Nigeria Forward Onuachu Joins Turkish Side Trabzonspor

Paul Onuachu, a Super Eagles forward, has been made a permanent move to Trabzonspor in Turkey.

On Friday, the saints announced the transfer via a statement posted on their website.

The Southampton Football Club said it is “confirming that conditions have been reached” with Trabzonspor regarding Paul Onuachu’s transfer.

The 31-year-old will leave St Mary’s after a two-and-a-half-year spell that saw him score four goals in 40 appearances on loan to the Turkish side in 2023/24.

We applaud Paul and wish him well as he worked for the Saints.

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Following last year’s relegation from the Premier League, Southampton will now play in the English Championship.

Ipswich Town and Leicester City were both promoted to the bottom.

At Trabzonspor, Onuachu scored 15 goals in 21 games during the 2023-2024 season on loan.

He made his Super Eagles international debut in 2019 with 24 caps and three goals.

Celtic buy Sweden’s ‘exciting’ Nygren from Nordsjaelland

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Sweden winger Benjamin Nygren has signed for an undisclosed fee with Celtic from Nordsjaelland, according to manager Brendan Rodgers, who added that “he’s a player that our supporters will enjoy watching.”

The 23-year-old has made 107 appearances for the Danish side and has had stints with IFK Gothenburg, Genk, and Heerenveen. He has signed a five-year deal.

In his first four senior international appearances, which all took place in 2025, Nygren has scored twice.

He has already gained a lot of club experience, and his impressive performances from last season also earned him his first Sweden caps.

After moving to the United States, Nygren declared to Celtic TV, “I feel amazing.”

He said, “I’m a very competitive person, and I enjoy Celtic immensely.” “I adore the winning mentality and the huge club,” he said.

I want to be with like-minded individuals who enjoy winning as well.

The Swede responded, “I’m a player who wants to create a lot of chances and go towards goal,” when asked what fans could expect from him.

I can run a lot and serve as a liaison between the defense and the offence. I play the game with an offensive mind, but I also put in a lot of effort and give it my all.

Even now that I’m 23 years old, I have played over 200 games, which is “my breakthrough when I was very young.” I want to bring a lot of experience with me.

After just three and a half seasons with Nordsjaelland, Nygren helped them finish fifth in the Danish Superleague last season, ranking fourth overall in the league’s scoring department.

He stated on the website that “I came to FC Nordsjlland as a young boy and that he is leaving the organization now.” I had a wonderful time during this time.

“It’s important for me to play regularly and face significant challenges in both the Conference League and the Superliga.” In a lot of the spring games, I was pleased to wear the captain’s armband.

Nygren is moving on “by mutual agreement,” according to football director Alexander Riget.

Benjamin Nygren is a great example of what a football team can accomplish, he said.

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Andrews’ journey from set-piece expert to Brentford boss

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Keith Andrews applied for the manager’s position at League Two MK Dons two months ago, but Paul Warne, who was previously Derby County manager, did not.

After Thomas Frank’s departure from Tottenham, the former Republic of Ireland international was promoted to head coach at Brentford, making an unexpected turn for the former Republic of Ireland international.

Andrews is the 98th permanent (non-caretaker or interim) managerial appointment by a Premier League club since June 2015, but only the sixth to be a first-time manager.

Only Parker and Arteta’s tenure as permanent managers in that position, which included Mike Phelan (Hull, 2016), Craig Shakespeare (Leicester, 2017), Scott Parker (Fulham, 2019), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal, 2019), and Gary O’Neil (Bournemouth, 2022), endured more than seven months.

Matthew Upson, who played with Andrews at Brighton in 2013-14 and when the Irishman began his coaching career at MK Dons in 2015, tells BBC Sport, “An appointment like this is a rare and a risk.”

“But it’s exciting – it’s got everyone talking about it. Keith’s career is moving forward in a significant way, but I know him well and understand why this opportunity exists.

Andrews, who was born in Dublin, left Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of 20 and moved on to his first senior managerial position.

Will he be a success like Frank, who got Brentford promoted and established them in the Premier League during his seven years in charge?

Bees’ smart appointment was suited and booted.

Andrews ‘ playing career included Premier League appearances for Wolves, Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, while he represented his country 35 times and featured at Euro 2012 when Giovanni Trapattoni was in charge of the Republic of Ireland.

He also had a chance to play for League Two at MK Dons, one of the 12 clubs he has represented throughout his 15-year career, which included 412 appearances in all competitions.

McDonnell, who has closely followed Andrews’ professional career as a player and coach, says, “He has always been someone who is aware of the world around him.”

“He was close to the owner at MK Dons, Pete Winkelman, and his standing there in his mid-20s was such that he helped recommend Paul Ince as manager in 2007.

At Wolves, they had previously played together. After that, Keith was taken with him to Blackburn.

“Keith has good interpersonal skills. He was always interested in the future and what was happening. He was speaking to and networking.

” He recognised it was a short playing career and maybe he realised that to stay in the game you had to have your eyes open to what was going on around you. “

After working for a clothing company, Andrews, who was 31 at the time, assisted in the squad’s selection of suits for the tournament.

According to McDonnell, “He had an entrepreneurial side.”

Andrews made his international debut in 2008 at the relatively late age of 28 soon after joining Blackburn, then a Premier League club, from League One MK Dons for around £1m.

He played for Ireland in 2009, but Thierry Henry’s skillful handling of the ball cruelly prevented them from winning the World Cup against France.

Although Ireland finished bottom of their group, which included Spain, Italy, and Croatia, Keith was probably one of the few to receive any credit, adds McDonnell.

Andrews announced his retirement from playing in August 2015, aged 34, to become first-team coach to Karl Robinson at MK Dons.

He said at the time, “I absolutely adore my new role, and this is the ideal setting for me to learn.”

I’m just football-obsessed. I never switch off for a second – even when I’m watching a game at home on the sofa, I’m analysing it.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard captain challenges Blackburn's Keith Andrews during a Premier League game between Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers at Anfield in 2010 Images courtesy of Getty

“Riskous appointment, but also energizing.”

Andrews worked as assistant to Stephen Kenny for both the under-21 and senior Republic of Ireland national teams until Kenny’s departure in November 2023.

Prior to joining Roberto Martinez and Anthony Barry as Thomas Tuchel’s assistant in Belgium, Anthony Barry was also on the coaching staff at the time Andrews was involved.

Under the direction of Chris Wilder, Andrews left Sheffield United in December 2023 and became Brentford’s set-piece coach.

Though Andrews has been part of Brentford’s backroom team since last summer, it has been known that he has had ambitions to begin his managerial career for some time – hence his decision to apply for the MK Dons job.

Keith Andrews of Republic of Ireland and Xabi Alonso of Spain compete for the ball during the Euro 2012 Group C match between Spain and the Republic of IrelandImages courtesy of Getty

However, it continues to appoint people from within after Frank was promoted from his assistant position in 2018 to Dean Smith’s. Frank had managed Brondby and Denmark youth teams before joining Brentford.

Former England defender Upson says Brentford’s risk is present, but it’s also refreshing.

It demonstrates that they have faith in their organization, just as they did when Frank was appointed.

On his time working with Andrews at Brighton and MK Dons, Upson says: “He’s a very personable guy, and is excellent working with the players – he has got really good people skills, and his communication was really good.

He also had good coaching skills because of how well he spoke on the pitch.

When I was covering a Brentford game for 5 Live a few weeks ago, I had a good conversation with Keith, who was very supportive of the club and his work with Frank, and described how he was really putting his teeth into his position.

” He doesn’t have the experience of being a manager but he has the personality and the belief to do it and that must have come across, not just in an interview but from his work at the club in the past few months. “

Since taking over as set-piece coach at the Gtech Community Stadium on July 1, 2024, Andrews has undoubtedly had an impact.

In 24-25 sets-pieces, Brentford scored 14 of its 66 Premier League goals. Only Arsenal (17), Crystal Palace (17), Nottingham Forest (17), Aston Villa (16), Brighton (15) and Everton (15) scored more.

In addition, Brentford came in second place with six goals conceded from set pieces, behind Manchester City, who had a whopping six.

The Bees gained a reputation last season for using a quick start right away, with Andrews’ methods alleged to be a contributing factor.

In three successive league matches between 14-28 September – Manchester City (away), Tottenham (away) and West Ham (home) – they scored after 22 seconds, 23 seconds and 38 seconds.

Nathan Collins scored after 76 seconds in Brentford’s next game, a 5-3 home win over Wolves on October 5.

What I learned from our interaction was that he kept things fairly straightforward in terms of how he perceived the game as a player, “adds Upson.” He would do the simple things really well and he would like to play forwards quickly.

Will there be a line-up of critics?

Andrews has been a pundit on radio and television in both the Republic of Ireland and England.

After losing to Wales in 2018, he told the Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill to “stop moaning,” adding: “They don’t have a clue what they are doing.

What will success look like for Brentford under their new manager? Andrews can expect to face the same scrutiny as he will as a Premier League manager.

Since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2021, the Bees have finished 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th.

There will probably be a point where the team will experience a wobble, a dip, or a decline in results, according to Upson.

What transpires will be interesting, and it really depends on what Keith’s expectations are.

” Even Thomas Frank has had wobbles in the past, when the team went through really bad spells. Bryan Mbeumo is also projected to leave, which is a surprise.

“I can see why he has this chance, but having played with Keith and seen him as a coach in his early days, I can see why he has this chance,” he said.

” As well having good opinions, he is an impressive communicator in how he gets his ideas across. That is a very important trait for him as a manager because getting the players to agree with you is key.

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Brentford appoint Andrews as Frank’s successor

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Following Thomas Frank’s departure from Tottenham, Brentford have signed Keith Andrews as their new head coach for the club on a three-year deal.

Andrews, 44, previously worked for Frank as the Bees’ set-piece coach.

Andrews’ appointment marks the Irishman’s first managerial move, having previously worked for Sheffield United, MK Dons, and the Republic of Ireland.

Owner Matthew Benham’s choice to appoint Andrews may be seen as a gamble, but it does provide some continuity in keeping with what has already happened.

Dean Smith left for Aston Villa in 2018 after managing Brondby for nearly three years as well as Denmark’s youth teams, and Frank was promoted from his assistant position to take charge.

In a time of turmoil at Gtech Community Stadium, Andrews assumes the leadership.

Caoimhin Kelleher, the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, has left Liverpool in place of Dutch stopper Mark Flekken, who has relocated to Bayer Leverkusen.

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Alleged N33.8bn Fraud: EFCC Witness Says Ex-Minister Mamman Made Voluntary Confessions

Former power minister Saleh Mamman’s trial is pending, and an EFCC investigator has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the defendant willingly gave the Commission a number of confessional statements, all of which were made in the presence of his legal team and associates.

The first prosecution witness, Abubakar Kwaido, testified against claims that the statements were taken under duress before Justice James Omotosho.

As you can see from the videos we played, the defendant and his attorney were smiling, Kwaido said, “I was surprised to hear that he was threatened.” He delivered all of his statements in person, either by writing or by dictating them, and with the assistance of his legal representatives or close friends.

Mr. Kwaido told the court that the former minister made his statements to the Commission on May 10, 11, 12, 15, and 3 August 2023, as well as 3 and 9 August 2023, according to a statement posted by the EFCC on its official Facebook page on Thursday.

He claimed that the defendant was accompanied by various attorneys or individuals at each session.

It was taken on May 11, 2023, in the presence of P. A. Aderungi, and on May 12, Adewuyi and Aliyu Musa, respectively. He was given a warning on May 15 and had his statement read in Muzzarril Yahaya’s presence.

It was Paul Adetako on May 17 and Umar Yunusa on May 19th. He and his business partner, Rabiu, arrived on August 3 and Sulieman Yusuf, “Kwaido detailed,” on August 9.

Read more about Mama Boko Haram’s arrest for 11 million contract fraud in Maiduguri.

The EFCC is bringing Mr. Mamman to court on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which is alleged to be related to the Mambilla Power Project, and is scheduled to stand trial for 12 counts.

After prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, made strong arguments in their favor, the court accepted the extra-judicial statements after Femi Atteh, SAN, the court’s lawyer, who claimed they were coerced, made compelling arguments in their favor.