Arsenal Women confirmed the deadline‑day signing of French defender Elisa de Almeida from Paris Saint‑Germain for an estimated £550,000 on a three‑year deal. The 28‑year‑old, a versatile centre‑back with 52 caps for France, joins a side dealing with defensive injuries and aiming for their first WSL title since 2019. Manager Renee Slegers praised her experience and composure.
Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli has left Arsenal after seven years to join Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal on a £60m guaranteed transfer. The move comes after manager Mikel Arteta told him he was not in the club’s plans, and Martinelli expressed pride in his new club during the unveiling video.
Carlos Queiroz returned to lead the Ghana Black Stars after a short stint away, with the Ghana Football Association confirming his re‑engagement. He will now prepare the team for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
VfL Osnabruck created a spectacular rollercoaster‑styled tifo that covered the East Stand of the Bremer Brucke stadium, symbolising the club’s turbulent history. The display was shown before their German Cup first‑round clash with Bayern Munich, a game they ultimately lost 4-1 despite an early 1-0 lead. The elaborate tifo featured wooden carts, dummies and a photo station, highlighting the club’s creativity despite their recent promotion to Bundesliga 2.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill expressed optimism that the Irish Football Association’s planned national training centre at Galgorm, near Ballymena, will move forward and be ready by 2028. He also addressed the ongoing knee injury of Liverpool defender Conor Bradley, indicating a realistic return for the Nations League could be the March 2027 international break. The article highlights the potential benefits of the facility for all national teams, including senior, under‑age and women’s squads.
Paris Saint-Germain have turned down multiple offers from Manchester City for their 25‑year‑old midfielder Jennifer Echegini, with the French club unwilling to let her go before her contract expires next year. The rejection comes ahead of the Women’s Super League season start and the upcoming Women’s Champions League qualifying tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Scotland striker Ross Stewart has suffered a quad soft‑tissue injury that will keep him out of Swansea City’s next four Championship matches. The 30‑year‑old has only made one substitute appearance since joining the club on a three‑year deal, and head coach Vitor Matos hopes he could return during the international break.
Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema, a Netherlands international, has been ruled out of the opening fixtures of the Women’s Super League after sustaining a knee injury. The club confirmed the issue is separate from her previous knee problems and she has not suffered an ACL tear.
Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, 23, moved to Spanish side Valencia on a loan deal that runs until the end of the season. The agreement includes no option or obligation for Valencia to sign him permanently. It is Elliott’s second consecutive loan spell after spending last season at Aston Villa.
Northern Ireland international Conor McMenamin has re‑joined Glentoran in a surprise move just two months after signing for Coleraine. The deal also sees former Coleraine player Joe Thomson head to the Showgrounds, while manager Ruaidhri Higgins explained the switch was driven by commuting concerns.