Sergio Ramos pays tribute to Iker Casillas.

Real Madrid centre-back, Sergio Ramos has paid tribute to colleague, Iker Casillas who joins FC Porto next season. Ramos in a tweet posted yesterday also posted link to the video of some of the great times they shared together. The ace goalkeeper bade the club goodbye amid tears yesterday.‎ 

“10 years together and many, many shared moments. A great Captain, thank you, @CasillasWorld #GraciasIker.”

Ramos wrote.

Gerard makes his debut in a friendly

Steven Gerrard played his first game in the colors of LA Galaxy in a pre-season friendly against Club America. The ex-liverpool captain featured in the first half of the game which his team went on to win 2-1 courtesy goals from Robbie Keane and Alan Gordon.
Bruce Arena, manager of LA Galaxy, said the 35yr old’s performance was encouraging
“his passing was very good. His partnership with Juninho was good. He won some tackles, helped create some chances. He could have had a goal. Steven played well” he said.

Sterling set to move to Manchester City

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Manchester City over the transfer of Raheem Sterling.
The 20yr old who has long declared his interest to leave Liverpool will now undergo a medical and clear contract negotiations to complete the move worth £49Million. The deal (if successful) will make Raheem Sterling the second most expensive British player behind Gareth Bale who moved from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 for £83.5Million.

Sunshine stars maintain top spot, Warri Wolves sink Enyimba

Sunshine stars of Akure maintains their hold on the top spot with a convincing 2nil win over Bayelsa United. The Akure gunners kept their impressive unbeaten home record while also tightening their grip on the first position.

Enyimba on the other hand saw their title chase dented with a 2-1 defeat away at Warri Wolves. The defeat saw Enyimba moving down to the third position behind leaders, Sunshine Stars and Wikki Tourists who also claimed a 2-1 home victory against El-Kanemi Warriors.  
Warri Wolves will however be glad as this victory is their first in 4 games.

Elsewhere in Ibadan, shooting stars ran a riot and battered Giwa Fc 3nil. Gbenga Ogunbote continued his magic with the club despite last week’s loss to Fc Ifeanyi Ubah. Champions, Kano Pillars continued their disappointing run away at Akwa United where they suffered another 1nil defeat.
Other results from Match day 17 includes:
Nassarawa United 1 – 1 Fc Ifeanyi Ubah
Heartland 3 – 1 Dolphins
Kwara United 0 – 1 Sharks Fc
Abia Warriors 3 – 1 Fc Taraba
Rangers 3 – 1 Lobi Stars

"This is one of the hardest days of my life" – Casillas

Iker Casillas bid his boyhood club, Real Madrid, goodbye today in an emotion-laden press conference. The Spaniard who spent 25years at the club, making 725 appearances and winning 17 major honours read a prepared statement to pressmen amid tears and incessant pauses. Casillas was not accompanied by any club official as he went through the conference alone.
In his statement, he thanked the fans, club and his family while also reflecting on his Odyssey with the club.

“First of all, thanks to everyone for coming here and for supporting me at this special time. I have come to this great stadium to say goodbye to everyone, and especially to all the Madridistas. Since yesterday I am no longer a Real Madrid player and I will now go to FC Porto. My decision to go to FC Porto was based on two factors — the enthusiasm that their club president, coach — who I know well — and the staff have transmitted to me.

“Secondly, the affection that I have received when people found out that my destination would be Portugal. I will do all I can not to let them down and I will try to win as many titles as possible with them. Thank you, FC Porto, for trusting me. After 25 years defending the emblem of the biggest club in the world, this is one of the hardest days of my life,” he said. “It feels like it was only yesterday when at the age of nine I wore for the first time Real’s jersey and my dream came true.
“During this time we have enjoyed ourselves, shed tears, happiness, laughter, I have felt loved. This club has not only taught me to be a sportsmen but also taught me human values, being, those of respect, camaraderie and humility.

“I have always tried to show all of them wherever I went. I want to acknowledge all of my former and current teammates — I leave a lot of friends behind me and I know that I will be always be able to count on them. I want to thank all of my coaches throughout my career, all of them. I have learned a lot from all of them. All my love to my family, who made sacrifices for me to pursue this hard but rewarding career,” Casillas said. “Also to my wife and my child, because they will always be there next to me.”

At 23, David Alaba may become the best footballer with Nigerian blood. 

Many would remember on the night of May 25, 2013 when Bayern Munich lifted their fifth UEFA Champions League title, Nigeria was represented when David Olatokunbo Alaba of Bayern Munich carried the Nigerian flag in the post-match ceremony, along with those of Austria and The Philippines.
The Champions League title holder was born in Vienna to Gina and George Alaba and has one younger sister. His mother emigrated from the Philippines to work as a nurse in Austria while his father, a popular DJ and rapper in Austria, is a prince from Ogere, Ogun State in Nigeria. 
Unfortunately for the Philippines and Nigeria, Alaba has already chosen to play for his birth country Austria, after going through the Under-17 and Under-20 youth system. Alaba represented Austria for the first time in 2009 at 17-years-old, making him the youngest player to ever represent Austria.
The 23-year-old has gone on to play in a number of positions including central midfield, right and left wing but has since blossomed more as a left-back. 
He has won many titles with his German club and individual awards like the 2011 and 2012 Austrian footballer of the year, while still a teenager, and has made more than 40-appearances with his national side. 
Alaba is one of the best young talents in Europe and is managed by his Nigerian father.

7 things you should know about Nigeria-born American singer, Jidenna 

Jidenna may come across as calm, cool and collected on his single, “Classic Man” but in a recent interview with VLADTV, Janelle Monae’s protégé shocked many Nigerians when he revealed that his appearance made him bring-in a lot of AK47s and employed military commandos when he came to Nigeria to bury his father for fear of being kidnapped.
When asked to speak about the challenges of skin color in Nigeria. He recalls how his family brought weapons and military-style protection when attending his father’s funeral in an Igbo village.
“The fact that you have African blood in you is gonna make it hard. When you’re light-skinned, you’re a heavier target for being kidnapped because you’re seen as more valuable. You’re seen as white. You have more money. We were robbed – our family’s been assaulted. We’ve had a lot of issues.”
The Classic Man’s views resulted in a lot of backlash from social media with commenters saying his thoughts are “ignorant” and that they paint a negative light on Nigerian people:
“The one time they ask Jidenna about Nigeria he gives it a negative light… Odiegwu.”
But can you really say someone’s own memories and feelings about something they’ve actually experienced are wrong?
Sadly, Jidenna is not as popular in Nigeria as he is in America and very little is known about him. 
Here are 7 facts about the ‘Classic man’ singer… 
1)  He was born Jidenna Theodore Mobisson in Winsconsin, America. 
2) His mum, Tama Mobisson is an America-born Accountant while his dad, Oliver Mobisson is a Nigerian and one-time Professor of Computer Science at Enugu State University. 
3) Jidenna’s name in Igbo Language means to ’embrace the father’ 
4) He is the youngest of four siblings. 
5) He graduated from Stanford Univeristy in 2008 with a BA in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity.
6) Jidenna is a founding member of Fear and Fancy, a social club that began in California in 2006. 
7) He released his first ever single ‘Classic Man’ in February 2015….

Raheem Sterling Not Traveling with Liverpool to Asia

Following Raheem Sterling’s inclusion in the squad that would travel for the pre-season tour of Asia, Press Association has reported that the lad will not be travelling with the team.
This is believed to have been informed by the ongoing transfer talks with Manchester City over Raheem’s imminent departure to the club.
Raheem Sterling missed training on Wednesday and Thursday citing illness and has received several criticism over an alleged ‘unprofessional attitude’.

Schweinsteiger off to United, Casillas says goodbye and other transfer news

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sing Bayern Munich’s midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger. The hugely-experienced 30yr old reportedly told Bayern he does not want to extend his contract and sought to face new challenge in a new league. Schweinsteiger made his debut for Bayern in 2002 and went on to make 536appearances with major titles like The Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Pokal to his name.

Iker Casillas will be saying goodbye to his boyhood club, Real Madrid, after 25 years as Porto have agreed a deal to sign the goalie. Casillas who has been in the middle of several controversy since he was dropped from the first team by Mourinho in 2012 joined Real Youth Academy in 1990, made his debut in 1999 and won 17 major honors with the club.

World Cup winner and two-time FIFA player of the year, Ronaldinho has signed with Brazilian side, Fluminense.  The player confirmed the move on his Twitter page.  He will be earning 600,000reals ($190,000) plus bonus from Jersey sales and other club products.  Ronaldinho ascribed the rational behind the move to his quest to win the Brazilian league.

Former Manchester city striker, John Guidetti has joined Celta Vigo on a fiver year deal for free. 
The Swedish striker who spent last season on loan at Celtic making 35appearances and scoring 15goals is expected to blossom at the Spanish club.

Manchester United have completed the signing of Italian defender, Matteo Darmian from Torino. 
The 25year old passed his medical and was awarded a four year contract which cost £12.9Million.
He becomes United’s second signing after the arrival of Memphis Dephay from PSV.

Three games to look out for in NPFL match day 17

The Nigeria Professional League enters match day 17 amid flurry of excitement, expectations and hype. This season is shaping out to be one of the best in recent time following the rise in away victories, improvement in officiating and intriguing games.
The race for the title is gradually taking shape and the pretenders are being separated from the contenders with every passing game. In view of this, here are top three games to look out for in match day 17 fixtures scheduled to kick off later today.
WARRI WOLVES VS ENYIMBA FC

Enyimba will look to maintain its unbeaten run and position on the log as they travel to Warri to face a familiar foe in Warri Wolves. The Aba-elephants are tied on point with leaders of the log, Sunshine Stars, and will fancy getting maximum points while hoping that Sunshine falters and they move up to first position. Enyimba have been very consistent both home and away with their defenders do a good job of keeping cleaning sheets while their forwards also do the business in front of goal.
Warri Wolves will also look to get back to winning ways as they are yet to pick a victory in three games. The game might turn out to be the turning point for Warri Wolves or Enyimba’s ascension to the top of the log.
SHOOTING STARS VS GIWA FC

Jos based side, Giwa Fc are turning out to be one of the dark horses of the league this season as they have put out decent performances which leaves them fourth on the log with just two points behind leaders, sunshine stars. They are yet to lose in four games since the 4-1 defeat they suffered in the hands of Kano Pillars last month. They will be travelling to Ibadan with the mindset of getting maximum point in a bid to possibly go top of the log should Enyimba, Sunshine stars and Wikki Tourist all slip.
Ibadan, however, won’t be an easy place to pick maximum points as it has been transformed into a fortress under coach Gbenga Ogunbote of shooting stars.
Ogunbote have remoulded the team into a formidable one and went on rampage with victories and draws before Ifeanyi Ubah gave him the bitter taste of defeat.
The game will definitely be filled with plenty of goals and high points as both teams have a point (or two) to prove.
SUNSHINE STARS VS BAYELSEA UNITED
Leaders of the log, Sunshine Stars will hope to tighten their grip on the first position and possibly create a good margin between them and the likes of Enyimba, Wikki and Giwa Fc in this game against Bayelsa United. The Akure gunners are on an imperious form at home as they are yet to drop any point. Bayelsa United on the other hand will also look to further distance itself from the relegation zone after rising three points above it with a victory against Warri Wolves last week.
The game will test the resolve of Sunshine stars to remain top of the log and Bayelsa United’s commitment to leave the relegation zone.
Other fixtures includes:
Wikki Tourists Vs El Kanemi Warriors
Heartland Vs Dolphins
Nassarawa United Vs Fc Ifeanyi Ubah
Kwara United Vs Sharks
Abia Warriors Vs Taraba Fc
Rangers Fc Vs Lobi Stars
Akwa United Vs Kano Pillars

Akwa United Vs kano Pillars will be shown live on Super Sport 9 and Super Sport Select by 4pm.
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