Players
Julian Weigl leaves Borussia Dortmund for Benfica
Benfica have completed the €20 million signing of Julian Weigl from Borussia Dortmund on a four-and-a-half-year contract. The Portuguese side have put a €100 million release clause in his contract. The two clubs confirmed a fee had been agreed on December 31, with the deal now complete following Benfica’s announcement to Portugal’s Securities Market Commission.
Weigl, 24, joined Dortmund from 1860 Munich in 2015 and initially settled well, spending most of his first three seasons in the starting line-up. He fell somewhat out of favour last season and, although he started 12 of Dortmund’s 17 Bundesliga games this term, sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed Weigl asked to leave.
❤⚪ Welcome to your new home, @JuWeigl!#WeAreBenfica pic.twitter.com/cARIvOFBBi
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) January 2, 2020
Former Chelsea flop Marko Marin moves to Al Ahli
Former Werder Bremen and Chelsea winger Marko Marin has completed a transfer to Saudi Professional League club Al Ahli. The 30-year-old German attacker has been with Serbian SuperLiga outfit Red Star Belgrade since 2018 and scored 11 goals in 56 appearances for the club including finding the back of the net twice in the UEFA Champions League.
“Al Ahli board led by president Ahmad Al-Sayegh reached an agreement with the German attacking midfielder Marin will complete his transfer from Red Star Belgrade and sign his contract with Al-Ahli after passing his medical,” the Saudi club posted on Twitter. Not much later, Al Ahli confirmed that Marin had passed his medical examination and become a new Lion.
A new LION joins the team ??#WelcomeMarko pic.twitter.com/G1oCkTK9MH
— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) January 5, 2020
Henry Onyekuru returns to Galatasaray from Monaco
Monaco’s exciting young Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru is to spend the rest of the season on loan at Galatasaray once again, the Ligue 1 club announced. It will be the 22-year-old’s second loan spell in Turkey as he shone for Galatasaray last season when he was still at English club Everton. He scored 14 goals in 35 appearances for Galatasaray who went on to win the Turkish championship.
Monaco, who signed the Nigerian for 17 million euros during the summer, have not included an option to buy clause in the loan, suggesting that Onyekuru remains a part of their long-term strategy.
? Henry Onyekuru, sponsor hastanemiz Medical Park’ta saÄźlık kontrolĂĽnden geçti. âś… pic.twitter.com/1KPqxBA0CG
— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) January 5, 2020
Ali Al Habsi Retires from international duty
Ali Al Habsi, the Omani goalkeeping legend who made a name for himself as the first Arab player from the GCC countries to play in the Premier League, has announced his retirement from international football, aged 38. A statement from the current West Bromwich Albion goalie said: “After years of my country honouring me in the form of serving the national team, both within and outside, I announce today the end of my international career with the national team.
He added: “At this moment, I extend my sincere thanks and deep appreciation to my Majesty, His Majesty the Sultan, may God protect him, and my great gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout my sporting career. Your brother, Ali Al Habsi.”
His career in England was followed by a move to Saudi Arabia, where he joined Al Hilal, before returning to England last August to play for West Brom. He was part of the Oman team that won their first ever Gulf Cup in 2009, beating Saudi Arabia on penalties.
After years in which I had the honor of serving national teams, today I announce the end of my international career.
I extend my sincere thanks and deep appreciation to HM the https://t.co/zWKyISXFg8 great gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout my sporting career.❤️?? pic.twitter.com/kMSqau03Kg— Ali Al-Habsi (@AliAlhabsi) January 5, 2020
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