Aston Villa confirm signing of Everton’s Lucas Digne
London, Jan 13: The English Premier League club Aston Villa confirmed the signing of France international Lucas Digne from Everton on Thursday. The left-back is manager Steven Gerrard’s second signing in the January transfer window after Philippe Coutinho’s loan arrival from Barcelona. The French international, who has represented European football clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Barcelona, becomes our second signing of the January transfer window, the club said in a release. Digne, 28, has won league titles in both France and Spain, represented his country at both World Cup Finals and European Championships. (IANS)
Former Norwich manager Farke to coach Russian club
KRASNODAR (Russia), Jan 13: Former Norwich manager Daniel Farke is moving to southern Russia after signing up to coach Krasnodar. It will be Farke’s first job since being fired by the struggling Premier League team in November. Krasnodar said Farke signed a contract Thursday through the end of the 2023-24 season and will bring three assistants with him. Krasnodar is fifth in the Russian league and is aiming to return to European competition next season after reaching the group stage of the Champions League in 2020 but missing out this season. (AP)
Newcastle sign Burnley’s Chris Wood for $34.5 million
London, Jan 13: Newcastle strengthened its attacking options – and significantly weakened those of a relegation rival in the Premier League – by signing Chris Wood from Burnley for a reported 25 million pounds ($34.5 million) on Thursday. Newcastle triggered the release clause in Wood’s contract to make the New Zealand striker the club’s second signing of the January transfer window, after England right back Kieran Trippier from Spanish champion Atlético Madrid. (AP)
France left-back Lucas Digne joins Aston Villa from Everton
LONDON, Jan 13: Aston Villa has also been busy in the January market, with France left back Lucas Digne joining from Everton on Thursday to add to the loan signing of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona last week. Digne, who had fallen out with Everton manager Rafa Benitez and asked to leave the club, will also cost Villa up to $34.5 million. Digne played for Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Barcelona before Everton, so comes with high-level experience that was a big attraction for Villa manager Steven Gerrard. (AP)
Kasatkina upsets Muguruza in Sydney, faces Badosa in semis
Sydney, Jan 13: Daria Kasatkina defeated No.2 seed Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semifinal of the Sydney Tennis Classic, here on Thursday. Kasatkina will face No.5 seed Paula Badosa who overcame Belinda Bencic 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-3 in 2 hours and 35 minutes. Kasatkina, who reached the last four at Melbourne Summer Set 2 last week before losing to Amanda Anisimova, has yet to drop a set in Sydney. The victory is also Kasatkina’s first Top 5 win since defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round of Roland Garros 2018, and her ninth overall. (IANS)
Indian hockey midfielder Lilima Minz retires at 27
New Delhi, Jan 13: One of the most experienced midfielders in hockey Lilima Minz decided to retire from the sport on Thursday. Lilima, who made her debut for the national side at the 4-Nation Women’s Hockey Tournaments held in Argentina in 2011, has been part of many glorious moments with the Indian Women’s Hockey Team. The midfielder, from Sundargarh district of Odisha, scored 12 goals in 156 matches for India. She was part of the bronze medal-winning campaign at the Asian Games 2014, silver medal win at the 2018 Asian Games and the gold medal victory at the FIH Women’s Series Finals at Hiroshima in 2019. (IANS)
India’s Khalin Joshi takes lead in Singapore International
Singapore, Jan 13: India’s Khalin Joshi overcame strong winds and a demanding yet impressive golf course to claim the first-round lead in The Singapore International at Tanah Merah Country Club on Thursday. Joshi shot a five-under-par 67 on the Tampines Course, ahead of Englishman William Harrold who finished in second place after a 69 in the US$1 million event. India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu and American Paul Peterson carded 70, while Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Pavit Tangkamoprasert, Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei plus South African Mathiam Keyser returned 71. Australian Wade Ormsby, current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, fired 72. (IANS)