World Soccer - UK (2020-10)

Appointments, sackings and loans

David Beckham’s MLS outfit Inter Miami made their first major move in the

transfer market, recruiting France midfielderBLAISE MATUIDIfromJuventus

onafreetransfer.

The club had been linked with a host of big names as their first marquee

signing, including Uruguay duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, but opted for

the industrious World Cup winner, who has won multiple league titles with

both Paris Saint-Germain andJuve, as well as 82 international caps.

“I love playing with this lot. We’ve got some special young players.

I’m really happy to share the pitch with them. I joined when I was

17 and some of the lads are the same age...I can guide them”

Borussia Dortmund’sJadon Sancho distances himself from a summer move

Inter Miami make Matuidi first major signing

EUROPE

Former Schalke and Lokomotiv

Moscow defenderBENEDIKT HOWEDES

announced that he is retiring aged 32

for family reasons. Everton left-back

LEIGHTON BAINES, 35, also ended his

career after 420 games for the Toffees.

Veteran Chile goalkeeperCLAUDIO

BRAVOleft Manchester City after his

contract expired.

AFRICA

ARISTIDE BANCE, cult-hero of

Burkina Faso, retired after a remarkable

career involving 22 different clubs

across Europe, Asia and Africa.

ASIA

LEE LIM-SAENGstepped down as

Suwon Samsung Bluewings head coach

after a disappointing start to the season,

with bossCHOI YONG-SOOalso

departing from FC Seoul.

Ex-China goalkeeperYANG ZHI

announced his retirement aged 37.

CONCACAF

Atlanta United andFRANK DE BOER

parted ways after the club’s poor showing

at the MLS Is Back Tournament.

to join Lazio. Other notable free transfers
includedJOE HARTjoining Tottenham
Hotspur,JAN VERTONGHENto Benfica,
WILLIANto Arsenal,BURAK YILMAZ
to Lille, and Champions League winner
JON OBI MIKELmoving to Stoke City
in the English Championship.

Talented Asian duo, Malaysia striker
LUQMAN HAKIMand Iran goalkeeper
ALIREZA BEIRANVAND, joined Belgian
outfits Kortrijk and Antwerp respectively.

CONCACAF

Former APOEL and Leeds United
managerTHOMAS CHRISTIANSEN
was appointed head coach of
Panama’s national team.

ASIA

In South Korea, ex-Premier League
playersKI SUNG-YEUNGandMODOU
BARROWjoined Seoul FC andJeonbuk
Motors respectively.

JORDI CRUYFFwas appointed

coach of Chinese Super League outfit

Shenzhen FC, just a month after leaving

his post as Ecuador national team boss

without managing a game.

GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE

Reunion...

Matuidi and

Beckham

played with

each other

at PSG

Baines...bows out

China-bound...Jordi Cruyff

World Cup

winner...

Benedikt

Howedes

Sacked...

De Boer