Tottenham Hotspur sign Kevin Danso on loan from RC Lens
London, Feb 2: Tottenham Hotspur have signed Kevin Danso on a season-long loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent, from Ligue 1 side RC Lens. The Austrian defender will wear the number four shirt. The North London club were forced to enter the January transfer market having been dealt with an injury crisis, with defenders Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin ruled out, which has seen the Ange Postecoglou side fall down to 15th in the Premier League. Born in Voitsberg, Austria, Kevin moved to England at the age of six and began his early career with Reading and MK Dons before heading to Germany to join FC Augsburg in January 2014 to continue his development. After progressing through FC Augsburg’s youth system, he made his first team debut in March 2017, becoming the youngest-ever player to feature for the club in a league fixture. He went on to make 44 senior appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit, scoring three times. (IANS)
Man United bring in Dorgu from Lecce in first signing
Manchester, Feb 2: Manchester United made its first signing under Ruben Amorim by bringing in Denmark defender Patrick Dorgu from Lecce for a reported 30 million euros ($31 million) on Sunday. The 20-year-old Dorgu plays as an attacking left-sided wing back so is an important signing for Amorim, who has implemented his favored 3-4-3 formation to underwhelming effect since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in November. United said Dorgu’s signing is subject to securing a visa and registration and that he has penned a contract until June 2030, with the option of an additional year. “I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting,” Dorgu said. “There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions.” Dorgu played 57 games for Lecce and scored with his first touch on his international debut for Denmark in September. (AP)
Union Berlin sign Croatian forward Marin Ljubicic
Berlin, Feb 2: Union Berlin, the team with the worst attack in the Bundesliga, is signing Croatian forward Marin Ljubicic to address the problem. Union said Sunday that the 22-year-old Ljubicic was arriving from Austrian team LASK. It did not give the length of his contract. Ljubicic scored 28 goals in 75 matches in Austria’s Bundesliga for LASK after joining the club from Croatian club Hajduk Split in 2022. “Marin is a big talent in his age group and has shown what qualities he has in front of goal, and not just at LASK,” Union sporting director Horst Heldt said. “His awareness, speed and technical strengths will help us and give the coaching team more options in attack.” Kicker magazine reported Union was paying 4.5 million euros plus possible bonuses to LASK for the player. Union has only managed 16 goals in 20 rounds of the Bundesliga so far. Its offensive shortcomings were illustrated again in a scoreless draw with Leipzig on Saturday, when it created good opportunities without reward. (AP)
A Lim Kim maintains 3-shot lead in LPGA Tour’s season-opening event
Orlando, Feb 2: A Lim Kim maintained a three-shot lead over Linn Grant in the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, with each shooting 5-under 67 in the final group at Lake Nona. Trying to complete a wire-to-wire victory for her third LPGA Tour title, Kim holed out from greenside bunkers for eagle on the par-5 ninth and birdie on the par-4 14th. The 29-year-old South Korean player also birdied the par-4 18th to get to 15-under 201. Kim has a field-best 81 putts in three rounds. She won the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open and 2024 LOTTE Championship and was three victories on the Korean tour. “My goal, my starting goal always my job, not result,” Kim said. “So, I really focus on my prepare, process, and then, just hit it. That’s all. So my position, I don’t care. That’s not important for me.” Grant won the 2023 Dana Open for her lone LPGA Tour title. The 25-year-old Swede also closed with a birdie. (AP)
Schniederjans records emotional comeback win; Lahiri finishes tied 10
Gurugram, Feb 2: Anirban Lahiri ended up as the top Indian with a final round of 68 that saw him finish tied-10th in International Series India here on Sunday. As Lahiri carried the flag for the local fans, American Ollie Schniederjans completed a incredible comeback in his career with an emotional win, signalled as he hugged his brother, who was his caddie. The American who holed an amazing chip for a birdie on 13, fired a three-under-par 69 for a four-round aggregate of 10-under. It gave him a surprise four-shot victory over reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, his nearest challenger. DeChambeau carded one of the best rounds of the week with a seven-under par round of 65, but the eight-shot lead that Schniederjans held when the final round began was a bit too much make up though the two-time Major winner it down to four and finished sole second. Lahiri earlier finished his third round in 79 and admitted it robbed him of a chance to finish higher. “That 79 in round three killed me. I missed a lot of short putts, but the good thing is that I felt in much better rhythm with my putter towards the end of the final round and thought I made some nice putts. (PTI)
120 golfers participate in inaugural tournament in Rajasthan
Jaipur, Feb 2: The inaugural edition of the Shri P.M. Rungta Memorial Golf Cup was held at Rambagh Golf Club here and witnessed participation from nearly 120 golfers. The event was attended by former Indian cricket team captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Professional female golfer Ridhima Dilawari was also present on the occasion. “It’s truly inspiring to see such enthusiasm for golf and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by all participants. Such events not only promote the sport but also bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds,” Azharuddin said. The tournament concluded with an award distribution ceremony, where winners and runners-up from different categories were felicitated. The ‘Overall Net Winner Golfer Trophy’ was claimed by Ankit Palawat. (PTI)