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    Ronaldinho Returns To Professional Football At Age 46

    Ronaldinho and Ravenna
    Thursday

    Brazil legend Ronaldinho has returned to professional football at age 46 with Italian third-tier club Ravenna, more than a decade after retiring. The former Barcelona star was unveiled before thousands of supporters and will also become a shareholder in the club.

    Ronaldinho last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015 and says he hopes to score his 300th career goal. Ravenna’s president insists the move is not merely promotional, although the Brazilian will not feature in Monday’s Serie C opener.

    Chelsea Agree Joao Pedro Contract Through 2034

    Chelsea and Joao Pedro
    Thursday

    Chelsea have reached an agreement to extend Joao Pedro’s contract through 2032 with a club option taking it to 2034. The Brazil striker is being rewarded after scoring 20 non-penalty goals last season and impressing throughout Chelsea’s summer preparations.

    Joao Pedro has also been handed Chelsea’s number nine shirt and is expected to start the Premier League opener against Fulham. The long-term deal strengthens his status as Chelsea’s first-choice striker while Liam Delap is available for transfer.

    Geertruida Completes PSV Move With €12.5m Option

    PSV Eindhoven, RB Leipzig and Lutsharel Geertruida
    Thursday

    PSV have completed the signing of Netherlands defender Lutsharel Geertruida from RB Leipzig on a season-long loan. PSV will reportedly pay around €6m for the loan package and hold an option to make the transfer permanent for €12.5m.

    Leipzig’s supervisory board has approved the move after Tuesday’s agreement in principle, allowing Geertruida to complete his medical and join PSV. The Dutch champions see him as their preferred solution after Jerdy Schouten suffered a serious knee injury.

    Salah’s First Trabzonspor Start Ends In Europa Loss

    Mohamed Salah, Trabzonspor and Ferencvaros
    Thursday

    Mohamed Salah’s first start for Trabzonspor ended in a 1-0 home defeat to Ferencvaros in the first leg of their Europa League play-off. Kristoffer Zachariassen scored the only goal as the Turkish side failed to convert several second-half chances.

    Salah twice went close to scoring before Trabzonspor finished with ten men following Chiboke Nwayo’s stoppage-time red card. The result leaves the Turkish club needing a comeback in Budapest on 27 August to reach the Europa League league phase.

    Maracana To Host 2027 Women’s World Cup Final

    FIFA, Brazil and the Maracana
    Thursday

    FIFA has confirmed Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana will host both the opening match and final of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Hosts Brazil will begin the tournament there on 24 June, with the final scheduled for 25 July.

    The Maracana will also stage a semi-final and becomes only the third stadium to host both men’s and women’s World Cup finals. FIFA confirmed eight Brazilian host cities, with every venue scheduled to stage at least one knockout match.

    Heggebo Gets Two-Match Ban For Handball Goal

    Aune Heggebo, West Bromwich Albion and the Football Association
    Thursday

    West Brom striker Aune Heggebo has received a two-match suspension for scoring with his hand against Norwich. An independent commission ruled that the Norway forward successfully deceived the referee, upholding a misconduct charge despite West Brom’s appeal.

    The case is believed to be the first English football ban of its kind since the relevant rule changed before the 2024-25 season. West Brom now plan to ask the FA for clarification on how players should react in similar situations.

    Brighton Reject Liverpool’s £50m Yankuba Minteh Bid

    Liverpool, Brighton and Yankuba Minteh
    Thursday

    Brighton have rejected a £50m offer from Liverpool for Gambia winger Yankuba Minteh. The 22-year-old is one of Liverpool’s leading wide-attacking targets as Andoni Iraola looks to strengthen after Mohamed Salah’s departure from Anfield this summer.

    Brighton are reluctant to sell despite Minteh being open to the move, while Liverpool continue assessing alternatives including PSG’s Bradley Barcola. Minteh is currently recovering from leg surgery and is expected to remain sidelined for at least eight weeks.

    MLS Finalizing Expansion To 20-Team Playoff Format

    Major League Soccer and its clubs
    Thursday

    Major League Soccer is finalizing a new postseason format that would expand the playoffs from 16 to 20 teams. The proposed structure introduces upper and lower brackets, play-in games and a double-chance advantage for higher regular-season finishers.

    The format has not yet received a formal vote, but MLS is in the final approval stages. League officials hope the tiered seeding benefits will make regular-season positions more meaningful while retaining single-elimination matches from the quarter-finals onward.

    Manchester City Open Allan Elias Transfer Talks

    Manchester City, Palmeiras and Allan Elias
    Thursday

    Manchester City are in talks with Palmeiras over winger Allan Elias as they prepare for further attacking changes. The 22-year-old Brazilian is being considered as a potential Savinho replacement while Tottenham continue negotiations for the City forward.

    Palmeiras maintain Allan is not for sale and sources indicate interested clubs may need to trigger his €100m release clause. City are nevertheless pursuing the deal as Enzo Maresca reshapes a squad already hit by several high-profile departures.

    Troy Parrott Completes Real Betis Transfer From AZ

    Troy Parrott, Real Betis and AZ Alkmaar
    Thursday

    Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott has completed a permanent transfer from AZ Alkmaar to Real Betis. The move takes the former Tottenham forward into La Liga after two seasons in the Netherlands that helped rebuild his career.

    Parrott joined AZ from Tottenham for around €4m in 2024 and developed into an important player in Alkmaar. AZ confirmed his departure and praised his progress, while the transfer gives the 24-year-old his first permanent opportunity in Spanish football.

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