 5 Kieran Tierney is back at Celtic in a stunning move Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Meanwhile, Greg Taylor is on his way out Credit: Kenny Ramsay It's generally been a matter of pride in the East End of Glasgow not to let your top talent walk out of the building for free. James McCarthy, one of the strangest Hoops signings in recent memory, will do precisely that this summer as his four year stay at the club comes to an end. But there's plenty of ex-Hoops stars available right now under freedom of contract, including one at least one more potential recruit in the form of Jeffrey Schlupp. But there's plenty of EX-Hoops stars on the lookout for new clubs this summer - and here's SunSport's at-a-glance guide. Dedryck Boyata Now 34, the big Belgian defender has been without a club for six months since leaving Club Brugge but has been strutting his stuff out in The Soccer Tournament 7-a-sides out in the US. Sold on the club by Ronny Deila, Boyata had his fare share of fallouts with Brendan Rodgers before he eventually left on a free transfer to join Hertha Berlin. Jason Denayer Another Belgian centre half who came in on the Boyata route from Manchester City, Hoops loanee Denayer was named the PFA Scotland young player of the year during his time in Glasgow. Still only 27, he's on the look out for a new club this summer having spent the last three seasons in the Gulf, first at Dubai-based Shabab Al Ahli then at Saudi Pro league outfit Al Fateh. Stuart Armstrong Scotland international Armstrong was a quality operator after joining the Hoops from Dundee Utd in 2015. Celtic Title Party Aftermath: Nine arrested as street party descends into total chaos He recently enjoyed a short stint with old team-mate Ryan Gauld in Vancouver before returning to the UK in January when he signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a deal until the end of the season - which has now ended. Gary Hooper The Englishman scored a barrel load of goals in Glasgow after joining from Scunthorpe United in 2010. He's played for 10 clubs since completing his Hoops exit three years later - including stints in New Zealand, India, Cyprus and Dubai - but where will the 37-year-old head next after recently leaving Maldon & Tiptree? Fraser Forster Celtic have been blessed with some great goalkeepers over the last two decades - and Forster could be the best of the lot. He's now set to make a big decision on his future in football after leaving Tottenham Hotspur following the end of his contract - weeks after being part of Ange Postecoglou's Europa League winning side. Nat Philllips The centre-back was given a baptism of fire at Ibrox just weeks after moving to Glasgow, then he made his Champions League debut at Parkhead a month later. Now he's set to embark on a new chapter of his career after finally cutting ties with Liverpool following six loan spells away from Anfield. 5 Victor Wanyama He returned to Scotland in a move that rocked Scottish football when he joined Dunfermline in March - linking up with his old boss Neil Lennon until the end of the season. His short-term deal has come to an end, so he's set to be a free agent. That's if Lennon fails to tie him down on fresh terms in the coming weeks... Tony Watt He will always be remembered for that famous goal against Barcelona in 2012. Since leaving Celtic two years later, the Scottish striker has played for FIVE SPFL clubs - Hearts, St Johnstone, Motherwell, Dundee and St Mirren. And he's set to be on the move again after coming to the end of his contract at Tannadice. Christopher Jullien 5 Jullien playing for Celtic in 2019 Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow Celtic spent £7million to bring the Frenchman to Glasgow in 2019 and he scored some big goals - both in Europe and against Rangers. A horror knee injury curtailed his time in Scotland, though, and he left in 2022 to join Montpellier - where he is now coming to the end of his contract. Jonjoe Kenny The former Celtoc loanee didn't cover himself in glory in Scotland - but the same can't be said for him in Germany. The right-back was a fan favourite at Herta Berlin but his time in the German capital is over after three years - and he's been linked with a move to AEK Athens, similar to out-of-contract Celtic left-back Taylor. Daniel Arzani The forgotten winger was back in the news in Scotland this month after going under the radar ever since his loan deal at Parkhead ended in 2020. Now 26, the former Australia wonderkid could make his return to the Premiership in the coming weeks as Hearts are interested in signing him on a free transfer following his exit from Melbourne City. Scott Sinclair 5 Sinclair was a fan favourite at Parkhead Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow The pacy wide-man, now 36, completed an emotional return to his boyhood club Bristol Rovers in 2022. At that time it looked like it would be the last move of his career but he's now out of contract once again and has yet to give an update on his future - or even announce his retirement. Cristian Gamboa The Costa Rica right-back left Celtic for Bochum in 2019 - and he's been there ever since. He was given an emotional send off on the final game of the season as he waved goodbye to his fans after six years at the club. Liam Henderson The 29-year-old has been in Italy for seven years since he quit Celtic for Bari in 2018. But will he head back to the UK on a free transfer this summer after running down his contract at Empoli? Several English clubs are reportedly interested in snapping him up. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Kerkez to Liverpool transfer takes huge step with fee agreed and medical booked
Liverpool are chasing Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez and the potential £45million transfer has taken a step forward with the news that the Cherries have identified a replacement Bournemouth have agreed a deal to sign Stade Rennes left-back Adrien Truffert. The Cherries have been hot in pursuit of the 23-year-old, who they view as a replacement for Liverpool-bound Milos Kerkez, over the past 10 days. Andoni Iraola's side have now struck an agreement with their French counterparts worth in the region of £14.4million, inclusive of add-ons. Truffert had just one year left to run on his contract in Ligue 1 and had told Rennes that he was keen to pursue a new challenge. He has already verbally agreed a long-term contract with Bournemouth and has now received the green light to undergo medical checks. Nottingham Forest and Marseille had also shown an interest in Truffert. Truffert's move to Bournemouth will only go ahead if Kerkez is sold to Liverpool, as expected. The Cherries are holding out for around £45m for the Hungary international, who enjoyed an outstanding 2024/25 season. The 21-year-old, who is under contract with Bournemouth until June 2028, started all 38 Premier League matches for the club, chipping in with two goals and six assists. He is keen to join Liverpool, who have identified him as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson, and left the Hungary squad last week citing 'personal reasons'. Negotiations between the two clubs were slightly complicated by Cherries technical director Simon Francis spending time in the United States last week representing Bournemouth in The Soccer Tournament. He has been leading talks with former Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who used to work at Bournemouth. Mirror Football understands that second-choice left-back Kostas Tsimikas is likely to leave the Reds this summer, with interest from the Premier League and abroad. Robertson, meanwhile, has previously suggested he is keen to sign a new contract with Liverpool and has insisted he is ready to fight for his place in the side. HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Milos Kerkez a good signing for Liverpool? Comment below. "We're not daft, it looks as if a deal could potentially be done," Robertson told BBC Scotland. "But, until that is done, I've not even given that a second thought. I back myself, I've got confidence in my own ability and that drives me forward. "I've had eight fantastic years at Liverpool in terms of winning trophies, being a mainstay in the team, which I'm incredibly proud of. I'm not getting any younger, I can't change my age, but I still believe I've got a lot to give and that's what I focus on. "I focus on myself - you can't focus on other people or who you're competing with. I still believe I have a hell of a lot to give for however many years I can keep going. My body feels good at the minute.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carli Lloyd's game-winner, USWNT reunion and a $1 million prize: TST balances fun with fire
The past few days in Cary, North Carolina have felt like a U.S. women's national team reunion, complete with slide tackles and a $1 million prize on the line. World Cup winners like Heather O'Reilly, Carli Lloyd, Ali Krieger and Hope Solo laced up once again, not just for nostalgia, but to satiate that ever-present hunger for competition and glory. Their battleground was The Soccer Tournament (TST), a seven-a-side, winner-takes-all competition which is equal parts entertainment and sport. And for the second year in a row, it has become something of a post-retirement playground for the U.S. women's national team. Advertisement Starting last week, games were played on a smaller field with a fast-paced format designed for high-stakes and comebacks. The tournament featured rolling substitutions and target score time, meaning a game finishes on a final goal as opposed to when time ends. The target score is determined by adding one to the leading team's score after the full-time whistle and having teams compete to see who is the first to reach that total. As an added obstacle, a player from each team is removed from the field of play every three minutes until this target score is reached. In its third year, 48 men's teams and 16 women's teams competed for a $1 million prize. It all comes down to the two finals on Monday night: reigning champions US Women play Bumpy Pitch FC Women at 7 and Bumpy Pitch FC (men) take on Pumas De Alabama at 8:30, streaming on ESPN+. 'This is our third year in the tournament,' O'Reilly, US Women founder and captain, told Chatting from her bed between two matches, in mid-recovery on Friday, she talked about the tournament's evolution. 'Year one, we were the only all-women's team, got our butts kicked, but probably were fan favorites. That loss turned into something bigger and the following year we demanded a women's division and equal prize money.' TST organizers first questioned the idea of paying women equal prize money, but O'Reilly pushed hard for it. The organizers said there was an ongoing discussion about the prize money and eventually agreed that equal pay was the only way to go. Advertisement 'Don't even do it at all if you're not going to do it equally,' O'Reilly said. O'Reilly is the driving force behind assembling the US Women team. She retired from professional soccer in 2019 but came back to fulfil her dream of playing the UEFA Champions League with Irish champions Shelbourne in the 2022-23 season. (Gotham FC also signed her as an Injury Replacement Player for a game in 2024.) Though she shifted to coaching in her post-playing years, O'Reilly never stopped jumping to lunchtime pick-up games when she could. When she heard TST was taking place in her backyard, she knew she had to play. Last year, she recruited her longtime friend Lloyd, who was pregnant at the time, to coach. But this year, after welcoming her daughter Harper in October, the two-time FIFA Player of the Year is back on the field, fit and focused. The 42-year-old scored the winning goal for the US Women on Friday to make it to the semifinals over the weekend. Krieger is also on the squad. So are Allie Long, Amber Brooks, Cat Whitehill, Casey Loyd, Jill Loyden and Jo Lohman. Former USWNT midfielder and Bay FC co-founder Leslie Osborne is serving as an assistant coach, while Lori Lindsey is the team's general manager. Advertisement Solo entered her own team this year, Solo FC, falling to Ultrain FC in the quarterfinals. In that match, the former U.S. goalkeeper made a diving save reminiscent of those she made in World Cup and Olympic finals. Knowing more opponents were joining the tournament this year, the US Women's preparation started early: Zoom calls, strategy sessions, and even custom workout plans were sent out weeks in advance. 'Every year, new teams come in better prepared,' O'Reilly said. 'Some of these coaches know this format inside-out.' This year, O'Reilly added a handful of younger legs too, including University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores, who scored the game winner for the USWNT U-23 team in Germany last month. Advertisement 'You have to keep evolving, find those small margins. This game is different from 11-a-side,' O'Reilly said. 'Last year we lost our first game, and it was a real wake-up call.' When the US Women won the tournament in 2024, each player took home around $50,000, while coaching and staff took in about half of that. 'That's not just gas money, that's tuition for kids' schools, a mortgage, real-life stuff,' O'Reilly said. On Monday night, they will face off against Bumpy Pitch Women — a squad making its TST debut with a mix of former NWSL players like Ally Prisock, Katie Johnson, McCall Zerboni, as well as college talent, and European and Japanese pros — for the same $1 million prize. From the start, the team's mission wasn't just to compete, it was to make a statement. They lobbied for equal prize money. They got it. Now they want more. 'There's so much brand value here,' she said. 'You've got U.S. legends, high-level soccer and an audience that's hungry. Sponsors should be lining up.' Advertisement Founded by TBT Enterprises, which also created The Basketball Tournament, TST has grown from a quirky offseason tournament into a potential model for a fast-paced version of soccer mostly consumed by younger fans. The tournament was unveiled in 2022 with 32 men's teams. TST added the women's tournament in 2024 and doubled the size of the women's side this year, expanding from eight to 16 teams after receiving more than 50 applications. The tournament signed a broadcast deal with ESPN and on the women's side, signed with RBC Wealth Management as the main sponsor. Similar tournaments like the Kings and Queens League in Spain and World Sevens Football have followed in recent years. O'Reilly has had offers to play or coach in other tournaments, but for now, she is loyal to TST, a date she circles in her calendar every year. 'For me, TST is kind of the one time of the year, our annual time to get the band together,' she said. 'I wasn't expecting TST to even be in my life, and now it is. We'll see what the future brings. But it is an interesting idea. I think a lot of people are thinking, maybe this is the future of the sport in some way and that's amazing.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, Soccer, NWSL, Sports Business 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Daily Mirror
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Manager issues Milos Kerkez statement as Liverpool transfer moves step closer
Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who has now been omitted from Hungary's squad to face Sweden on Friday Hungary national team boss Marco Rossi has revealed Milos Kerkez will miss Friday's international friendly against Sweden as his transfer to Liverpool moves closer. The Bournemouth left-back had been expected to feature against the Swedes in Budapest but it appears the Reds are now closing in on Arne Slot's defensive target. Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Rossi issued a cryptic message when explaining that both Kerkez and striker Barnabas Varga would be unavailable. Rossi said: "Of course, a few problems may creep in, for example, for various reasons, neither Milos Kerkez nor Barnabas Varga will be in tomorrow's match." Kerkez appears to have teased the transfer is nearing completion himself by captioning an Instagram post with eye emojis. He has already given his approval to Liverpool, who have been working on finalising a deal with Bournemouth. Talks have been slightly complicated by the fact Cherries technical director Simon Francis has been in the United States this week representing Bournemouth in The Soccer Tournament in North Carolina. Francis has been leading negotiations with former Bournemouth chief Richard Hughes, who is now working as Liverpool's sporting director. Kerkez quickly emerged as Liverpool's primary left-back target as they look to sign competition for Andy Robertson. Greece international Kostas Tsimikas is expected to depart Anfield this summer and is attracting interest from both the Premier League and Europe. If Kerkez, 21, does sign on the dotted line at Anfield, he will team up with international team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai on Merseyside. Meanwhile, the Reds also remain in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a club-record deal for Florian Wirtz. So far, they have seen two offers rejected by the German club but negotiations are advanced and are expected to reach a positive conclusion soon. Kop boss Slot is understood to have met with Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki over the past week but the Frenchman now looks poised to join Manchester City. Liverpool were only likely to pursue a deal if an agreement for Wirtz failed to materialise as they look to strengthen their forward options. The Premier League champions have already sold goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford in an £18m deal as the Republic of Ireland international was keen to pursue regular football. An approach from Barcelona for Luis Diaz has also been rejected and Diaz has since admitted he would be open to staying at Anfield this summer even though a new contract does not currently look to be on the cards.
