Category Sports News

Kevin de Bruyne has completed his move to Napoli after the Belgian midfielder left Manchester City at the end of the Premier League season.

De Bruyne will link up with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, who is head coach of the Italian champions.

In moving to Italy on a free transfer, De Bruyne rejected an offer from Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire, and the switch means he can play in the Champions League next season.

Napoli announced the signing of the 33-year-old with a computer-generated image of De Bruyne sitting on a throne wearing a crown, captioned “King Kev is here”.

De Bruyne notably helped City to win six Premier League titles, five League Cups and two FA Cups – plus their first Champions League title in 2023, completing the Treble as Pep Guardiola’s team became only the second English side ever to achieve the feat.

His departure from City was announced before the end of the season, and De Bruyne bid an emotional farewell at Etihad Stadium following his final home league match against Bournemouth in May.

He also briefly appeared at Fulham in City’s final game of the domestic season.

“It’s been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I had with everything that happened here. It’s been an unbelievable ride and an absolute pleasure,” De Bruyne said of his City exit.

“It was a joy working really hard to try and help create something that brought the club the success we enjoyed. I’m super proud to have played a part in that.

“Manchester has been my home and my family’s home for these past 10 years.”

City have moved quickly to fill the creative gap left by De Bruyne, signing midfielders Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan and Rayan Cherki from Lyon.

They could face De Bruyne in the Champions League next season, with the Belgium international continuing his career at the top level.

Rose Namajunas says she has no plans to move back down to strawweight as she is still targeting becoming a two-weight UFC champion at flyweight.

The American is a two-time strawweight champion and considered one of the best fighters ever at 115lb, but her fortunes at flyweight (125lb) have been mixed with a 2-2 record since 2023.

Namajunas, 32, faces Miranda Maverick on Saturday in Atlanta and says she would only return to strawweight for a big fight.

“I know that people try to tell me what to do or advice about my career. I know myself and I know what I’m doing. Yeah maybe I had some mixed results. But there are a lot of factors that go into it, that people don’t know about,” Namajunas said at a UFC media day.

“I’ve already got to the top of [the strawweight division]. With the time I have left in my career, this is the next biggest challenge.

“It got to the point at 115lb I had so many rematches and I was fighting the same people. I have that goal of becoming two-division champion.”

Namajunas lost a points decision to Erin Blanchfield in her last outing in November, describing it as hitting a “speed bump” and has also been beaten by title contender Manon Fiorot.

The Milwaukee native, who is 13-7 overall in her MMA career, says her goal is to earn a title shot.

“I still feel like it’s possible and it’s very in reach. I was actually in this position before at 115lb where I was making a title run and I fought Karolina [Kowalkiewicz] in Atlanta many years ago,” she said.

Namajunas may soon welcome an old rival to the strawweight division with champion Zhang Weili tipped to move up and fight flyweight belt holder Valentina Shevchenko.

Namajunas is also chasing a bout with Shevchenko and has two wins over Weili at strawweight.

Asked how she thought that fight could go, she said: “Weili has a chance, she probably has a better chance than most other people.

“Valentina, she’s my favourite. I look up to her, she’s amazing. I believe she’s the better martial artist and I think that would make the difference in the fight.”

Another big fight on the horizon in women’s MMA is Kayla Harrison v Amanda Nunes.

Two-weight champion Nunes will come out of retirement to fight new bantamweight champion Harrison.

“It would be interesting to see how Kayla Harrison deals with Amanda’s striking.

“That might be the big question. Kayla, her striking is getting better and better every time she gets in there. It will be interesting if Kayla can get her hands on Amanda.

Brazil forward Matheus Cunha said his “dream” had become a reality after completing a £62.5m move to Manchester United.

United activated a release clause in Cunha’s Wolves contract this month.

The deal, which was subject to a visa and a medical, has now been completed.

Cunha has signed a five-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months.

“Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother’s house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt.

“I want to thank my family and everyone who has helped me make that dream a reality.”

Cunha scored 31 goals in 76 games in all competitions for Wolves after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2023.

After United scored a record low of 44 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season, bolstering the attack was a clear priority for manager Ruben Amorim.

Although not a traditional centre-forward, Cunha scored 27 goals in 65 league games for Wolves in the past two seasons.

Winger Antony and striker Rasmus Hojlund have arrived at Old Trafford for big transfer fees in recent years and struggled to adapt to the Premier League.

Newcastle United, who will play in the Champions League next season, were interested in signing Cunha.

United will not play European football next season and it is more than three years since they last reached the Champions League knockout stages.

“United are lucky they still have their historic appeal and reputation as a club, so players of the Brazilian’s quality and potential want to move there,” former England midfielder Fara Williams told BBC Sport.

“There is no doubt he improves the squad.”

Cunha was the heartbeat of Wolves’ attacking threat in the past two seasons, scoring crucial goals, linking up play and unpicking defences with moments of brilliance.

“Cunha has everything a United team would want,” said Williams.

“You cannot question the qualities he possesses and the attitude he has in terms of wanting to do anything to win.”

After regularly playing as a number nine in his first full season at Wolves, Cunha developed into an attacking midfielder during his second year at Molineux.

Playing as a left-sided number 10 last term, Cunha often dropped deep to retrieve possession.

Former Wolves coach Edu Rubio said: “He needed some time to adapt to English football but now he is showing his true quality.

“Cunha can help United to get the ball up the pitch quicker with his great dribbling skills and his excellent driving runs which can break opposition lines so effectively.

“He is a top player with great technical ability. He can play as an eight, as a 10, second striker, striker – so he fits very well in Ruben’s 3-4-2-1 system.

“He also likes to gravitate to the flank and come inside to hurt the opposition by penetrating into the box with and without the ball.

“United will need to offer him some freedom at front, giving him the opportunity to rotate and exchange positions across the attacking lines.

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram praised the “effort” that went into his newly unveiled statue, despite it being mocked on social media.

The statue is situated outside the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad and depicts Akram in Pakistan’s 1999 World Cup kit, where they were runners-up.

It captures Akram in his slingy bowling action but his facial features and hair have drawn criticism online.

Some said it had more of a resemblance to actor Sylvester Stallone while another described it as “10% cement, 90% disappointment”.

But Akram responded on X with his thanks and appreciation for the sculptor’s effort.

“Lots of talk about my sculpture being erected at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad. Mine is definitely better than the tiger,” he posted, referencing another statue near his own.

“It’s the idea that matters. Credit to the creators, full marks for the effort and thanks to everyone involved.”

The stadium’s chief Shiraz Leghari added: “The artist did his best effort, but accepts it doesn’t resemble (Akram) a hundred per cent.”

Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor has received an offer to sell his stake in the club – which could clear the way for the Eagles to compete in the Europa League next season.

Woody Johnson, the owner of NFL franchise the New York Jets, wants to buy Textor’s stake in Palace, according to BBC Sport sources.

Crystal Palace have tried to convince Uefa that they should be allowed to participate in the competition, with a decision expected to come towards the end of the month.

Uefa rules forbid individuals from having control of more than one club in the same competition to avoid conflicts of interest.

Eagle Football – the multi-club group owned by Textor which includes a minority shareholding in Palace – has a majority stake in French side Lyon, who have also qualified for next season’s competition.

Palace are arguing that Textor – who has repeatedly tried to sell his stake with the club – does not have decisive control. Eagle Football holds a 43% stake in Palace.

Palace executives travelled to Switzerland last week for a meeting with Uefa to put their case forward.

If Textor does sell his Eagle Football shares, then that could clear the path for Palace to participate.

Johnson, 78, who has been to Selhurst Park last season, was a supporter of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

There were reports last year that he could step back from his role as chairman of the Jets to serve as an ambassador for President Trump, something he did during the Republican leader’s first term when Johnson served as ambassador to the United Kingdom.