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Erling Haaland, the Norwegian goal machine, has rapidly risen to prominence in the early stages of his career, captivating fans worldwide with his remarkable talent and goal-scoring prowess.

Born on July 21, 2000, Haaland made his professional debut with Norwegian side Bryne FK in 2016. He began to show just how prolific he was in front of goal during two seasons with Modle in Norway. However, it was his move to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in January 2019 that truly marked the start of his meteoric rise.

During his time at Salzburg, Haaland shattered records and etched his name in football history. In the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League campaign, he became the first player to score in his first five consecutive appearances. His exceptional form earned him a move to German giants Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, where he continued his goalscoring exploits.

Haaland's combination of speed, strength and clinical finishing has resulted in astonishing statistics. His tally of goals in his late teens and early twenties is unparalleled, even drawing comparisons to some of the game's greatest legends. The striker's ability to find the net consistently has propelled him to multiple awards, including the 2020 Golden Boy Award.

Erling Haaland at Molde

Haaland's football journey took a significant step forward during his time at Molde FK in Norway. Joining the club's youth ranks in 2017, he quickly made his mark on the senior team. In his debut season in 2017, he showcased his potential with four goals in his first three appearances.

However, it was in the 2018/2019 season that Haaland truly made waves, finishing as the top scorer in the Norwegian top-flight league, Eliteserien, with 12 goals in 25 appearances. His exceptional performances earned him a move to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in January 2019.

Haaland's time at Molde was instrumental in his development as a goalscoring phenomenon, and his achievements there laid the foundation for his subsequent successes.

Erling Haaland at RB Salzburg

Haaland's tenure at RB Salzburg from January 2019 to January 2020 saw him get better and better. The young Norwegian striker made an immediate impact, showcasing his extraordinary talent on the European stage.

In the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League campaign, Haaland's remarkable feat of scoring eight goals in his first six group stage matches garnered attention worldwide. His blistering pace, physicality and clinical finishing left opponents stunned. This accomplishment, coupled with his earlier achievements, earned him the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2020.

Beyond the Champions League, Haaland's domestic performances were equally impressive. During his time at Salzburg, he scored a total of 29 goals in just 27 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga. This incredible scoring rate emphasized his prolific nature and established him as one of the hottest young prospects in world football.

One of the most memorable moments of his time at Salzburg came when he scored a hat-trick against Genk in the Champions League, becoming the third-youngest player to achieve this feat in the history of the competition. His time with the Austrian club served as a springboard for his subsequent move to Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

Haaland's Honours at RB Salzburg

Austrian Bundesliga (1)

2018/2019

Austrian Cup (1)

2018/2019

Erling Haaland at Borussia Dortmund

Erling Haaland's arrival at Borussia Dortmund in January 2020 marked the beginning of a new chapter in his burgeoning football career, and the Norwegian sensation continued to build on his already impressive reputation.

Haaland's debut for Borussia Dortmund was nothing short of spectacular, as he scored a hat-trick against FC Augsburg just 23 minutes after coming on as a substitute. This stunning introduction set the tone for his time at the club, as he consistently found the back of the net with astonishing regularity.

In the second half of the 2019-2020 season, Haaland scored an impressive 16 goals in just 18 Bundesliga appearances. His combination of physical strength, lightning-fast pace and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders. He continued to shine in the UEFA Champions League as well, finishing the season with a total of 10 goals in the competition.

The 2020-2021 season saw Haaland's star continue to rise. He maintained his exceptional goal-scoring form, netting 27 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches and 10 goals in the Champions League. His performance against Sevilla in the Round of 16, where he scored both goals in a 2-2 draw, showcased his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. He ended that season with 41 goals in as many first-team appearances. The following season, he continued his outstanding rate of scoring with 29 goals in just 30 appearances in all competitions.

Haaland's achievements at Borussia Dortmund are highlighted not only by his goal-scoring prowess but also by the numerous records he set during his time in Germany. He became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to reach 25 goals and the quickest to score 20 goals in the competition. His consistency and impact on the team's success earned him the nickname "The Terminator" among fans.

Apart from his individual accomplishments, Haaland's presence and contributions helped Borussia Dortmund secure top-four finishes in the Bundesliga and make notable progress in European competitions. Despite his individual successes, though, he was only able to help Dortmund to one DFB-Pokal trophy during his time at the club.

As one of the most sought-after talents in world football, Haaland's time at Borussia Dortmund was a pivotal phase in his career, so it was no surprise when it was announced he would be joining legendary manager Pep Guardiola at Premier League giants Manchester City in the summer of 2022. He ended his Dortmund career with an astonishing 86 goals in 89 first-team appearances.

Haalands Honours at Borussia Dortmund

DFB-Pokal (1)

2020/2021

Erling Haaland at Manchester City

Haaland joined Man City in July 2022 after the Premier League champions activated his £51.2m release clause.

On his Premier League debut in August, the Norway international scored both goals in a 2-0 win over West Ham and by the end of the month, he already had two hat-tricks to his name after bagging trebles against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. By then, it was clear the Premier League had a goalscoring phenomenon on their hands.

Haaland then scored a brace on his Champions League debut for Manchester City, before becoming the first Premier League player in history to score a hat-trick in three successive home games. In doing so, he also set the record for the fastest player to three Premier League hat-tricks, which he achieved in just eight games. The previous record was held by Michael Owen, who reached that milestone in 48 games. By the end of 2022, Haaland already had 20 goals in just 14 Premier League games.

In March 2023, the explosive striker scored five goals in a Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, becoming only the third player to do so after Lionel Messi and Adriano. It was a haul that also took him to 39 goals in all competitions, which broke Man City's club record for most goals scored in a single season, which had been held by Tommy Johnson since 1928/1929.

By the end of his first season in England, Haaland had more records under his belt. His 36 Premier League goals set a record for the most goals scored in a single season, while he also broke the record for most goal contributions (goals & assists) in a single season, previously held by Thierry Henry. On top of all that, the striker won the European Golden Shoe and the Premier League golden boot.

It would prove to be the dream first season for Haaland in England as, on top of all of his personal records, milestones and a record of 52 goals in 53 games, Man City went on to win a historic treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

At the beginning of his second season at Man City, Haaland netted a brace against Burnley on the opening day of the new Premier League season before Manchester City beat Sevilla on penalties to win their first UEFA Super Cup title, taking Haaland's trophy count to four since his signed for the club 13 months earlier.

To-date, his career record at the age of just 23 is an astonishing 209 goals in 256 first-team club appearances.

Haaland's Honours at Man City

Premier League (1)

2022/2023

FA Cup (1)

2022/2023

UEFA Champions League (1)

2022/2023

UEFA Super Cup (1)

2023

Erling Haaland with Norway

Erling Haaland's international career with the Norwegian national team has been characterized by his prolific scoring and potential to become a footballing icon for his country.

Making his debut on September 5, 2019, he swiftly asserted his impact by becoming Norway's youngest-ever scorer in a European Championship qualifier against Sweden.

Haaland's scoring prowess continued to shine as he netted crucial goals during the UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualifiers. His remarkable record includes becoming the first teenager to score in five consecutive UEFA European Championship qualifiers.

Since his 2019 debut, Haaland has netted 24 goals in just 25 appearances for Norway.

Erling Haaland's Personal Accolades & Records

Erling Haaland's remarkable football journey is punctuated by a slew of personal records and prestigious awards that underscore his extraordinary goalscoring talent.

His rapid ascent began with becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick on his Bundesliga debut in January 2020, a feat achieved within just 23 minutes for Borussia Dortmund.

In the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League, Haaland set a new record by becoming the fastest player to reach 10 goals in the competition, a milestone accomplished in just seven appearances. This astonishing form led to his inclusion in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season.

The coveted Golden Boy Award, bestowed upon him in 2020, marked his status as the best young footballer in Europe. His prolific goal-scoring continued, with records like being the youngest player to score 20 goals in Bundesliga history.

Haaland's legacy also extends to his national team, where he became the youngest player to score for Norway in a European Championship qualifier. These records and accolades are a testament to his immense talent and his potential to shape the footballing landscape for years to come.

Haaland's Personal Honours

European Golden Shoe (1)

2022/2023

Austrian Footballer of the Year (1)

2019

Bundesliga Player of the Season (1)

2020/2021

Bundesliga Team of the Season (2)

2020/2021, 2021/2022

FWA Football of the Year (1)

2022/2023

Premier League Player of the Season (1)

2022/2023

Premier League Young Player of the Season (1)

2022/2023

Premier League Golden Boot (1)

2022/2023

Golden Boy

2020

Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year (1)

2020

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2)

2020/2021, 2022/2023

UEFA Champions League Top Scorer (2)

2020/2021, 2022/2023

UEFA Nations League Top Scorer (2)

2020/2021, 2022/2023

FIFA FIFPRO World XI (2)

2021, 2022

Manchester City Player of the Season (1)

2022/2023

The South Australia pace bowler gave Australia captain Steven Smith a thorough working-over in the Shield fixture last week, and is focused on staying fit and pitching in good performances to stay in contention

Daniel Brettig01-Nov-2017Not many job candidates get the chance to duel face-to-face with their prospective boss, but that’s more or less exactly the scenario that confronted fast bowler Chadd Sayers in Adelaide when bowling to the Australia captain Steven Smith in a Sheffield Shield match last week.Sayers now believes a striking spell to defeat Smith should hold him in good stead for selection discussions during an Ashes summer in which there is only a slim chance of the hosts’ pace-bowling line-up remaining unchanged throughout the five Tests.On day one of the floodlit Shield fixture between South Australia and New South Wales, Sayers gave Smith a thorough working over, squaring him up repeatedly with deliveries moving away from the bat and then pinning him lbw in the first innings by running one back the other way towards middle stump. Smith’s anger at his dismissal was plain to see, but Sayers hopes the episode will be looked kindly upon in coming weeks by Smith and the national coach and selector Darren Lehmann, who was also in attendance at Adelaide Oval.”It was nice to get a couple decent wickets, especially Steven Smith to show him the stuff I have to offer I guess,” Sayers said in Adelaide. “You’ve got to play hard against him and show him what you’ve got. To get him out like I did was good for my prospects of playing Test cricket. He’s only the captain, not a selector, so it was nothing personal, he’s a great bloke and I get along with him well.”Sayers has been close to Australian selection twice before: first, he was a part of the Test squad that went to New Zealand in February 2016, and then when he was 12th man in the day-night Test against South Africa in Adelaide late last year. In both cases it was the tightest of calls between Sayers and Jackson Bird, but the Redbacks’ crafty spearhead is optimistic that this time things could fall his way in the event of injuries during the Test summer.”I want to play at the highest level I can, and the next level up is Australia,” Sayers said. “I’ve just got to keep putting my best foot forward and putting performances on the board for South Australia and trying to win games.”I know the big three quicks are going to get the first crack at it. I’m just going to keep putting performances on the board, help South Australia win and be fit and firing if the opportunity comes. I’d like to think that I’d be in the mix of one or two [next in line].”Less forthcoming was the West Australian Nathan Coulter-Nile, who also bowled well in the opening Shield round, as part of the Warriors attack which razed Tasmania for 63, and added some more than handy lower-order runs as well. Despite his strong displays on the recent limited-overs tour of India, Coulter-Nile was adamant that Bird remained ahead of him in the queue.”Absolutely not, unless something drastic happens to the three big quicks,” Coulter-Nile said in Perth when asked whether he thought he would play in the Ashes. “Also Birdy [Jackson Bird]. We saw Birdy bowl out here and he was unbelievable. I hadn’t seen him bowl in a while, he was difficult to face all game. Those four have probably got the first crack at it but five Tests in a row is hard work so hopefully I can be there or thereabouts when the time comes.”Another potential Test aspirant is Daniel Hughes, the New South Wales left-hander thrust onto centre stage when Smith chose to drop last season’s leading Shield runmaker, Ed Cowan, to make room for the 28-year-old. In Adelaide, Hughes vindicated the decision by making an important 57 at No. 6 to ensure the Blues built a match-winning first-innings advantage, and indicated that the whole episode had given him pause as to his international readiness.”It’s a long list of guys for that no. 6 spot in the first Test, isn’t it, so it’ll be interesting to see who they go with,” Hughes said. “I’m ready. I’m 28 now, I’ve been playing professional cricket for six years. I’m more mature now, I’m ready to go – I’ve never been more ready for an opportunity if I get it.”It was a bit surprise when I heard [Smith] him say that [Hughes had Test potential]. The whole Ed Cowan thing was a surprise to me as well; he played extremely well last year and he’s played well for a number of years now. Ed’s scored lots of runs, and I’m in good form so it was nice to get the nod from the captain. I actually got a text off him [Cowan] before the game. He said, I know it’s been a bit of a circus the last week but I want you to know that I wish you all the best and I hope that you do go out there and score a 100 and put your name in lights.”

Leeds United may have been dealt a recent transfer hammer blow, but Daniel Farke could react quickly given the plethora of alternative options that have revealed themselves throughout the window…

Is Tyler Adams leaving Leeds United?

Naturally, the news that Chelsea had triggered Tyler Adams' release clause came as a huge disappointment to the fanbase, who will now likely see one of their key stars depart for pastures new.

However, the £20m gained is a huge fee for reinvestment at this level, given how big of a hit Ethan Ampadu has already proven to be having joined for just an £7m fee.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

So, in an effort to immediately replace the energy and defensive rigidity that the United States international offered, perhaps the Whites could seek to reignite their interest in West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby.

The 24-year-old has just two years left on his £17k-per-week deal, and therefore Football Transfers value him at €4.6m (£4m).

Is Jayson Molumby any good?

Before delving into what the Republic of Ireland international would offer, it is first worth noting exactly what Elland Road will be losing with the exit of Adams.

Having signed for £20m from RB Leipzig, the 24-year-old brought a wealth of experience at a level far beyond the one they were currently at. Given his youth, his acquisition was also expected to provide a foundation for years of success, with his tough-tackling and all-action midfield style at the core.

However, last campaign went completely awry, and as three managers passed in and out of Elland Road within just one year, they eventually fell to the drop.

That's not to suggest the midfield ace was in any way to blame though, as he was, according to Sofascore, the best-performing player from within that squad, of those that featured in five or more league games.

His 6.98 average rating was more than admirable, with his one key pass and 3.7 tackles per game a stellar return for such a poor outfit, via Sofascore.

However, such excellence does not make him irreplaceable, and in fact, the money his sale is set to bring in could easily bolster numerous positions, with his direct replacement the cheapest of the lot.

Molumby's potential move would offer vast experience of a different kind, given he boasts 126 Championship appearances despite his youth.

He is young, hungry and tireless in the engine room, offering the perfect template to emulate Adams.

Not only this, but his figures from last season's push for the play-off spots also showcase similarities with the outbound star, given his 6.81 average rating fed into his eight goal contributions, 86% pass accuracy and 1.4 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

He is certainly a work in progress, but it is clear that he too shares that defensive steel alongside creativity that could allow him to reach the levels of his predecessor.

His boss Carlos Corberan sought to emphasise his work rate too, noting: "It’s important for every player to go on to the pitch when they’re in the first XI with the mentality to compete, this is what Molumby is doing. He is working as an animal and that’s what football demands of you."

With a skillset tailored to star in English football, but a touch of class that will set him apart from most others in his role, Molumby has the talent and the youth to mark an instant, cut-price replacement for the outbound Adams.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is keen to 'mould' a key summer transfer target into a 'star' at Anfield under his stewardship, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Romeo Lavia coming to Liverpool or moving elsewhere?

According to Sky Sports News, Liverpool's pursuit of Lavia, who has been hailed as a "shining star", is under threat after Chelsea stole a march on their Premier League rivals by submitting a bid in the region of £48 million for the Belgium international.

Southampton have stood firm on their £50 million valuation of Lavia during the window; however, Chelsea's offer is close enough to their asking price that negotiations could continue between both parties.

Nevertheless, journalist Neil Jones has claimed in his column for Caught Offside that he thinks Liverpool will eventually thrash out the terms of a deal to land Lavia, as he suggested: "The plus side is that he clearly has a high ceiling, his wages are relatively low and he wants to come to Liverpool. My feeling is that a compromise will be found, but it probably should have been found already."

Liverpool have had three separate bids of £34 million plus £4 million in add-ons, £42 million and £46 million rejected for Lavia and remain around £4 million short of his asking price as the window veers into its final stretch, as per The Independent.

Lavia is yet to feature for Southampton this term and was an unused substitute in Southampton's Sky Bet Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday last Friday as speculation continues to rumble on regarding his future on the South Coast

However, he did impress onlookers last campaign making 34 appearances in all competitions for Southampton, registering one goal and a solitary assist in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones believes that Reds boss Klopp is keen to mould Lavia into an elite midfielder at Anfield.

Jones stated: “The benching [in Southampton’s Championship opener at Sheffield Wednesday] was a signal of the ongoing saga, and we have now reached the point of bidding where I was told Saints would start to cave in, and I think Liverpool have an awareness of that, or they would not be creeping up so gradually.

“They are expecting something to give in these negotiations so that they win the bidding and get the player closer to the terms they were hoping for all along.

“I think it’s important with this Lavia deal that we realise too that he won’t solve all of Liverpool’s problems. He would not make up for the departures of Fabinho and Henderson. There will be a major void of experience in the middle of the park, but of course, he is still a wonderful player that Klopp wants to get hold of and mould into a Liverpool star.”

Who else could Liverpool target this summer?

According to Sky Sports News, Liverpool have made contact with Brighton & Hove Albion regarding Moises Caicedo, though Chelsea are deemed to be frontrunners to sign the Ecuador international.

Bayern Munich are another side mooted to be keen on Caicedo and his potential next steps could become clearer as soon as this weekend.

Calciomercato report that Liverpool, Crystal Palace and West Ham United are looking to strike a deal for Torino defender Perr Schuurs before the end of the window.

The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has claimed that Liverpool defender Nat Phillips could be on his way out of Anfield and may end up at Leeds United.

The West Indies coach said he was pleased with the day’s proceedings in Bulawayo, despite a dearth of wickets after an early burst

Liam Brickhill in Bulawayo29-Oct-2017West Indies coach Stuart Law praised his seamers for a strong early effort in “arctic conditions” at the start of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. While the mercury was as high as 38 degrees Celsius earlier this week, temperatures plummeted in the days before the game and dropped as low as 13 degrees today.”In these conditions, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s hard work,” Law said. “You’ve got to concentrate. All in all I thought our seamers bowled well up front in arctic conditions.”West Indies’ quicks nipped three of Zimbabwe’s top order out inside the first hour of play, and they might also have removed Hamilton Masakadza early on had it not been for a no-ball from Shannon Gabriel. Law rued the missed opportunity, saying: “We had a wicket off a no-ball which has hurt us. We need to rectify that. We have spoken about it because it has happened quite often. We’ve just got to make sure we don’t do it again.”The error from Gabriel aside, there wasn’t a lot wrong with West Indies’ effort and Law singled out Kemar Roach for particular praise. Roach, who has taken 14 wickets in his last four Tests before this one, removed both Solomon Mire and Brendan Taylor in his opening spell.”He’s leading our attack,” Law said. “He’s our most experienced bowler and has the most wickets as well. He’s had some time out of the game as well, so it’s good to see him back in. He’s bowled superbly for us in England, thought he bowled well in the first Test and exceptionally well again this morning.”In conditions suited to spin bowling, it was thought that Devendra Bishoo would also prove a handful for Zimbabwe, especially after his nine-wicket haul in the first Test. He struggled in the cold, however, and went wicketless on the first day despite the turn on offer. “Bishoo struggled to get his hands warm so it didn’t quite come out for him,” Law explained. “The wicket is spinning square before lunch on day one again. It’s probably not an ideal five-day wicket, but it is what it is.”With Gabriel nursing what appeared to be some tightness in his hamstring, and Jason Holder also leaving the field during the day, West Indies turned to some of their part-time bowlers. Jermaine Blackwood came on as first change, while Roston Chase’s offspinners were used far more extensively than they had been in the first innings of the first Test.”The wickets aren’t going to be anywhere near conducive to seam bowling, so we’ve got to keep our seamers fresh,” Law explained. “It’s not about winning the game on day one, there are four more to go. If we blow them out in the first hour and a half of the first day we’re not going to set ourselves up well. Using Jermaine Blackwood for a period of time, although not the way I would have gone, he came on and did a good job. Went for eight runs off four overs, couple of plays and misses.”There was little further joy for West Indies after their early breakthroughs, with Hamilton Masakadza and PJ Moor putting on 142 for the fourth wicket, but Law remained hopeful that West Indies could reassert themselves on day two.”Take nothing away from Hamilton and Pete Moor, they dug in and put up a good partnership. They had a bit of luck – Hamilton with the no-ball – but he’s certainly played well. He hits the ball well and on wickets like these he’s tough to contain as well. We know that at times there are going to be partnerships, we’ve just got to hang in and get a wicket. We saw in the first Test that if you get one or two you can start a rot. Fingers crossed we can start one tomorrow.”

Everton are interested in raiding Southampton for winger Kamaldeen Sulemana following the south coast club's relegation from the Premier League.

What transfers have Everton made?

Sean Dyche has admitted that his side have missed out on several key targets this summer but has completed the signing of Ashley Young on a free transfer and the loan capture of Arnaut Danjuma.

With talented teenage striker Youssef Chermiti also nearing a transfer to Goodison Park for around £13m, the summer reassemble is taking shape.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

And now, according to the Daily Mail, the Toffees are poised to shift their attention to Sulemana after Leeds United rejected a £15m offer for Wilfried Gnonto.

Sulemana signed for Saints for £22m in January but now could look for a swift departure after the side's relegation, and the Merseyside outfit could now offer a lifeline.

How good is Kamaldeen Sulemana?

There would perhaps be some doubts over forging ahead with a move to sign Sulemana for Everton, with the Ghanaian gem only scoring twice – both on the final day of the season against Liverpool – and assisting once from 18 appearances.

Despite this, Sulemana is a high-speed vehicle and would undoubtedly improve the Toffees' ability to drive into dangerous areas and pump life and energy into the system, having ranked among the top 20% of attacking midfielders and wingers for total shots and the top 1% for progressive carries per 90 over the last year, as per FBref.

The £10k-per-week dynamo was once praised for bringing "power and depth" and for his "incredible speed" by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag – then in charge of Ajax – and given this, partnered with his illustrated skill in carrying the ball up the pitch, he could serve as Dyche's very own version of Wilfried Zaha.

Zaha is listed as the 21-year-old's most comparable player on FBref, and would by no means be a poor choice to emulate, given his dazzling exploits with Crystal Palace over the past decade, scoring 90 goals and supplying 76 assists from 458 appearances for the Eagles.

Having joined Turkish giants Galatasaray this summer upon the expiry of his contract at Selhurst Park, Zaha leaves having been praised as "unstoppable" by Clinton Morrison and "unplayable" by talkSPORT's Tony Cascarino.

Himself ranking among the top 24% of positional peers for total shots, the top 20% for successful take-ons and the top 13% for touches in the attacking box per 90, Sulemana has already found the blueprint, now is time for the application.

Everton, for their part, will be hoping that a prospective move for Sulemana would open up a myriad of attacking avenues this season after only just surviving the drop on the final game of the campaign, Abdoulaye Doucoure's second-half striker against Bournemouth on the final day enough to relegate Leicester City.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers scored fewer strikes than the Blues' 34, and it is imperative that the summer strategy is on the money if a third successive campaign at the pit of the Premier League table is to be avoided.

Sulemana could be the precocious, dynamite prospect to have the desired effect and unlock the potential of this Everton side, perhaps adopting a talismanic mantle in the future, just like Zaha at Crystal Palace.

In an unprecedented move by a Bangladesh cricketer, the allrounder has requested time off apparently to prolong his international career

Mohammad Isam10-Sep-2017Shakib Al Hasan has submitted a letter to the BCB requesting a break from Test cricket for six months. The board will discuss the matter on Monday afternoon, hours before it is scheduled to announce the South Africa-bound Test squad.ESPNcricinfo has learned the BCB has taken the matter seriously and is considering giving Shakib a shortened break, and is likely to ask him to be available for the Sri Lanka Tests at home in late December. Shakib apparently wants the break to prolong his international career.”Shakib has submitted a letter to the BCB asking for a six-month break from Test cricket,” Jalal Yunus, BCB’s media committee chairman, confirmed.Over the next six months, Bangladesh have four Tests scheduled, two each against South Africa and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh play three ODIs and two T20s during the South Africa tour while there are ODIs and T20s also scheduled against Sri Lanka. Shakib will be available for the limited-overs series.The letter is an unprecedented move by a Bangladesh cricketer. Shakib has been Bangladesh’s most consistent performer in the team in the last 10 years, and, since 2011, he has also become a regular in the franchise-based T20 leagues. He is currently the No. 1 ranked allrounder in cricket across the three formats.

Celtic have enjoyed an impressive week in the transfer market as they have been able to add three new players to the squad ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership opener next month.

Who have Celtic signed this summer?

Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Hyun-jun Yang, and Maik Nawrocki have all joined the club over the last five days, which means that Brendan Rodgers has five fresh additions to work with so far.

Australia international Marco Tilio and Norwegian maestro Odin Thiago Holm had already been snapped up by the Glasgow giants earlier this summer to bolster the Northern Irish tactician's options in midfield.

That does not appear to be the end of the club's business before September's deadline, though, as the ex-Liverpool boss is eyeing a new player between the sticks.

It was recently reported that the Hoops remain interested in a deal to sign Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who is also being pursued by Fenerbahce.

The Turkish giants had agreed a €9m (£7.7m) deal for the experienced shot-stopper earlier this month but they are yet to get the move over the line, which has seemingly opened up the door for the Scottish side.

How good is Dominik Livakovic?

During the 2022/23 campaign, the 28-year-old titan proved his quality with a string of outstanding performances for club and country.

His arrival at Parkhead would allow Rodgers to brutally ditch one of his current first-team goalkeepers – Scott Bain – as he already has three options at his disposal in Joe Hart, Benjamin Siegrist, and the 31-year-old Scot.

Livakovic averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.93 across 35 HNL matches for Dinamo last term. He saved 74% of the attempts on his goal and did not make a single error leading to a shot or goal for the opposition in the Croatian top-flight.

The £7.7m-rated ace also showcased his quality on the biggest stage at the World Cup last year, which led to his manager Zlatko Dalic hailing him as "fantastic".

Croatia made it to the semi-finals of the tournament and the 6 foot 2 colossus played a significant role in their progress with an average Sofascore rating of 7.33 across seven appearances, which included three saves in two penalty shootouts against Japan and Brazil.

Meanwhile, current first-choice Joe Hart averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.77 across 37 Premiership matches and Bain, who could be ejected from the squad as a result of Livakovic's possible arrival, recorded a score of 6.1 for his display against Hibernian in May.

The £7.6k-per-week dud made one mistake that directly led to a goal for the opposition and conceded four goals from five shots on target, as the Hoops lost 4-2.

His contract at Parkhead is due to expire next summer and Celtic could attempt to part ways with him now, whether that is by mutual consent or by finding a club to take him off their hands, if they are able to get another goalkeeper in to take over from Hart.

Livakovic's impressive displays for Dinamo and Croatia suggest that the quality is there for him to come in and be Rodgers' new no.1 option, which would leave the former England international as the number two, and Bain could be the fourth choice in that position.

There does not seem to be much sense in keeping four first-team goalkeepers on the books when you consider that Hart played 37 of the 38 league games last season, and that is why Rodgers must brutally ditch the Scottish liability with the signing of Livakovic.

Queensland legspinner Mitchell Swepson has been named as a late addition to Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-2017Queensland legspinner Mitchell Swepson has been named as a late addition to Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.Swepson, who was part of the Test squad in India earlier this year but did not make his debut, has taken 41 wickets at 32.82 in his 14-game first-class career.When the Australia selectors named the squad in June, they chose only 13 players and allowed that they would add one further player closer to the tour, in place of the injured Mitchell Starc.However, instead of choosing another fast bowler, the selectors went for Swepson, who will add a different spinning option to a squad already boasting offspinner Nathan Lyon, left-armer Ashton Agar, and offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell.Only three frontline fast bowlers will make the tour – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson – along with the medium-pace allrounder Hilton Cartwright.”We are comfortable with the fast-bowling stocks we have in the squad so have opted to add an additional spinner given the conditions we are likely to face in Bangladesh,” national selector Trevor Hohns said. “Mitchell is a very exciting young legspinner who we think will benefit immensely from further experience in the sub-continent.”Australia squad Steven Smith (capt), David Warner (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson.

Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over at the club, Wrexham have enjoyed the Hollywood treatment, with fireworks on and off the pitch, culminating in promotion back to the Football League.

Now in League Two, manager Phil Parkinson and co will be hoping to earn back-to-back promotions next season in what would be an incredible campaign. With the summer transfer window well underway, too, they could yet welcome reinforcements to stick to the script of potential glory.

So far this summer, the Welsh club have welcomed Will Boyle from Championship outfit Huddersfield Town, representing quite the coup for the League Two side.

What's more, in an exciting new development, a change in the rules regarding players receiving visas could see Wrexham target players in America, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What did Ben Jacobs say about Wrexham?

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Jacobs said: "A rule change in terms of getting visas also allows Wrexham to now explore the US market as well.

"So I would keep an eye on that, to see whether Wrexham bring on board any American players. That might be one to watch over the coming weeks."

Of course, the club have been spending part of their pre-season in America, squaring up against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, so they would have had plenty of time to potentially take a look at the talent on show around them.

The new rule will allow them to bring in a certain number of players who do not meet the requirements for work permits. Premier League and Championship sides can sign up to four such players, whilst League One and League Two sides can sign up to two.

As of right now, it remains to be seen just who walks through the door at Wrexham this summer, but the rule change at least gives them the chance to really explore the talent in America.

How much are Wrexham worth?

Paying a reported £2m for the club back in 2021, Reynolds and McElhenney have since seen their investment go up in value. The club is now reportedly worth 300% more than the initial price that the Hollywood stars paid in 2021.

It's no wonder that the club has increased to such a level, in truth, following their National League win, with sponsorship deals such as the one with Tiktok also helping financially.

The fact is, Reynolds and McElhenney's continued presence, alongside Wrexham's success on the pitch, has quickly started to awaken a sleeping giant in English football.

Those at the club will hope to take things up another level next season, as they seek consecutive promotions. If they can get to League One, they'd be just two promotions away from the Premier League.

To go from the National League to the third tier of English football in the space of only a handful of seasons would feel like one of the quickest rises in English football history.

They've got the star power in the stands to do it. Now, it remains to be seen whether Parkinson can welcome the right personnel to get the job done on the pitch for the Welsh side on the up.