Sol Campbell Signs For Newcastle United

Sol Campbell has signed for Newcastle United on a one-year contract. Campbell was a free player after his contract with Arsenal ended this summer.

"At this stage of my career I couldn't have wished for a better move," the 35-year-old told the Newcastle website.

"To join a club such as Newcastle, with it's proud tradition, heritage and magnificent support, is absolutely tremendous for me." (as reported by BBC.co.uk)


Sunderland, Celtic and Arsenal were also interested in signing 35-year-old Sol Campbell. Sol Campbell is now Chris Hughton's third summer signing following the arrivals of Dan Gosling and James Perch from Everton and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Newcastle will play in Premeier League this season after one season in the Championship.

Arsenal Now Pursuing Dutch Number 1 Maarten Stekelenburg

It has reported now that Arsenal will now go for Dutch number one Ajax’s Maarten Stekelenburg and not Austrlian international (Fulham goalkeeper) goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Arsenal were on trail to rope in Mark Schwarzer in the final weeks of the recently help World Cup 2010, but reports coming from UK suggest that Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger in now seeking the service of Holland's number one goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Arsenal’s current first-choice stopper Manuel Almunia has fallen out of favour at Emirates Stadium and could be sold and the fact that Wenger does not have enormous faith in Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny indicates that a move for Stekelenburg could be on the cards.

MLS Kansas City Wizards Stuns EPL Manchester United 2-1

Kansas City Wizards 2 v/s Manchester United 1

Kansas City Wizards's Sunil Chhetri against Johhny Evans of Manchester United

Kei Kamara's Winning (2nd goal for KCW)

Wow!..Kansas City Wizards has made their fans proud. Two goal from Davy Arnaud and Kamara helped them to stun EPL Manchester United 2-1, and that too playing with 10-men for 50 minutes. In the 40th minute of the game KCW's Jimmy Conard was shown the red card and so the MLS team was reduced to 10 men. Jimmy Conrad was shown a red card after his sliding tackle on Dimitar Berbatov in the penalty box. Dimitar Berbatov scored from the spot kick in the 40th-minute for MU, while Davy Arnaud scored in 11th minute and Kamara scored 2 minutes from the breather.

India's Sunil Chhetri was called upon by KCW's coach Peter Vermes in the final 20-minutes of the game. But, one can imagine the role of a striker when his team is down to 10 men. But nevetheless, Sunil kept MU defenders on their toes and kept them busy with his opportunistic solo runs.

A reported crowd of 52,424 turned out on Sunday to watch the Kansas City Wizards defeat Manchester United at Arrowhead Stadium.

Sunil Chhetri...we as Indians are proud of you. You have made your country and club proud. Good Luck with MLS future.

Image Courtesy: TheSun.co.uk, Goal.com, Kansascity.com

Arsenal defender Sol Campbell Ties-Knot With Fiona Baratt- Pictures

35-year-old Arsenal defender Sol Campbell got married to 29-year-old Fiona Baratt on 17th July, 2010 in Northumberland village of Corbridge. Fiona's grandfather Sir Lawrence Barratt's family home is at Northumberland. Among the guests were former colleagues from Arsenal and England, including Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Andrew Cole and Martin Keown.

Following the ceremony at St Andrews Church, the wedding party returned to the Campbells' 18th century manor house, which they bought two years ago.

The couple's nuptials comes a year after Campbell proposed with a £100,000 diamond ring over a romantic dinner.

Check out some of Sol Campbell's wedding photographs below:

Fiona Baratt with her father Peter Barratt

Sol Campbell and Fiona Baratt After their Wedding

And They Will Live Happily Ever After...

News and Image Courtesy: sports.rightpundits.com, popsugar.co.uk and dailymail.co.uk/sport/football

David Moyes Signs New 5-Year Deal With Everton

Scots man, Everton manager David Moyes has signed a new five-year deal with his old club. Moyes had been in the final year of his previous deal and talks over an extension had rumbled on for some time. However, 45-year-old David Moyes has often stated his intention to remain at Goodison Park.


Daid said: "There have been many different things for different reasons but we are here now and the big thing for me is that I am at Everton, as fas as I am concerned, for another five years and the job is to make us better than we have been. I am really excited and really pleased, I am pleased for everybody. I'm pleased for myself and my family who were desperate to get it signed and secured and it is always what I wanted to do."

After West Ham's Alan Curbishley, Its New Castle's Kevin Keegan

Kevin Keegan quit as Newcastle United manager for a second time following a dispute over player transfers, a day after Alan Curbishley resigned from English Premier League soccer rival West Ham for the same reason.

Keegan, who also quit Newcastle in 1997, received a letter yesterday from managing director Derek Llambias that failed to resolve the issues, the League Managers Association said in a statement. Keegan held the job for less than eight months and said he had ``worked desperately'' to resolve his differences.

"It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want," Keegan said in the statement. "I have been left with no choice other than to leave."

Newcastle said in a statement it was ``disappointed'' after spending several days in talks and putting forward "a set of practical suggestions for how to move forward."

Keegan disagreed over the sale of winger James Milner to Aston Villa last week and was upset that billionaire owner Mike Ashley wanted to sell striker Michael Owen, according to U.K. media reports. Keegan's loyalty to Joey Barton was another sticking point with Ashley, who wanted to get rid of the player who recently was released from prison, the Daily Mail reported.

News Courtsey: bloomberg.com

Manager Alan Curbishley Quits West Ham United

Alan Curbishley's turbulent spell as West Ham manager came to an abrupt end on Wednesday when he quit, saying the club had sold players against his wishes.

Curbishley saved the east London club from relegation in the 2006-07 season but has had a lean time since. He becomes the first English Premier League manager to leave his job this season after the Hammers sold defender George McCartney to Sunderland.

Before the sacking, West Ham released a statement justifying the sale of McCartney and Anton Ferdinand.

But Curbishley responded with a televised interview in which he said McCartney had been sold to Sunderland despite him telling chief executive Scott Duxbury that he needed the full-back to cover injuries.

"It was the transfer of George McCartney which I was vehemently against," Curbishley said.

"Not just because he is such a good player — I happen to think he's one of the best full-backs in the Premier League — but the situation we found ourselves in with injuries to other players."

A club statement said: "We can confrim that we have accepted Alan Curbishley's resignation as we feel it is in the best interests of both parties. We wish Alan all the success in the future. A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new West Ham United manager."

West Ham put reserve team coach Kevin Keen in charge but Croatia manager Slaven Bilic is tipped for the permanent job.

News Courtsey: AP

Wolverhampton Wanderers's Mick McCarthy Named Championship Manager for August

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy has been named the Championship manager of the month for August. Mick McCarthy has been recognised for Wolves’ great start to the season.

Alan Irvine of Preston, Birmingham's Alex McLeish and Bristol City chief Gary Johnson were all in contention for the first managerial award of the new campaign.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were held to a 2-2 draw by Plymouth Argyle on opening day, but have won all three subsequent games and currently sit top of the table.

Manchester City Signs Robinho, Manchester United Signs Berbatov

Manchester City signed Brazil forward Robinho for what reports said was a British record fee after Thaksin Shinawatra agreed to sell the Premier League soccer team to an Abu Dhabi investment company on transfer deadline day.

Robinho, 24, joined on a four-year contract, City said on its Web site without disclosing the fee, a day after he held a press conference stating his desire to join Chelsea. City paid Real Madrid 42 million euros ($61.2 million) for Robinho, who will receive 6 million euros a year after tax, Sky Sports said.

``In order to compete with the best teams in the Premier League we have to be in the market for players of this caliber, and Robinho is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world,'' City manager Mark Hughes told his club's Web site.

City's prospective owners -- Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment -- fulfilled their promise of purchasing a ``high profile'' player minutes before the trade period closed yesterday at midnight London time. City had earlier agreed to a fee for Dimitar Berbatov before the Tottenham striker instead joined cross-town rival Manchester United.

The Premier League champion will pay 30.75 million pounds ($55 million) for Berbatov, Tottenham said on its Web site.

News Courtsey: bloomberg.com

Sunderland's Michael Chopra In Rehab

Its been reported in the press that Sunderland's Michael Chopra has gone in to rehab for personal issues.

He has had problems with his marriage having spilt from his wife Heather after only a month.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has pledged the club's full backing to striker Michael Chopra as he "deals with some personal problems".

The Daily Mirror reported on Thursday that the £5million 24-year-old former Newcastle and Cardiff player had been checked into the Sporting Chance clinic.

Keane said: "We are helping Michael as he deals with some personal issues and he has the full support of everyone at the club. We would ask that his privacy, and that of his family, is respected at this time and the club will not be commenting further on this matter."

News Courtsey: The Press Association

Argentine Javier Saviola Linked With Newcastle United

Newcastle United have been linked with a loan move for Real Madrid forward Javier Saviola

The Argentina international has been on the fringes of the Bernabeu squad and would be a useful addition to the Newcastle squad currently thin in the forward ranks with both Michael Owen and Mark Viduka struggling for fitness.

After Newcastle's impressive showing in the draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford at the weekend, Keegan was hopeful that Mike Ashley, the club's owner, will be moved to make a "wow signing" to further boost morale.

The 26-year-old Saviola is keen to secure regular football after making just nine first-team appearances for the Spanish club and is thought to be eager to move on.

Last week, Ashley told corporate box holders at St James's Park that he will ensure that a top signing is made to lift the team.

And Keegan responded: "A wow signing? I am looking forward to that very much! Now he has said it.

"Saviola? That would be nice for starters. Dennis Wise, Tony Jiminez, Derek Llambias, we are working really well together to get quality players in."

News Courtey: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/

Samir Nasri Joins French Squad For Sweden Match

Arsenal's French midfielder Samir Nasri has been added to France's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Sweden after Olympique Marseille's Hatem Ben Arfa pulled out, the French Football Federation said on Monday.

Nasri, 21, who joined Arsenal from Marseille this season and was replaced by Ben Arfa, has scored twice in 12 internationals.

Nasri marked his debut for Arsenal in EPL, on Saturday by scoring the winning goal against West Bromwich Albion.

Ben Arfa complained about groin injury after Marseille's 4-0 win over Auxerre.

France will take Sweden in Gothenburg.

Image Courtsey: AFP Pictures

Manchester United's Youth Team Player Ben Collett Wins £4.5 Million Playout For Injury

Ben Collett (now 23) was part of the 2003 Manchester United's FA Youth Cup-winning side, but in May that year he got his legs broken in two places in tackle made by Middlesbrough's Gary Smith on his first appearance for the reserve team. After that he failed to recover from the injury.

Now in 2008, Ben Collett was awarded more than 4.3 million pounds ($8.26 million) in compensation for a career-ending tackle at the High Court in London on Monday (11th August 2008).

United manager Alex Ferguson gave evidence on behalf of Collett at an earlier hearing in Manchester.

The final compensation is likely to reach 4.5 million pounds when sums for future loss of pension and interest on past loss of earnings are factored in. Middlesbrough's insurers will pay the compensation.

Asian Tour: Chelsea Thrash Guangzhou Pharmaceutical 4-0

Chelsea thrashed Chinese Super League side, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical 4-0, in their opening match of their Asian Tour. The goals were scored by Salomon Kalou, Frank Lampard, Argentinian teenager Franco Di Santo and Shaun Wright-Phillips. The match was played at Guangzhou Olympic Stadium.

Deco made his debut today for Chelsea in midfield alongside Lampard. Andriy Shevchenko not included in the squad due to minor injuries.

The game was witnessed by 35,000 people.

Chelsea continue their Asian tour with a match against Chengdu Blades on Saturday.

Chelsea's Asian Tour Starts Against China's Guangzhou Pharmaceutical : Practice Snapshots

Chelsea's Asian Tour: Chelsea Against China's Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on July 23rd

Chelsea's Asian Tour: Andriy Shevchenko celebrating with a teammate during a training session in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

Chelsea's Asian Tour: Deco during a training session in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

Chelsea's Asian Tour: Chelsea's manager Luis Felipe Scolari instructs his players during a training session in Guangzhou.

Chelsea's Asian Tour: Chelsea football club manager Luis Felipe Scolari (R) with Captain John Terry.

Image: Courtsey: Xinhua Photo

Manchester United Fly To South Africa Leaving Owen Hargreaves

Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves' persistent knee problems has made the midfielder miss United's 2-0 win at Aberdeen on Saturday and has now been left behind in Manchester as the rest of the squad flew to the pre-season tour in South Africa.

Edwin van der Sar, Nani, Patrice Evra and Cristiano Ronaldo are also the players who will be missing Manchester United's pre-season match in South Africa. Cristiano Ronaldo could not come as he's currently recovering from an ankle surgery.

Everyone else boarded the plane along with captain Gary Neville.

WAGS: Michael Chopra And Heather Swan Spilt After One Month Marriage

Sunderland striker Michael Chopra, and his wife Heather Swan, of ITV2's Wags Boutique, have split up just one month after they got married. Heather Swan has thrown out Chopra from their £1m home and told friends the marriage is over.

They got married on Friday June 13 in a £250,000 ceremony at Orchardleigh House in Somerset. According to the Telegraph.co.uk, they appeared to hit a rocky patch early on as 30 guests apparently saw them having a row at breakfast the next day. The couple has a five month old baby son Sebastian.

Michael Chopra returned early from their honeymoon to Capri in the Mediterranean and Barbados, leaving Miss Swan alone in the Caribbean.

Michael Chopra is reportedly staying at a rented address about 15 miles away from the martial home.

EPL side Sunderland signed Chopra for a four-year contract said to be worth up to five million pounds on July 13, 2007.

The Harry Kewell - Galatasaray Mess

Harry Kewell signing up for Galatasaray seems to have created quite a ripple in the world wide web. My last post was obviously caused by a random feeling of nostalgia in me. However, it seems that incurred a similar yet different feeling to Silverback. It is his comment that made me sit back and think a while about my own words.

He wrote to me

Not sure where you get your info from but I don't know of any Leeds fans who are 'stunned' and I live in Leeds.

Clubs are not responsible for the actions of the hooligan element of their fans so why would an incident from 8 years ago stop Kewell signing for Galatasaray when his future obviously did not lie with Liverpool.

I worked for a long time with the brother of one of those killed. I read about Kewell moving to Turkey and the incident never even entered MY mind until reading this post. Sounds more like making assumptions and stirring up trouble to me.

Good luck to him as he'll need it in Turkey without the need to mention old history.

I did a bit of research and it was my turn to get "stunned" to see several newsflashes coming up alomost every hour which shouts out various news about Harry Kewell signing up for Galatasaray. According to Guardian.co.uk : agent denies Galatasaray deal (posted 4 hours ago), according to ABC Online, Australia: Kewell headed to Turkey, not Beijing (posted 7 hours ago) and according to AFP Google: Kewell misses Olympics to sign with Galatasaray (posted 5 hours ago).

In this digital age of open journalism, rumours and news seem to have mingled up obscuring a clear vision. My post was not to hurt any sentiments or directed to remind some painful past. Neither was it intended to stir up trouble. Even I wish good luck to Harry Kewell and thank Silverback for opening my eyes and reminding me of responsibilities as a blogger in the platform of open journalism.

Leeds Stunned By Harry Kewell's Shock Signing For Galatasaray

Former Leeds United and Liverpool striker, Australian Harry Kewell has decided to sign for Turkish club Galatasaray. Galatasaray announced that Kewell has signed a 3-year-deal with the club.


But this news has stunned Leeds fans because two Leeds fans - Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight - were stabbed to death by Turkish football hooligans on the eve of the 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Galatasaray. Kewell played in that match which went ahead despite the tragedy - the 2-0 defeat immaterial to Leeds and their fans who still remember the murders of Loftus and Speight with deep sadness.

Brazilian Jo Joins Manchester City From CSKA Moscow

21-year-old Brazilian Joao Alves de Assis Silva, popularly known as Jo has joined Manchester City from CSKA Moscow on Wednesday (3rd July 2008).

Jo has played only one international match for Brazil has signed a 4-year contract with the EPL side, Manchester City. This is Mark Hughes's first major signing at Manchester City. Jo moved to CSKA Moscow from Corinthians in 2006.

It had been reported that City expected to pay around 19 million pounds (38 million dollars) for the striker, who scored 44 goals in 77 matches for the Russian club.

"I decided to come to Manchester City because it is one of the clubs who showed more interest in me, although I had other offers as well," Jo said at a press conference announcing his signing.

"After I spoke to the manager (Hughes) I was very pleased.

"I was told Manchester City is a club going forward at the moment. We can go places, that is our objective. We thought about it and I decided to come to Manchester City for that reason."