Category: Sport News

Official: Jonathan Morsay departs AEL Limassol
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Official: Jonathan Morsay departs AEL Limassol

Sierra Leonean attacker Jonathan Morsay has officially left the Cypriot sports club AEL Limassol by mutual consent.

He joined AEL Limassol FC on a free transfer on 7 July 2023. Morsay scored his first goal for the team in the first game of the Cypriot First Division on 21 August 2023 against Doxa Katokopias FC, contributing to the team’s victory.

“Special thanks to Jonathan Morsay who, despite being under contract for next year, agreed to leave our team without any financial demands and receiving only the current season’s accruals,” the club announced.

The Swedish-born player participated in 22 games for the Cypriot side and scored three goals as they finished ninth.

They finished ninth in the Cypriot First Division last season and recently replaced former Cyprus international Alexandros Garpozis as the manager.

Morsay, born to a Sierra Leonean father and a Swedish mother, was a youth international for Sweden. He is now a free agent.

He made his debut for the Sierra Leone national team in a friendly, a 3–0 loss to Togo on 24 March 2022, and has been a regular since then.

Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh joins Brighton from Newcastle
by FSL News

Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh joins Brighton from Newcastle

Brighton has made an exciting acquisition by signing Yankuba Minteh, a talented winger from Gambia, from Newcastle United for a whopping £30m. He has been signed on a contract until June 2029.

“Now, we will give him the time and support he needs to ensure that he settles in,“ Brighton noted on their website.

Yankuba made the move from Gambia to Europe in 2022, when he joined Danish side Odense BK. Brighton’s technical director, David Weir, expressed his delight in welcoming the young talent to the club.

Minteh has three goals in seven appearances for Gambia. Newcastle extended its best wishes to Yankuba for the future.

Minteh received his first call-up to the Gambia national team on November 4, 2022, and scored his first international goal in a match against Congo.

He also played in the 2023 AFCON and scored his second and third international goals in matches against Seychelles and Gabon, respectively.

Issa Kallon scores winner as Nantong Zhiyun beat Three Towns
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Issa Kallon scores winner as Nantong Zhiyun beat Three Towns

Issa Kallon scored the winning goal as Nantong Zhiyun secured a 2-1 victory over Three Towns in the 17th round of the Chinese Super League at Wuhan Stadium on Saturday.

Izuchukwu Jude Anthony scored the opening goal in the 11th minute, but Kallon secured an 87th-minute winner. Although the visitors pulled one back through Pedro, it was too late for a comeback.

Nantong Zhiyun FC has had a lacklustre season, but this win might ignite their season as they move out of the relegation zone.

It was Kallon’s third season since joining the Chinese Super League club on 9 February 2024 from fellow Chinese Super League club Nantong Zhiyun.

Nantong Zhiyun were stunned by Tianjin Teda in their recent match to play out a 1-1 draw, thwarting their chances of recording their third win of the season.

In that match, they took the lead through Yongtao Lu’s goal in the 45th minute, only to squander their lead in the game’s dying minutes.

Before today, their team had not won in their last eight league matches (L5, D3). They came into this game after losing their previous two matches, with 5-2 defeats against Zhejiang Professional FC and Beijing Guoan FC.

Chelsea has confirmed that Morocco International Hakim Ziyech has completed a permanent transfer to Galatasaray.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech completes Galatasaray’s permanent move

Chelsea has confirmed that Morocco International Hakim Ziyech has completed a permanent transfer to Galatasaray.

Ziyech initially joined the Turkish team on loan last summer but has now left Chelsea permanently.

The winger, 31, spent last season on loan with the Turkish team after a temporary deal with an obligation to make the move permanent was agreed.

The Morocco international made 23 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals and assisting another four.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, he scored 14 goals and achieved success in the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

“We appreciate Hakim’s contributions during his time at Chelsea and wish him the best in the next phase of his career,” Chelsea noted.

West Bromwich's move delights Malian midfielder Ousmane Diakité.
by FSL News

West Bromwich’s move delights Malian midfielder Ousmane Diakité

Malian midfielder Ousmane Diakite has happily signed a two-year contract with West Bromwich Albion. The 23-year-old is moving to The Hawthorns from the Austrian Bundesliga club, TSV Hartberg.

Diakite featured in 34 games for TSV Hartberg, scoring two goals.

“I am delighted to be joining such a massive club,” he told the club’s website. “It’s always been an ambition of mine to play in England and I just can’t wait to get started,” told the club’s website

Diakite is the first summer signing for Baggies’ head coach Carlos Corberan. Corberan added, “Ousmane is a young, talented midfielder with the potential to grow as a player in England. His ball skills will help us transition from defence to attack.”

Diakite achieved runner-up position in the 2015 world championships with the Malian U17 team and played his first match for the U20 national team in 2017.

FC Augsburg has fortified its attacking lineup with a new acquisition of Congolese international Samuel Essende.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Congolese International Samuel Essende joins FC Augsburg

FC Augsburg has fortified its attacking lineup with a new acquisition of Congolese international Samuel Essende.

The 26-year-old forward, previously with Portuguese first-division relegated team FC Vizela, has signed a contract with FCA until June 30, 2028. The specific details of the transfer remain undisclosed.

Born in Montfermeil, France, Essende received his training at the Paris Saint-Germain academy and demonstrated his prowess by scoring 15 goals in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season.

Standing at an impressive height of 1.92 meters, the striker has previously represented French clubs SM Caen and Pau FC, as well as Belgian first-division club KAS Eupen.

Essende made his national team debut for the Democratic Republic of Congo in early June during the World Cup qualifier in Senegal.

The striker is excited to join FC Augsburg and compete in the Bundesliga. FCA’s sports director, Marinko Jurendic, praised Samuel as a skilled striker and extended a warm welcome, wishing him success at FCA.

Samuel Essende is excited to join FC Augsburg and compete in the Bundesliga. FCA’s sports director, Marinko Jurendic, praised Samuel as a skilled striker and extended a warm welcome, wishing him success at FCA.

Guinea's Serhou Guirassy is on the verge to join Borussia Dortmund
by FSL News

Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy on the verge of joining Borussia Dortmund

Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, the 28-year-old striker for the national team, has agreed to join Borussia Dortmund.

After being considered by several top clubs, including AC Milan, he has decided to join the German side.

Recent reports have revealed that there is now a complete agreement between Guirassy and Borussia Dortmund.

The club is focused on activating Guirassy’s release clause, which stands at €17.5 million.

Guirassy’s impending transfer to Signal Iduna Park comes after an impressive season in the Bundesliga, where he was the second-highest scorer with 28 goals in just 30 appearances across all competitions this season.

The deal, once finalized, will see Guirassy bolstering Borussia Dortmund’s attacking lineup.

Guirassy, a former youth international for France, chose to play for the Republic of Guinea at senior level.

He debuted for Guinea in a 0–0 friendly against South Africa on March 25, 2022, in Kortrijk, Belgium, and was later named in the Guinean squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Blackburn Rovers eye Sierra Leone's winger Augustus Kargbo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Blackburn Rovers eye Sierra Leone’s winger Augustus Kargbo

Blackburn Rovers are interested in signing Cesena striker Augustus Kargbo, as reported by Italian news outlet  TuttoMercato.

The club seems to be planning a summer of attacking additions, and Kargbo has been a key player for the Serie B side, helping them to gain promotion from Serie C.

Kargbo, 24, had an impressive last campaign, making 33 appearances in all competitions and contributing 10 goals and 11 assists to help Cesena win promotion. His contract at Stadio Dino Manuzzi expires in 2026, so there’s no rush for his current club to sell him.

Rovers are keen on bringing him to England this summer. They have identified Kargbo as a target as they prepare for their first full term under the guidance of former Birmingham City boss John Eustace.

Tutto Mercato believes Rovers are keen on luring him over to England this summer. They have identified him as a target as they gear up for their first full term under the guidance of former Birmingham City boss John Eustace.

Attacker Sullay Kaikai pleased after pens Cambridge's new deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Sullay Kaikai pleased after pens Cambridge’s new deal

Sierra Leone international Sullay Kaikai has expressed his  delight after signing a new one-year contract with Cambridge United.

The 28-year-old attacker, who joined the U’s last summer on an initial one-year deal, has been a consistent performer, making 47 appearances across all competitions in his first year.

In February, he was named Love Cambridge Player of the Month after a series of outstanding performances, securing four assists and scoring one goal. 

“I am pleased to sign with the club for another year,” said Kaikai. “The club is moving in an exciting direction, and I am eager to contribute. The confidence of the manager, teammates, and fans means a lot to me. It’s about building upon last season, growing within the gaffer’s set-up, and improving as both an individual and a collective.”

“We are delighted that Sullay has decided to rejoins us,” added the management. “He is a player with undoubted qualities and has shown in the past that he can provide match-winning moments. We believe there is more to come from him, and with the hard work we expect from the players this season, Sullay has the opportunity to take his game to new levels.”

After winning the Love Cambridge Player of the Month award for February 2024, he featured in over 40 games for the U’s last season.

"I am pleased to sign with the club for another year," said Kaikai. "The club is moving in an exciting direction, and I am eager to contribute.."
"I am pleased to sign with the club for another year," said Kaikai. "The club is moving in an exciting direction, and I am eager to contribute.."
Ghana's Jerome Opoku pens permanent deal with Başakşehir
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana’s Jerome Opoku pens permanent deal with Başakşehir

Jerome Opoku, a talented Ghanaian player, has signed a three-year contract with İstanbul Süper Lig club Başakşehir.

This follows his loan from Portuguese club Arouca at the start of the 2023-2024 season.

Opoku previously showcased his skill by leading Fulham U23s and gaining valuable experience during loan spells at Accrington Stanley, Plymouth Argyle, and Vejle Boldklub.

His dedication and versatility make him a valuable addition to the Başakşehir family.

Opoku, who was born in England and is of Ghanaian descent, made his debut for the Ghana national team on 18 October 2023 in a friendly match against the United States national team, which ended in a loss.