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EVERTON NEW SIGNING DEMARAI GRAY VOWS TO HELP THE TOFFEES GET BETTER

Demarai Gray has vowed to help Everton compete with the Premier League’s big boys after completing his move to Goodison Park.

The 25-year-old former Leicester winger has signed a three-year deal and has the option of a fourth with the Toffees as he leaves German side Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee after just six months in the Bundesliga.

He follows fellow wideman Andros Townsend and keeper Asmir Begovic to the blue half of Merseyside with new manager Rafael Benitez and director of football Marcel Brands wasting little time in re-shaping the squad for the season ahead.

Gray told the club’s official website: “I’m delighted to be back in the Premier League at such a big club and I’m excited to play with the team and get to work.

“Speaking to the manager and Marcel Brands, I had a really good feel for the club and I feel this is a place where I can continue to develop.

“The manager, with his ambition and what he has won in the past, is important and we’ll look to push forward and compete with the top clubs. I think a club of this magnitude has all the potential to be right up there.

“Collectively with what Marcel and the manager have said to me, everything fits, including the club’s ambitions and goals. Everton are a very big club and the main objective is to be pushing and competing back up there in the table.

“I want to work hard on the training pitch and work my hardest for the club on the pitch.”

Birmingham-born Gray, who will wear the number 11 shirt, began his career with his hometown club before making a £3.5million switch to the Foxes in January 2016, and was a Premier League winner at the age of 19.

He has been capped by England up to Under-21 level and is confident he can renew his acquaintance with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose 21 goals last season helped Everton finish 10th, to good effect.

He said: “I’ve played with a few of the boys for England Under-21s, so it’s always nice to see a few familiar faces.

“Dom’s kicked on massively with his goals and, for me, as a winger, that’s the type of player you want in the box. My job is to feed him for him to put the ball in the net.

“We’ve got top international players in the squad and I think we have a good balance. It’s an exciting time.”

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CELTIC SIGN JAPAN FORWARD KYOGO FURUHASHI FROM VISSEL KOBE

Celtic have announced the signing of Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi from Vissel Kobe on a four-year contract.

The transfer, which is subject to international clearance, sees Furuhashi move to the Scottish Premiership from the J1 League, where he is currently top scorer in the ongoing 2021 season with 14 goals.

Furuhashi, a now ex-team-mate of Vissel Kobe captain Andres Iniesta, is the Hoops’ fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide from Sheffield Wednesday and Liel Abada from Maccabi Petah Tikva.

Parkhead manager Ange Postecoglou said: “We are delighted to bring Kyogo Furuhashi to Celtic. He is a player of real quality and clearly someone I know well.

“I think he will add something special to our squad, and I am sure the way he plays will excite our supporters. We look forward to welcoming him to Celtic.”

Furuhashi, who has scored three times in six internationals for Japan, helped to win Vissel Kobe’s only two trophies in their history.

He was part of the side that lifted the Emperor’s Cup on New Year’s Day in 2020 after a 2-0 victory over Kashima Antlers at Tokyo’s National Stadium, while he was also involved in the subsequent Japanese Super Cup triumph.

On that occasion the J1 League champions, Yokohama F Marinos, were managed by Postecoglou, with Furuhashi scoring in an entertaining 3-3 draw before Vissel Kobe got their hands on the trophy after winning a penalty shoot-out.

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ITALY GOALKEEPER GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA SIGNS FIVE YEAR DEAL AT PSG

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has signed for Paris St Germain on a five-year deal.

The 22-year-old joins PSG after reaching the end of his contract with AC Milan, with whom he had been since 2013.

Donnarumma was handed his Milan debut aged 16 in 2015 and ended up making over 200 Serie A appearances for them.

Confirmation of his move to PSG comes three days on from Donnarumma, holder of 33 senior caps, helping Italy win Euro 2020 and being named player of the tournament.

His efforts included keeping three clean sheets and saving one penalty in the shootout in the semi-finals against Spain and then two more in the one that settled Sunday’s final as the Azzurri got the better of England at Wembley.

Donnarumma said in quotes on PSG’s official website: “I am very happy to be part of this great club that is Paris St Germain.

“I feel ready to take on this new challenge, and continue to grow here. With Paris, I want to win as much as possible and give joy to the supporters.”

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “We are pleased to welcome Gianluigi Donnarumma to Paris St Germain.

“We congratulate him on his victory at Euro 2020, and his title as the best player of the competition.

“I know Gianluigi will receive a warm welcome from everyone at the club, including his teammates, our staff and all the Parisian support.”

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RUI PATRICIO COMPLETES MOVE FROM WOLVES TO ROMA

Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio has joined Roma from Wolves for an undisclosed fee.

The Premier League club confirmed the deal, which Roma stated to be for an initial £9.8million, on Tuesday evening.

Patricio, 33, becomes Jose Mourinho’s first signing since the former Tottenham boss was appointed as head coach at Roma in May.

“Roma is a big club and a new challenge and I’m excited to try and help the club achieve its targets,” Patricio said on www.asroma.com.

“In Jose Mourinho we are talking about one of the greatest coaches in the world and I am excited to start working with him and doing everything I can to help the team.”

Patricio joined Wolves in 2018 after requesting to leave Sporting following an attack on the Lisbon club’s training ground by fans.

The veteran goalkeeper made more than 135 appearances for Wolves, with 37 clean sheets, and helped the team qualify for Europe under former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Wolves technical director Scott Sellars said on the club’s official website: “We would all like to thank Rui for everything he has done for Wolves during the past three seasons.

“He has been part of the best years of the club’s recent history, in terms of the success we have had, coming to us when we were newly promoted and helping the club to achieve two seventh place finishes.

“He’s been a fantastic servant to the club, but it’s a fantastic opportunity for him to experience a new club in a new league, and a good move for everybody involved. We certainly wish him the very best of luck at Roma.”

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EX-BOLTON WANDERERS GOAL KEEPER, REMI MATTHEWS JOINS CRYSTAL PALACE

Former Wanderers goalkeeper Remi Matthews has joined Premier League side Crystal Palace on a free transfer.

Matthews has signed a two-year deal at Selhurst Park, becoming Patrick Vieira’s second signing since taking charge.

The goalkeeper arrived at the UniBol in 2018, initially on a loan deal from Norwich City before making the move permanent five months later.

He made 58 appearances for the Whites before leaving the club in the summer of 2020 at the end of his contract.

Following a season in League One with Sunderland, the 27-year-old is now heading to the Premier League.

Matthews’ latest move is no surprise given the Eagles were keen to sign him from Wanderers back in 2019, but the move was blocked by the club’s administrators.

“I can’t wait to get started,” the goalkeeper told Palace TV.

“I’m excited to work with Dean Kiely again because he helps me improve, and I’ve got two great goalkeepers to look up to in Vicente Guaita and Jack Butland.

“It’s great to be a part of it, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Matthews joins the London club following the departure of Welsh international Wayne Hennessey, who spent seven years at Selhurst Park.

Palace chairman Steve Parish added: “Remi brings plenty of Football League experience with him and we are really pleased to add him to our goalkeeping ranks, where he will continue to develop under the tutelage of Dean Kiely alongside Vicente Guaita and Jack Butland.”

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ATLETICO MADRID SIGNS RODRIGO DE PAUL FROM UDINESE

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 28: Rodrigo De Paul of Argentina looks on during the Copa America Brazil 2019 quarterfinal match between Argentina and Venezuela at Maracana Stadium on June 28, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Bruna Prado/Getty Images)

La Liga champions Atletico Madrid have signed Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese on Monday.

Atletico said De Paul joined the club on a five-year contract. He had been with Italian club Udinese since 2016.

De Paul started for Argentina in the Copa America final against Brazil on Saturday, when the Argentines won 1-0.

“I’ll be joining the Spanish league champion and I know that it is a big responsibility,” he said. “It’s a big step in my career.”

De Paul played two season with Spanish club Valencia before joining Udinese. He will be at Atletico under Argentine coach Diego Simeone.

Atletico are fresh off winning the La Liga title, the team’s 11th in club history and second under Simeone, who recently extended his deal to manage Atleti through the 2024 season.

“I’ll enjoy being under his command because I grew up watching him play with Argentina’s national team,” De Paul said.

Financial details of the transfer between Atletico and Udinese were not immediately released by the clubs.

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WATFORD SIGN NIGERIAN MIDFIELDER ETEBO ON LOAN

Watford have announced the signing of Nigeria central midfielder Peter Etebo on a season-long loan from Stoke City.

The 25-year-old moves to Watford in a deal that contains an option to make the signing permanent.

Etebo joined Stoke in 2018 and made 52 appearances for the Potters, scoring twice, while also spending time on loan at Getafe in 2019/20 and with Galatasary last season.

He has been capped 38 times by Nigeria, scoring twice, and becomes the Hornets’ eighth new arrival this summer after forward Dapo Mebude joined from Rangers earlier today.

Etebo will hope to make his Premier League debut when Watford host Aston Villa on Saturday 14 August.

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PSG SET TO MOVE FOR MANCHESTER UNITED’S PAUL POGBA

Paris Saint-Germain are considering a move for Manchester United’s Paul Pogba as they look to bring in a new midfielder this summer.

Pogba’s future at Old Trafford is far from certain as he enters the final 12 months of his contract and, speaking in December, his agent Mino Raiola said it was “over” and that the former Juventus midfielder needed “a new scenery.”

The 28-year-old enjoyed a strong end to the 2020-21 campaign as he helped United finish second in the Premier League and reach the Europa League final; and he continued that form into Euro 2020 with some impressive displays despite France’s shock round-of-16 exit to Switzerland.

PSG sporting directo and Raiola discussed Pogba over the phone, having addressed the subject in June when they met in Monaco. A move for Pogba was also discussed when PSG agreed a deal for Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is a free agent after his AC Milan contract expired.

Sources have told ESPN that Pogba has yet to discuss a new deal at United formally and is interested in the project on offer at PSG.

Other candidates on PSG’s transfer shortlist include Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga, who also has only one year left on his contract and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The 2018 World Cup -winner knows PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of his, while Leonardo has a very close relationship with Raiola.

Leonardo has been in Paris the past few days to finalise the arrival of Sergio Ramos, while Raiola was in Turkey for the transfer of Mario Balotelli, one of his other clients, to Adana Demirspor.

Before taking things further and contacting United, PSG will have to offload players first. Pablo Sarabia, Ander Herrera or Leandro Paredes are among the midfielders PSG would be open to letting go in order to make room for Pogba.

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OLIVIER GIROUD CLOSE TO €2 MILLION MILAN MOVE

AC Milan are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud for €2 million, sources have reported.

Chelsea triggered an option last month to extend his contract by a further 12 months but the 36-year-old wants more regular game-time and is keen on a move to Italy.

Giroud fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge last season following the arrival of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig with Kai Havertz also preferred at times as a false nine by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.

The club are in the market to sign a forward this summer and are expected to try and prise Erling Haaland away from Borussia Dortmund. They are also keeping tabs on Harry Kane’s future at Tottenham Hotspur among other possible targets.

Chelsea are willing to part with Giroud, who moved across London from Arsenal in January 2018 and has scored 39 goals in 119 appearances.

Since joining Chelsea, the France international has won an FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League.

Giroud was a World Cup winner with in 2018 and part of the side which was knocked out of Euro 2020 at the round-of-16 stage by Switzerland on penalties.

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PSG CONFIRMS THE SIGNING OF SERGIO RAMOS FROM REAL MADRID

French giants, Paris Saint German have confirmed the signing of Serigo Ramos from Real Madrid

The Spain International reflected on “a day I will never forget” as he completed his much-anticipated switch to Paris St Germain after ending his 16-year stay with Real Madrid last month.

Ramos has been at the forefront of Real’s success in recent years, helping the club to five LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns in his time at the Bernabeu, but injuries restricted his involvement last season.

He made just 21 appearances in all competitions in 2020-21, the fewest games he has played over the course of a campaign in a Real Madrid shirt, while he was at loggerheads with club president Florentino Perez over a new deal.

The 35-year-old Spaniard departed Madrid after 671 appearances and 101 goals, and has signed a two-year contract with Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG, tying him to the French capital club until June 2023.

“I am very happy to join Paris St Germain,” said Ramos on the club’s official website. “This is a big change in my life, a new challenge and it’s a day I will never forget.

“I am very proud to be a part of this ambitious project, to be a part of this squad with so many great players.

“Paris St Germain is a club that has already proven itself at the highest level. I want to continue to grow and improve at Paris and help the team to win as many trophies as possible.”

A number of niggles and a knee injury that required surgery have limited the veteran defender to just seven appearances in total for club and country in 2021, and he missed out on a Spain squad place at Euro 2020.

Ramos, part of the Spain sides that won the 2010 World Cup and back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, was one of the hottest free agents on the market this summer but PSG have won the race for his signature.

“Today, Paris welcomes one of the greatest players of our era,” said PSG chairman and chief executive officer Nasser Al-Khelaifi “We are delighted to announce that Sergio Ramos has joined us.

“Sergio is a complete footballer, one of the best defenders in the history of the game. He is a born competitor, a leader and a true professional. His vast experience and ambition is in perfect synergy with those of the club

“I am proud to see him in a Paris St Germain jersey and I know our supporters will reserve a fantastic welcome for him.”

Ramos is PSG’s third summer signing following the arrivals of Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan and Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool.