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Said El Mala

Koln warn Brighton over El Mala

Koln president Jorn Stobbe has issued a strong warning to Premier League clubs interested in teenage sensation Said El Mala. Following a stellar breakthrough season in the Bundesliga, the young attacker is heavily linked with a move to England. However, the German side remain determined to keep their prized asset, insisting it would be madness to sell him now.

Said El Mala Koln 10292025

Brighton chase Koln star El Mala

Brighton are intensifying their efforts to sign Koln sensation Said El Mala, but the Seagulls face stiff competition from domestic rivals. Following a change in the 19-year-old's representation, several top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester City, have entered the race but Brighton are reportedly preparing a record-breaking offer after having previous bids rejected by the German side.

1. FC Köln v VfL Wolfsburg - Bundesliga

Brighton launch third bid for breakthrough Bundesliga star

Brighton are refusing to take no for an answer in their pursuit of Koln sensation Said El Mala. The Seagulls, ever the masters of identifying Europe’s most exciting young talent, have lodged a fresh formal offer for the 19-year-old winger. Despite the Bundesliga side’s previous reluctance to sell, Fabian Hurzeler’s side is pushing harder than ever to secure the teenager's signature before his value spirals out of reach.

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Have Germany found their new Podolski in Bayern-linked teen?

Florian Wirtz's £100 million ($130m) move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool didn't just upset Bayern Munich. It also hit hard at Koln. After all, Wirtz had come through their academy only to leave for Leverkusen in the summer of 2020 - and for a paltry €300,000 (£265,000/$350,000). Koln were furious. They felt Leverkusen had broken a 'gentleman's agreement' by signing one of the most exciting young players they'd ever produced - but there was nothing they could do about it. Wirtz's contract was expiring and he wanted to leave.

Frequently asked questions

Initially founded as Sunderland and District Teachers A.F.C. in 1879, the club was renamed to Sunderland A.F.C. in October 1880. The club turned professional a decade later, when it joined The Football League ahead of the 1890-91 campaign.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus (64% stake) and Juan Sartori (36% stake) are the co-owners of Sunderland. The former first acquired shares in February 2021, joining the latter who has been associated with the club since 2018.

Sunderland's home stadium is known as The Stadium of Light, which replaced the iconic Roker Park in 1997. Roker Park served as Sunderland's home ground for almost a century, from 1898 to 1997.

The Stadium of Light has a capacity of 49,000, making it England's ninth-largest football stadium.

Sunderland have won a total of nine trophies, which includes six top-flight titles as well as two FA Cups.

Sunderland have clinched the English top-flight title on six occasions. Their first win came in the 1891-92 season, while they haven't won a single league title since going all the way at the end of the 1935-36 campaign.

Former English goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery holds the record for making the most appearances in Sunderland history. Montgomery made 627 appearances between 1960 and 1977 and was a part of the Sunderland team that won the 1973 FA Cup.

The Sunderland faithful will never forget the contributions of legendary striker Bobby Gurney, who churned out 228 goals in 390 appearances in what is a club record.

Charlie Hurley, Simon Mignolet, John O'Shea, Jordan Pickford, Jermain Defoe, Bobby Kerr, and Jimmy Montgomery are among the most prominent players to have donned the Sunderland shirt.

Bob Kyle, Roy Keane, and Sam Allardyce are among Sunderland's most famous managers.

Previously known as The Rokermen when they played at Roker Park, Sunderland are now officially nicknamed The Black Cats based on 10,000 votes cast by the supporters through the official magazine in 2000. The nickname originates from the names of battery guns which protected the mouth of the River Wear in the 18th century.