Sports

Chelsea Sign 19-year-old Southampton Midfielder, Lavia

Published

1 month ago

August 18, 2023

Editor

Chelsea have completed the signing of 19-year-old Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia in a deal worth £58m

According to the club statement, Lavia signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and further strengthens Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. The deal is worth an initial £53m plus £5m in add-ons.

Chelsea fans are excited about the prospect of Lavia, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo forming the team’s midfield this season. They have given them the nickname ‘LFC midfield’ in reference to Liverpool’s unsuccessful attempts to sign Lavia and Caicedo.

On completing his move to Chelsea, Lavia said: “I’m really happy to join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project. It’s an amazing football club with a great history and I’m really excited to get started.

“I can’t wait to meet all my new teammates and build chemistry together to achieve great things together.”

Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: “We are very pleased to welcome Romeo to Chelsea. He demonstrated his quality in the Premier League last season at Southampton, showing maturity despite his young age, and is a player we have monitored for some time.

“We believe he is ready to make an impact at Chelsea throughout the current campaign, and in the coming years.”

As confirmed by the club, he will wear the number 45 for Chelsea this season.

Lavia started his career with Anderlecht in his native Belgium and spent eight years with the club before joining Manchester City at the age of 16.

He impressed the club’s Under-18s and Elite Development Squad and made his senior debut in September 2021. Lavia started in the EFL Cup against Wycombe Wanderers and helped his side to a 6-1 win.

Lavia made one further first-team appearance for City before completing a switch to Southampton last summer.

In a campaign that ended in relegation for the Saints, Lavia made 34 appearances. He caught the eye with several impressive performances, including in a surprise Southampton victory at Stamford Bridge in February.

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Sports

Israel Adesanya Faces Three Months Jail Term

Published

2 hours ago

September 25, 2023

Editor

Former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has pleaded guilty to drunk-driving charges in his home country of New Zealand.

The incident took place on August 19, when Adesanya was pulled over and found with 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood in his system. The legal limit in New Zealand is 50 milligrams.

Adesanya was returning from dinner with friends when he ‘encountered a Random Breath Testing unit’ in Auckland, his team told ESPN.

He could face up to a $2,680 fine and/or three months in jail, according to ESPN.

‘I want to apologize to the community, my family and my team for the decision I made to get behind the wheel after drinking at a dinner,’ Adesanya said in a statement provided to ESPN.

‘I am disappointed with my decision to drive, it was wrong. I know that people might follow me and I want them to know I do not think this behavior is acceptable.’

Kanye West and Bianca Censori cause a frenzy in Florence as rapper directs his wife to pose in front of excited locals (photos)

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Sports

Osimhen Misses Penalty In Napoli’s Goalless Draw With Bologna

Published

24 hours ago

September 24, 2023

Editor

Napoli’s underwhelming start to the season persisted after a missed penalty by Victor Osimhen condemned the Serie A champions to a 0-0 draw at Bologna on Sunday.

The Nigerian striker fired his penalty wide of the target in the 72nd minute after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s deflected cross had struck the arm of substitute Riccardo Calafiori.

After a run of two wins, a defeat and two draws, the champions are languishing in seventh place in the standings and trail leaders Inter Milan by seven points. Bologna are 11th with six points.

Napoli manager Rudi Garcia tried to remain positive despite the result.

“The negative element is the result, but the performance was good, especially in the first half,” he told newsmen.

“We had some tactics that worked but are not entirely happy because there is no victory.”

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Sports

NYG: Ekiti Governor Recalls Sports Council Boss Over Athletes’ Poor Kitting

Published

1 day ago

September 24, 2023

Editor

Ekiti Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has recalled the General Manager of Ekiti State Sports Council, Adekunle Adeyemi, from the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta, over the athletes’ poor kitting.

Adeyemi’s recall was announced on Sunday through a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun in Ado Ekiti.

The statement directed the GM to immediately account for the poor kitting of the state’s athletes at the opening session of the competition.

It described the development as unfortunate, adding that the state will take full responsibility of the regrettable incident.

“The directive followed the shabby appearance of the state contingent at the march-past event during the opening ceremony of the National Youths Games.

“Adeyemi is expected to explain circumstances leading to the shabby kitting of the state athletes at the opening session, which photograph is circulating online.

“He was directed to hand over to the next most senior official at the games and return home immediately.

“The official who will act as head of the delegation is to oversee the welfare and wellbeing of the athletes at the competition,” the statement read.

The commissioner said that the state government made adequate provisions for the team’s participation at the games.

He restated the commitment of Oyebanji administration to providing platforms for Ekiti youths to exhibit their God-given talents in line with its youth development and job creation agenda.

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