Lists

Chelsea have stunned the football world by announcing the signing of veteran striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 35-year-old former England international arrives at Stamford Bridge on a deal that runs until 2028, adding significant experience to Xabi Alonso’s evolving squad.

The defending Premier Soccer League champions gave the newcomers a harsh welcome to top-flight football, cruising to a comfortable 2-0 victory to begin their title defence in emphatic fashion. Delivering a composed performance from start to finish, they wasted little time in sending a strong message to the rest of the league, making their intentions for the 2026/27 campaign abundantly clear from the opening weekend.

The Buccaneers got their Betway Premiership title defence off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over newcomers Milford FC, but head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was left far from satisfied. Despite the clean sheet and three points, the Moroccan tactician has identified critical areas of concern that he believes must be addressed immediately to sustain a title challenge.

The opening day of the Premier Soccer League got underway without the goal rush many had expected, as teams struggled to find the back of the net. A second-half penalty proved decisive for Usuthu, while Abafana Bes'thende and the Chilli Boys had to settle for a share of the spoils after playing out a draw. Attention now turns to another intriguing fixture, where former Kaizer Chiefs co-coaches will go head-to-head from opposite sides of the touchline. Elsewhere, Richards Bay, Polokwane City, Siwelele and TS Galaxy will all be eager to kick off their campaigns on a positive note as they battle for valuable first match points.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has admitted that the club will miss Marcus Rashford after deciding against signing the Manchester United loanee on a permanent deal. The Catalan side chose not to trigger a £26 million option for the winger, opting instead to bring in Anthony Gordon for £70m.

AC Milan are considering a move to bring Brahim Diaz back to San Siro as they continue their search for a new attacking midfielder. The potential return is prompted by increasing uncertainty surrounding Rafael Leao, who has hinted at a surprising departure to Turkey after a seven-year tenure with the Rossoneri.

Former Amakhosi defender Dominic Isaacs has sent a clear message to the midfielder, insisting that the time has come for the youngster to shed his 'promising' tag. The 20-year-old is facing a pivotal season at Naturena as the club looks to reclaim its status at the summit of South African football.

Tottenham secured a dramatic 2-1 pre-season victory over London rivals Chelsea at Accor Stadium despite playing almost the entire second half with ten men. Richarlison poked home a last-minute winner after Xabi Alonso's side had dominated the contest following Kevin Danso's controversial sending off.

Vinícius ready to lower his demands to resolve the contract renewal crisis

Newcastle United are reportedly waiting until August 16 to submit a formal bid for Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall. The strategic delay is designed to carefully navigate UEFA's new 45-day transfer rule following Sandro Tonali's recent move to Spurs.

Former Sea Robbers midfielder Sifiso Myeni has raised serious concerns regarding the club's strategy following the high-profile departure of the 21-year-old. The playmaker left a significant void in the Buccaneers' attacking department after securing a move to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and despite being very active in the transfer market, the club is yet to fill the creative midfield role.

Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso has moved to play down his training-ground altercation with Kenneth Taylor following their preseason victory over Avellino. The former Milan midfielder emphasised that the incident was swiftly resolved while also taking a moment to pay an emotional tribute to the late Franco Baresi.

Intermediaries have contacted Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur about the potential transfer of Mika Godts. The 21-year-old Belgian winger is currently subject to intense interest from Paris Saint-Germain following a remarkable campaign at Ajax.

Arsenal are closely monitoring Vinicius Junior's contract standoff with Real Madrid as the Brazilian enters the final year of his current deal. The Premier League giants are reportedly prepared to shatter their wage structure to sign the winger if an agreement cannot be reached in Spain.

The Soweto giants’ icon Tlou Segolela has laid down the gauntlet for the 24-year-old, challenging the winger to prove that his stellar performances last season were no coincidence. Despite a historic treble-winning campaign with the Buccaneers, Appollis found himself overshadowed by teammate Relebohile Mofokeng during the end-of-season awards ceremony.

Napoli are preparing to offer Scott McTominay a lucrative contract extension as new manager Massimiliano Allegri builds his midfield around him. The Scotland international has established himself as a vital figure in Naples following an impressive spell, prompting the Italian club to move quickly to secure his long-term future.

Gianni Infantino's leadership of FIFA has been "badly shaken" after the president was forced into a dramatic U-turn, abandoning his controversial proposal to sell off commercial shares in the World Cup. The retreat follows fierce backlash and boycott threats from European football.

Marcus Rashford has been left out of Manchester United's pre-season squad to face Atletico Madrid in Stockholm as he completes a mandatory rest period following the World Cup. The forward is taking his three-week post-tournament break after representing England in North America, keeping him sidelined from early friendly preparations.

GOAL brings you all the available details on the Premier Soccer League game between The Village Boys and Amakhosi at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga. Fernando Da Cruz will aim for early momentum in his official baptism of fire, as he takes on the newcomers who will be looking to prove they deserve their topflight promotion.

Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has delivered a candid admission regarding his long-standing smoking habit, describing the nicotine addiction as an undeniable personal weakness. The former Polish international insists he has no plans to quit, despite acknowledging the unprofessional nature of the vice.

Manchester United are actively exploring a blockbuster player-plus-cash swap deal to sign Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao this summer. The Premier League side are reportedly prepared to offer €30 million alongside out-of-favour Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee to secure the highly-rated Portugal international's signature.

The Spanish coach is a strong candidate to manage Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia

Manchester United are ready to test Newcastle United's resolve with a £60m opening proposal for left-back Lewis Hall, who has been greenlit as a primary target by the Old Trafford hierarchy. Following a tumultuous summer window, the Magpies are facing a challenge in retaining the England international.

Tottenham have agreed a €40 million (£34m) fee to sell club captain Cristian Romero to Serie A side Inter. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has publicly confirmed he will respect the defender's desire to seek a fresh challenge away from London.

The Buccaneers have been warned that their marquee striker signing could struggle to make an impact if the club fails to address a growing creativity crisis. Former Pirates striker Andries Sebola believes the Norwegian forward has all the physical attributes to succeed in the Betway Premiership but is concerned about the lack of service following the key departure of Relebohile Mofokeng.

Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has confirmed that Joao Palhinha is not part of the club's plans for the upcoming season. The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder is keen on remaining in England, with Premier League sides Aston Villa and Newcastle United both showing interest in his signature.