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CHIEDOZIE OGBENE RETURNS TO PREMIER LEAGUE

Luton winger Chiedozie Ogbene has completed a move to Premier League newcomers Ipswich for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who scored four times in 30 appearances for the Hatters in last season’s top flight, has signed a four-year contract.

Ogbene told Town TV: “I’m very excited and feel lucky to have this opportunity to play in the Premier League again.

“It’s an opportunity I had to grab with both hands and I can’t wait to be involved as soon as possible.”

Ogbene began his career in Ireland with Cork City and Limerick before spells at Brentford, Rotherham and Luton.

Burnley have continued their squad overhaul by signing Hannibal Mejbri on a four-year deal from Manchester United.

The Tunisia attacking midfielder, 21, joins for an undisclosed fee and is the eighth new arrival at Turf Moor this summer.

“I’m very excited. Very happy to be here and I can’t wait to see the fans,” he said.

“After speaking to the coach (Scott Parker), the project sounded good to me and hopefully we can make it a success.”

Mejbri joined United in 2021 – the same year he made his Tunisia debut – and spent loan spells at Birmingham and Sevilla.

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FORMER ENGLAND STRIKER PAUL MARINER DIES AT 68

Former England and Ipswich striker Paul Mariner has died at the age of 68.

Mariner scored 139 goals in 339 games for Ipswich in a golden era in which they won the FA Cup in 1978 and UEFA Cup in 1981.

His other clubs included Plymouth, Arsenal and Portsmouth while he also earned 35 England caps and scored 13 times for his country.

Mariner had been battling brain cancer.

A statement from his family read: “We regretfully inform you that Paul passed away peacefully on July 9th surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with brain cancer.

“We would like to thank all the people who came to see him through his illness for their support and for the messages that were sent to him, they meant a great deal to him and us.

“A special thank you must go to the NHS and the unbelievable care he received when he most needed it and for that we, as a family, will forever be in your debt.

“Paul lived a full life and was fortunate enough to represent a group of fantastic football clubs as well as his country, all of which meant the world to him.

“Anyone who knew Paul will attest to his fantastic sense of humour, his passion for life and for his work.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone who was ever around him and by those most close to him.”

Mariner, who played at the 1982 World Cup, also had spells playing and coaching in the United States and he managed Plymouth during the 2009-10 season. He later managed Toronto FC and worked as a media pundit.

A tweet from Ipswich read: “We are devastated to hear the news of the passing of Town legend Paul Mariner at the age of 68. The thoughts of everyone at #itfc are with Paul’s family and friends at this sad time.”

A tweet from the England team’s account read: “We’re sad to have learned that Paul Mariner, who made 35 appearances for the #ThreeLions , has passed away at the age of 68. Mariner represented England between 1977 and 1985, scoring 13 goals. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and former clubs.”

Terry Butcher, a former team-mate with Ipswich and England, also paid tribute.

Butcher told Sky Sports News: “I remember him standing there, his chest was out, his chin was high, he was standing to attention. He was just perfect. That’s the example I wanted to follow.

“What it meant to him to play for England was everything. He was totally committed for England.”

Mariner began his career at Plymouth and scored 61 times in 155 appearances for the club before leaving for Ipswich in 1976.

A statement from the club read: “The Argyle family is devastated to learn of the passing of legendary striker Paul Mariner.

“Everyone at the club sends our deepest condolences and best wishes to Paul’s family and friends at this tragic time.”

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ED SHEERAN ANNOUNCED AS SHIRT SPONSOR FOR IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Ed Sheeran has been announced as the new shirt sponsor for Ipswich Town football club.

The singer grew up in Framlingham in Suffolk, which is just outside Ipswich, supporting the team and still lives nearby.

He has agreed an initial one-year deal with Blues to sponsor shirts for the club’s men’s and women’s first teams.

He said: “The football club is a big part of the local community and this is my way of showing my support.

“I have always enjoyed my trips to Portman Road and I’m looking forward to going back there as soon as supporters are allowed into stadiums again.

“With the new owners from the US coming in, there are sure to be exciting times ahead for Ipswich fans, including myself. Hopefully we can stop being sloightly on the huh!”

Gamechanger 20 Ltd (GC20) bought out former owner Marcus Evans earlier this month and hopes to turn around the fate of the struggling Sky Bet League One club.

New co-owner Mark Detmer has said the opportunity to “wake a sleeping giant” was one of the major draws for them at Portman Road.

The shirts will feature mathematical symbols (plus, minus, equals, divide, multiply) and the word TOUR, seemingly a reference to some of his albums.

Asked about the meaning of the logo, Sheeran said: “All will be revealed in time.”

The musician, who welcomed his first child with wife Cherry last August, shared the news on Instagram, posting a childhood photo of himself in an Ipswich Town shirt.

He wrote: “This bloke is the new sponsor of @ipswichtown football club. Do well.”

Rosie Richardson, director of sales at Ipswich Town, said: “We are obviously thrilled that Ed has agreed to become our shirt sponsor next season.

“I have worked with Ed and his management team on various initiatives over the years and welcomed Ed and his guests to Portman Road for many games.

“He has shown his support for his hometown in lots of ways and this is another example of that.

“We look forward to seeing Ed – and every other supporter – back at Portman Road next season.”

Pre-orders for the new home shirt are expected to start from early June.