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Aston Villa have announced the signing of former West Brom midfielder Finley Thorndike.

The Lowdown: Thorndike profiled

Thorndike is 19 years of age and left the Baggies back in July. Primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play as a left winger, he has been training with Villa after becoming a free agent.

The youngster is represented by ICM Stellar Sports – the same agency as Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Jed Steer.

He has been described as a ‘creative’ midfielder by academy manager Mark Harrison and has now penned terms at Bodymoor Heath.

The Latest: Villa deal

Villa announced on Friday that Thorndike has signed a contract with the club after performing well for the under-23s.

The attacking midfielder has played four times for the under-23s, both in Premier League 2 and the Papa John’s Trophy.

The Verdict: Latest West Brom recruit

Thorndike becomes the third youth player to have signed for Villa after leaving West Brom in a matter of months.

He has joined Tim Iroegbunam and Finn Azaz in swapping the Baggies for the Villans, and hopefully over time West Brom’s loss will be Villa’s gain.

The club have recently shipped out a number of their youngsters on loan to gain first team experience, so it’s good to see the likes of new signings Thorndike, Iroegbunam and Caleb Chukwuemeka coming in over the summer.

In other news: Gregg Evans claims that Johan Lange wants Dean Smith to give £48k-p/w man a chance at Villa Park. 

Celtic are no strangers to player departures, especially when it involves their star players.

You only need to cast your mind back a few weeks ago when the deadline closed with the Hoops losing three of their key men.

Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie all headed to England as they became the latest in a long list of names to move south of the border after shining in Glasgow.

However, the Premier League and Championship isn’t the only league that’s come calling in recent years.

MLS has also become a home for a few of Celtic’s former players. Patryk Klimala joined New York Red Bulls in January, joining Lewis Morgan in the United States.

Morgan only featured on 31 occasions for the Hoops in a two-year spell after being signed by Brendan Rodgers from St Mirren.

The tricky winger scored two goals during his stay at Parkhead but never really saw his career take off.

However, at the age of 24, the Scot is showing what they’re missing and is staking a claim for a regular berth in Steve Clarke’s national side.

The USA is often seen as a retirement home for some of the greats of the game but that notion has changed in recent years with many clubs actually exploiting the MLS to prise young talent away.

Based on Morgan’s rise over the last two years, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we saw him back in the United Kingdom before too long.

He moved stateside in a deal worth just £360k but such were his good performances that he is now valued at £3.6m via Transfermarkt. That’s a meteoric elevation of 900% in transfer estimation.

But why has that happened? Well, the £6k-per-week earner has emerged as a key player at David Beckham’s team, Inter Miami.

Coached by Phil Neville, he won the club’s MVP for 2020 after finishing as their top scorer on five goals. He was also a creative marvel for the Herons.

Morgan featured in every match last term, topping the MLS charts for big chances created on 14. The forward was also second for total chances created (65) and expected assists (7.93).

What’s most appealing about the forward’s style of play is his ability to play with both feet. That quality was discussed by Miami themselves: “It’s also important to note a very unique trait in Morgan’s skill set as he’s ambidextrous, meaning that he’s able to hit the ball with both feet.

“It is common to find players who control and pass the ball, but it’s rare to witness a player who can take set-pieces and whip in crosses comfortably with both feet.”

Hailed by Rodgers as a “dynamic” player during his time at Parkhead, it’s evident Celtic let a vastly talented player slip through their ranks here.

How they could do with his chance creation right now.

AND in other news, Desmond could land dream McKay successor at Celtic in “respected” 58 y/o CEO…

Heavy rain forced the abandonment of the fourth ODI between New Zealand and West Indies in Auckland

The Bulletin by Peter Burdon09-Jan-2009Match abandoned
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Martin Guptill’s 122 not out was the highest score by a New Zealand batsman on debut © Getty Images
Rain forced the fourth match between New Zealand and West Indies in Auckland to be abandoned after Martin Guptill created history by becoming the first New Zealand batsman to score a century on ODI debut. Guptill’s unbeaten 122 was also the second highest score by a debutant and he led New Zealand to 275 for 4.The game was well poised when a second rain interruption ended the match. West Indies had reached 64 without loss after 10.3 overs with Chris Gayle in control. He had hit a four and a six off consecutive balls moments before the second shower, and finished with 46 off 37 balls, including three sixes.It was Guptill, however, who stole the show. He opened with Brendon McCullum and the pair did well to negotiate a new ball that was swinging a long way because of the overhead conditions. Daren Powell and Fidel Edwards were unlucky not to pick up early wickets, particularly that of Guptill, who was dropped three times before he reached 30. The first was a simple edge through to Denesh Ramdin off Powell when Guptill was on 15.Guptill lost his opening partner McCullum, caught behind off Lionel Baker, in the 15th over for 26 with the total on 68. Matthew Sinclair soon became Baker’s second victim. Baker bowled his 10 overs in one spell and helped restrict New Zealand’s run-rate to less than four at the 25 over mark. He finished with 2 for 29 and was ably supported by Brendon Nash, whose 10 overs went for 43 runs after the first five cost only 13.After Sinclair’s dismissal, Ross Taylor joined Guptill and the pair added 144 for the third wicket. Taylor was the more aggressive of the two, but Guptill looked like an experienced international after a few early jitters. By the time Taylor fell for 75 off 87 deliveries, Guptill was in total control. He played some delightful cover drives and showed his class by placing the ball into gaps.After the loss of Daniel Flynn in the 45th over, Guptill was joined by fellow debutant Neil Broom. From ball one, Broom showed his ability to score quickly, making an impressive 24 from 17 deliveries, including two sixes. Guptill also hit two sixes along with eight fours but his ability to pick up ones and twos at will was more impressive and something his team-mates could learn from.When the rain came for the first time, the match was delicately poised, and West Indies needed 235 from 40 overs after the resumption. Tim Southee may have been the most relieved player when the game was abandoned. He had bowled three balls and Gayle had already hit him to and over the boundary. Kyle Mills had the figures of 30 for 0 in five overs and Mark Gillespie went for 23 off his five.The series is now set up for a decider in Napier on Tuesday.

Crystal Palace confirmed seven new squad numbers ahead of the new season on Thursday.

One of which involved Eberechi Eze, and a number of Eagles supporters shared their positive thoughts about the change on the back of his shirt on social media.

Eze, who remains sidelined after rupturing his Achilles back in May, wore the number 25 shirt last season.

However, after Andros Townsend’s deal expired earlier in the summer, the club have now confirmed that the £37,000-a-week ace will inherit his number ten jersey.

There are also new numbers for Tyrick Mitchell (three) and Vicente Guaita (13), whereas new signings Marc Guehi (six), Michael Olise (seven), Joachim Andersen (16) and Conor Gallagher (23) were also assigned numbers.

However, it was Eze’s switch that got plenty of Palace fans talking on Thursday.

Palace fans react

The club posted the news on all seven players on their official Twitter page. This is what these Eagles supporters had to say regarding Eze’s change in number.

“AHHHHH EZE 10″Credit: @SWPalace”EZE 10 yesssss”Credit: @WestgateElliot”Eze 10. Glorious.”Credit: @ohjoewalker”Eze10 we moveee”Credit: @cpfcbailey”YESSSS EZE 10″Credit: @KB_EAGLES”Best number 10 in the league”Credit: @20SterlingDual

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Oh boy’ – Lots of Palace fans go wild as ‘massive’ news is confirmed. 

The women’s Challenger Series kicks off just a few weeks before India’s tour to Australia

Nishi Narayanan01-Oct-2008
A strong performance in the Challenger Series could help Anjum Chopra make a comeback to the national squad © AFP
The second women’s Challenger Series gets underway in Ahmedabad on Thursday and the timing couldn’t be better since India will be heading to Australia later in the month for five ODIs and one Twenty20.The 39 players, divided into India Senior, India A and India B squads, will get a chance to impress the new selection committee, headed by former Indian batsman Sandhya Agarwal, before the tour. And with two World Cups – one in Australia – in the next nine months, the selectors will be keen to have a look at the available talent collected under one roof.The players for whom the Challenger Series is crucial can be categorised into two groups: seniors trying to make comebacks, like Anjum Chopra, Preeti Dimri, Karuna Jain and Nooshin Al Khadeer; and younger players hoping to fix their place in the side, like Niranjana Nagarajan, Gouher Sultana and Snehal Pradhan.After India’s 4-0 defeat in the ODI series in England, Mithali Raj had said the lack of experience may have been one of the reasons for the team’s dismal show. If the new selectors feel the same way, then Chopra and Co. must string together a series of performances in the Challengers that are hard to ignore. However India’s fielding has been a cause for concern for a while now and the selectors may pick younger players as a solution.Five players to watch out for:Niranjana Nagarajan: She made her debut in England last month as a replacement for the injured Rumeli Dhar. Nagarajan took only one wicket in two matches but the hard Australian pitches will favour faster bowling so a half-decent Challenger Series could get her picked for her second overseas tour in three months.
Gouher Sultana: Anju Jain, the former head of the selection committee, backed the 20-year old left-arm spinner saying she could soon be an integral part of the Indian squad. Sultana had a successful Asia Cup – taking six wickets from five matches – but struggled in unfavourable English conditions. The Challenger Series, played on a spin-friendly surface, will help restore her confidence and, if she is among the wickets, the selectors could pick her as the starting spinner for Australia.Nooshin Al Khadeer: Another left-arm spinner, who will be competing with Sultana for a place in the squad. Nooshin was overlooked for the Asia Cup and the England tour and is eager to prove herself ahead of the Australia series. She needs four wickets to become the third Indian woman to cross 100 wickets in ODIs.Anjum Chopra: Like Nooshin, Chopra’s last international series was the Quadrangulars in February-March 2007. But India’s miserable performance in England may urge the selectors to recall her for the tour to Australia, where she averages 33.33 from three games, based on how she does in the Challengers.Asha Rawat: Judging by her three half-centuries in the Asia Cup, Rawat should score heavily on the slow Ahmedabad pitch and get her first tour of Australia.

The first four-day Test between South Africa A and Sri Lanka A ended in a dull draw

Cricinfo staff01-Sep-2008
ScorecardThe first four-day Test between South Africa A and Sri Lanka A ended in a bat-dominated draw after both sides plundered the bowlers mercilessly at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. There were four half-centuries and eight centuries in all while the bowlers managed to take only 16 wickets over four days.The final day began with Sri Lanka A on 640 for 5, having overhauled South Africa A’s first-innings total of 459, with Kaushal Silva batting on 53 and Dilruwan Perera on 1. The pair scored at a rapid pace, with the aim of having time to try and bowled out South Africa again, and added 109 runs in 16 overs. Perera scored 59 off 54 balls and Silva ended with 103 off 134 as Sri Lanka declared their innings on 749 for 5 with a lead of 290.Their hopes of shaking South Africa with early wickets vanished as the openers Heino Kuhn and Andrew Puttick got stuck in. Both had failed in the first innings but they made up by scoring hundreds second time around. Kuhn scored 100 off 143 balls before he was caught behind by Silva off Perera after an opening stand of 183. Puttick scored 102 and shared a partnership of 66 with Alviro Peterson before the match came to an end with South Africa A on 249 for 1.

Boyd Rankin will play for Ireland for the first time since the World Cup after being named in the squad to face Kenya

Cricinfo staff19-Aug-2008Boyd Rankin will play for Ireland for the first time since the World Cup after being named in the squad to face Kenya. Rankin, who is now with Warwickshire, is available for the first two games of the three-match series.He has had an injury-hit season and only made his Warwickshire debut last week, taking four wickets against Essex in the County Championship.Captain William Porterfield and Gary Wilson have been released by their counties – Gloucestershire and Surrey respectively – for all of the games, but Niall O’Brien is only there for the first before returning to Northamptonshire, while Eoin Morgan misses all three.The matches will be played at Stormont, on August 24, 25, and 27.Squad William Porterfield (capt), Andre Botha, Peter Connell, Alex Cusack, Gary Kidd, Kyle McCallan, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Andrew Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Reinhardt Strydom, Andrew White, Gary Wilson

Celtic are enduring a horrendous start to the season with life under Ange Postecoglou commencing in the worst way possible.

The primary issues surrounding last term still linger at Parkhead with the Hoops suffering back to back defeats domestically and in Europe.

Celtic are conceding goals regularly but they are yet to really hit the ground running from an offensive point of view.

Odsonne Edouard has played in three matches but rather uncharacteristically, hasn’t found the back of the net yet.

The Frenchman has been linked with an exit throughout the summer and came close to joining Leicester before they pulled the plug and signed Patson Daka instead. A potential move to Brighton could occur and if he does move away, a replacement will be required.

An audacious swoop for ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been mooted with Celtic reportedly approaching the Spain international over his services.

It’s may seem like an incredibly far-fetched transfer but if it does happen, it would be a remarkable piece of business from Postecoglou.

That’s because Costa is one of the most eye-catching attacking players of the last decade. He is a bullish forward who is capable of destroying defenders not only with his technical abilities but also with his stubborn temperament.

Ex-Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers once lamented the striker for his nasty side when in charge of Liverpool: “He [Costa] is an outstanding player – he obviously has this edge to him. We see the TV incidents, the two that he had. The one with Emre Can, that was poor, I felt. He could easily hurdle over the young player but he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could have been nasty.”

Rodgers added: “And the one with Martin Skrtel – again, there’s no need to do it. That’s the sad thing. He’s a top-class player and he’s clever enough that the officials don’t see it. But it’s poor by him because he’s an outstanding player and he doesn’t need to do it.”

In that sense, the Bhoys could find their own version of Alfredo Morelos. Both of them are players with a mean streak to their game but they are very much capable of finding the net regularly.

Dubbed an “animal” by Jose Mourinho, the 32-year-old has been named in the La Liga and Premier League Team of the Year due to his phenomenal goal-scoring instincts.

He bagged 58 in 120 outings for Chelsea and has netted 83 in 216 outings for Atletico Madrid.

Now a free agent, it would suit Celtic if they didn’t have to pay a fee for Costa. His wages could presumably be out of Celtic’s reach but that shouldn’t stop Postecoglou from doing everything he can to convince him to join and seeing if he fancies taking a pay-cut to move to Glasgow.

Costa is a proven elite striker who could light up Parkhead.

AND in other news, Ange can finally axe Celtic’s “walking joke” by signing “very dominant” 6ft3 colossus…

West Bromwich Albion will not be bringing Harry Wilson to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Goal, who claim that Valerien Ismael’s side are no longer in the race for the Liverpool winger, with the Premier League club’s £15m asking price believed to be well out of Albion’s price range, while the Reds are also thought to be unwilling to allow the 24-year-old to leave on a loan deal.

The report continues by stating that West Brom’s likely promotion rivals Fulham now are leading the race for the Wales international, with personal terms between the two parties not thought to be an issue, although it remains to be seen whether Marco Silva’s side will meet Liverpool’s asking price with an offer.

Fans surely gutted

With it very much appearing as if West Brom winger Matheus Pereira will be leaving The Hawthorns this summer, having been linked with the likes of West Ham United, Norwich City, Leeds United and Leicester City in recent weeks, in addition to the fact that Wilson himself has proven a fantastic player in the Championship, the news that the Baggies are out of the race for the winger is sure to have left fans gutted.

Indeed, the 24-year-old highly impressed during his most recent loan spell at Cardiff City, with the £15.3m-rated man scoring seven goals, registering 11 assists and creating 11 big chances over his 37 Championship appearances for the Bluebirds last season.

These returns saw the man Klopp dubbed a “world-class” striker of the ball earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.20, ranking him as Cardiff’s second-best player in the second tier of English football.

The £41k-per-week forward has also impressed during spells at both Hull City and Derby County in the past, scoring seven goals and providing four assists and bagging 16 goals and registering four assists for the Tigers and the Rams respectively.

As such, should Pereira indeed go on to secure a move away from Albion this summer, Wilson would have very much appeared to be a decent replacement for the Brazilian – who scored 11 goals and registered six assists in the Premier League last season.

However, with Fulham looking the most likely club to land the Welshman ahead of next season, not only will Ismael fail to benefit from the 24-year-old’s undoubted talent, it would appear as if one of the club’s main Championship rivals will – an eventuality that is sure to leave all involved with the Baggies incredibly frustrated.

AND in other news, West Brom dealt knockout blow on “excellent” £20k-p/w gem, it’s an opportunity missed…

اختتم فريق الأهلي اليوم الثلاثاء، تدريباته الجماعية، استعداداً لمباراة البنك الأهلي، المقرر إقامتها في منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز.

الأهلي يواجه البنك الأهلي، على ملعب المقاولون العرب، مساء غد الأربعاء ضمن مواجهات الجولة التاسعة عشر من منافسات بطولة الدوري.

وكان مران الأهلي قد بدا بمحاضرة بالفيديو مع اللاعبين تحدث فيها الجهاز الفني بقيادة موسيماني في الجوانب الفنية والخططية الخاصة بمباراة البنك الأهلي.

وعقب انتهاء المحاضرة خاض الفريق فقرة إحماء تحت إشراف مخطط الأحمال قبل تنفيذ الجوانب الفنية في تدريبات الكرة.

كما واصل الثنائي عمرو السولية وأكرم توفيق لاعبا الفريق برنامجهما التأهيلي على ملعب التتش تحت إشراف الجهاز الطبي بالنادي قبل انطلاق مران الفريق الجماعي، حيث قام اللاعبان بالجري حول الملعب وتنفيذ بعض الفقرات التأهيلية.

طالع | الأهلي يُعلن غياب ثلاثي الفريق أمام البنك الأهلي للإصابة

ومن المقرر أن يدخل الأهلي معسكرًا اليوم في أحد الفنادق استعدادًا لمباراة البنك الأهلي.

ويحتل الأهلي المركز الثالث في ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز، برصيد 33 نقطة.