United News of Bangladesh

Aston Villa have completed their first major signing of the summer, bringing in Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand from French side Nice for a reported fee of at least 30 million euros ($35 million). The 24-year-old, who netted 13 goals last season mainly playing as a winger, was named Nice’s player of the season. Villa described him as “a versatile operator capable of playing across the front line.” While financial terms were not disclosed, reports said the deal includes up to 5 million euros in potential add-ons. Aston Villa and Chelsea win at home and raise Champions League hopes “This club is special — history, pride, passion, the belief. When I heard the club wanted me, I didn’t think twice,” Guessand said. Nice hailed the French-born forward as a “model of resilience,” noting his rise from the club’s youth system to making his senior debut in January 2020. Villa, under Unai Emery, open their Premier League campaign on Aug. 16 at home to Newcastle.

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé and England forward Chloe Kelly have been shortlisted for the prestigious Ballon d'Or awards in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. France Football magazine on Thursday unveiled the list of 30 nominees for both categories. The winners will be announced on September 22 at a ceremony in Paris. Dembélé, 28, enjoyed a stellar season, playing a pivotal role in PSG’s historic treble-winning campaign, including their long-awaited first UEFA Champions League title. He scored a personal best of 35 goals across all competitions. Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who dazzled in the Champions League and played a key role in the club’s La Liga triumph, is also among the male contenders. Chloe Kelly leads women’s nominations England’s Chloe Kelly, 27, sealed her spot among the women’s nominees after scoring the winning penalty in the European Championship final against World Cup champions Spain. She also contributed significantly in earlier knockout matches. Kelly, who played on the right wing for Arsenal last season, helped the club clinch the Women’s Champions League title in a surprise win over Barcelona. She is joined by fellow England internationals Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton — both of whom play for Chelsea — and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí, the two-time defending winner of the women’s Ballon d'Or. Frankfurt ropes in Japan winger Ritsu Doan ahead of Champions League campaign Barcelona players have dominated the women’s award in recent years, winning the last four editions. Bronze previously finished second to Megan Rapinoe in 2019. PSG dominates nominations Dembélé is one of nine PSG players nominated this year. The list also includes goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, young forward Désiré Doué — who netted twice in PSG’s 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan — and winger Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia, who arrived from Napoli in January. Other prominent men’s nominees include Liverpool’s Mo Salah, who netted 29 league goals to lead his team to the Premier League title, and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, who scored 44 times last season. Last year’s winner, Spanish midfielder Rodri, missed most of the season due to a knee injury. Real Madrid, which skipped last year’s award ceremony after Vinícius Júnior finished runner-up, is expected to be closely watched this time after last year’s social media backlash. Voting and additional nominations The Ballon d'Or is awarded by France Football and dates back to 1956 for men and 2018 for women. Voting is carried out by one journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries for the men's award, and from the top 50 ranked nations for the women’s. Points are awarded based on ranked selections, with the top points-earner winning the award. PSG coach Luis Enrique has been nominated for best men’s coach, while England’s Sarina Wiegman features among the nominees for best women’s coach. Donnarumma is a frontrunner for the Lev Yashin Trophy for best men’s goalkeeper. Chelsea's Hannah Hampton is among five candidates for the women’s goalkeeping award. Source: Agency 

German club Eintracht Frankfurt has signed Japanese winger Ritsu Doan on a five-year deal as part of efforts to bolster its squad ahead of a return to the UEFA Champions League. Doan joins from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg, where he was the top scorer last season with 10 goals, helping the team secure a fifth-place finish. "I'm very happy and honored to be here," said the 27-year-old winger in a translated video message to Frankfurt fans. "I can't wait to play in front of the supporters." Frankfurt is gearing up for Champions League football after finishing third in the Bundesliga but will be without star striker Hugo Ekitiké, who recently joined Liverpool in a high-profile move worth £69 million (US$93.5 million). Doan is expected to play a key role in the reshaped attack alongside newly signed center-forward Jonathan Burkardt, who arrived from Mainz to fill Ekitiké’s position. Jorge Costa, former Porto captain and Champions League winner, dies at 53 A seasoned international, Doan has made 57 appearances for Japan, including playing in all matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He also helped secure Japan’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He previously won the Dutch Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 2022. Doan could make his Frankfurt debut on August 17 in a German Cup clash against fifth-tier side Engers. The club will open its Bundesliga campaign at home against Werder Bremen six days later.

Luis Suárez delivered a standout performance with one goal and two assists as Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory over Pumas on Wednesday night, moving forward in the Leagues Cup competition. The team played without Lionel Messi, who remains sidelined indefinitely due to what the club described as a minor muscle injury in his right leg. Messi sustained the injury early in Inter Miami’s win against Necaxa on Saturday. He was present for Wednesday’s match, watching from a suite at Chase Stadium. With eight points in the Leagues Cup standings, Inter Miami became the first Major League Soccer (MLS) club to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament. Rodrigo De Paul scored his maiden goal for Inter Miami in the 45th minute, assisted by Suárez, equalizing after Pumas’ Jorge Ruvalcaba opened the scoring in the 34th minute. De Paul, a key midfielder for Argentina, joined MLS to play alongside his national teammate Messi. He made his club debut in the tournament's opener against Atlas last Wednesday and registered two assists in the following match against Necaxa. Son Heung-min joins LAFC after 10-year spell at Tottenham Suárez gave Miami a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute by converting a penalty kick, awarded after a handball by Pumas defender José Caicedo inside the box. It marked Suárez’s first goal since scoring against Palmeiras in Inter Miami’s Club World Cup clash on June 23. Tadeo Allende sealed the win in the 69th minute, finishing Suárez’s second assist of the night. Source: Agency 

Bangladesh made a winning start in the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, defeating hosts Laos 3-1 in their opening match at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane on Wednesday. In their first-ever meeting at any level, Bangladesh dominated early and took control of the match with a brace from forward Mosammat Sagarika and a goal from midfielder Munki Akter. Sagarika, just 17, had recently finished as the top scorer in the SAFF U-20 Championship and picked up right where she left off. She opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a header from a Shanti Mardi corner. Munki doubled the lead in the 58th minute after receiving a well-timed pass from Trishna Rani and calmly finishing inside the box. Laos pulled one back in the 86th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse, but Sagarika struck again in stoppage time to seal the win. Despite Laos being 21 places higher in the FIFA rankings (107 vs Bangladesh’s 128), it was Bangladesh who controlled possession and created more chances. The result marks only the third win in 13 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifying matches for Bangladesh. Bangladesh will face Timor-Leste next, while South Korea, who thrashed Timor-Leste 9-0, lead the group on goal difference. Only the group winners and the three best runners-up from eight groups will qualify for the final round in 2026.

Bangladesh U-20 women’s football team is set to take on the hosts in Laos in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the New Laos National Stadium on Wednesday.    Recently, the Bangladesh women’s main team has qualified for the Asian Cup. Now the onus is on the juniors to replicate the success.    The team arrived in Laos on August 2nd and has acclimatised to the conditions, with all 23 players fit and ready. Women footballers continue to bring Bangladesh sporting glory   “We are here to qualify for the AFC Cup. We will try our best to play well in every match,” Captain Afida Khandokar expressed strong confidence before the match.    Coach Peter Butler views the tournament not just for results, but as a crucial measure of the team's development.   Before this match, these two nations had never met in a football match.   At least nine players who recently represented the Bangladesh national team are also part of the U-20 team. 

South Korean football star Son Heung-min has officially signed with Los Angeles FC, completing a high-profile move to Major League Soccer (MLS) after ten seasons at Tottenham Hotspur. The 33-year-old forward confirmed his departure from the Premier League club last week and was seen attending LAFC’s Leagues Cup clash against Tigres at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night. He waved to a cheering crowd from a VIP suite after being introduced on the stadium’s video screen. LAFC is expected to unveil Son at a formal press conference on Wednesday. According to reports, the club paid a transfer fee exceeding $20 million—possibly the highest in MLS history. Allende scores twice to help Inter Miami tie the Earthquakes 3-3 in Messi's MLS Bay Area debut Son, widely regarded as the greatest Asian footballer of all time, scored 173 goals in 454 appearances for Tottenham. He was a fan favorite for his pace, creativity, and finishing. Last week, he received an emotional farewell in Seoul during a friendly against Newcastle, where he exited the match to thunderous applause from nearly 65,000 fans. Los Angeles, home to the largest Korean community outside of Korea, offers Son both a supportive cultural backdrop and a strategic opportunity. His arrival positions him not only as a major football asset for LAFC, but also a marketable figure akin to Shohei Ohtani of the LA Dodgers, who draws international attention from across the Pacific. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, to be hosted across North America, Son’s move could further raise his profile both on and off the pitch. The Korean national team captain has already pledged to take part in what will be his fourth World Cup appearance. Son ended his Tottenham career on a high note, helping the club lift the Europa League trophy in May — their first European silverware in decades. Now, he joins an LAFC side currently sixth in the Western Conference with games in hand due to their participation in the Club World Cup. While his tally of seven Premier League goals last season was his lowest since joining Spurs, Son remains a dynamic attacker and recently turned 33, younger than many global stars now playing in the MLS. Lionel Messi, Marco Reus, Luis Suárez, Olivier Giroud, and Hugo Lloris were all older when they moved to the United States. Son will reunite with former Spurs teammate Lloris, now LAFC’s starting goalkeeper. With only one designated player spot currently occupied by Denis Bouanga, LAFC’s front office has faced criticism for underutilizing its spending power this season. An earlier attempt to sign French forward Antoine Griezmann fell through. Both Son and Bouanga favor the left wing, but Son's tactical flexibility allows him to play across the front line, making him a valuable addition to LAFC’s counter-attacking, speed-oriented system — a style that is expected to complement his strengths far more than it did for Giroud, who left for Lille after a disappointing stint in Los Angeles. LAFC may undergo further changes in the coming months, as head coach Steve Cherundolo is expected to depart for Germany after four successful seasons, including an MLS Cup title.   Source: Agency

Jorge Costa, the former Porto defender who captained the club to a historic Champions League victory in 2004, has died at the age of 53 following a cardiac arrest, the club confirmed Tuesday. At the time of his passing, Costa was serving as Porto’s director of football. The club paid tribute to his legacy, highlighting his “dedication, leadership, passion, and relentless spirit of conquest.” According to Portuguese media, Costa collapsed at Porto's training ground and was taken to São João Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Barcelona Takes Disciplinary Action Against Ter Stegen Over Medical Report Dispute Costa was best known for leading José Mourinho’s Porto to Champions League glory in 2004. The year before, he had lifted the UEFA Cup with the team. Over his playing career, he helped Porto secure eight Portuguese league titles and earned 50 caps for Portugal. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed condolences, lauding Costa’s service to both club and country. Mourinho also paid an emotional tribute, imagining Costa saying, “Mister, stop crying, tomorrow you have a match and your boys need you ready.” Costa had a brief loan spell at Charlton Athletic in the 2001–02 season. Former teammate Steve Brown described him as “a man mountain and a great guy.” Source: Agency  

FC Barcelona has initiated disciplinary proceedings against veteran goalkeeper Marc‑André ter Stegen after he refused to sign a medical report concerning his recent back surgery, according to an anonymous source familiar with the matter. The club required the signed report to submit to the Spanish league in order to secure salary-cap relief and facilitate registration of new players without breaching financial fair play regulations. Ter Stegen and Barcelona are reportedly at odds over the expected duration of his recovery. The goalkeeper had estimated a three-month convalescence following surgery last week to address recurring lower back problems. Barcelona confirmed the procedure was “successful” but added that the timing of his return would depend on his recovery process. Barcelona’s goalkeeper Ter Stegen faces 3-month layoff after back surgery Depending on how long Ter Stegen remains sidelined, the club could remove a portion of his salary from its cap, potentially creating space to bring in new talent. Indeed, Barcelona has already signed Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García in June, joining veteran Wojciech Szczęsny and Iñaki Peña as options in goal. The signed medical report must be reviewed and approved by the league before a formal recovery timetable is official. Ter Stegen, who serves as one of Barcelona’s team captains, has not yet commented publicly on the disciplinary action. He and club officials were expected to meet soon to resolve the issue. Barcelona clinches its 28th La Liga title as Yamal's stunning strike seals domestic treble The 33‑year‑old missed most of last season due to a knee tendon rupture and overcame back surgery in 2023. Peña and 35‑year‑old Szczęsny served as starters during those periods. Barcelona returned to Spain on Tuesday after completing its preseason tour in Asia. It remains unclear what type of penalty, if any, Ter Stegen may face for refusing to sign the document.   Source: Agency

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Tuesday after being charged with five counts of rape. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving two women between 2021 and 2022. Partey also faces one count of sexual assault involving a third woman. The 31-year-old Ghanaian international, now a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Arsenal at the end of last season, arrived at court wearing a dark zip-up sweater and carrying a suit jacket. Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey charged with five counts of rape Police said the investigation began in February 2022 after receiving an initial report of rape. Partey's lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, earlier stated that her client “denies all the charges against him” and welcomes the opportunity “to finally clear his name.”