Wolves and Nigeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has announced his retirement from football.
The 32-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2017 but confirmed last month he is in remission.
Following advice from medical experts, Ikeme has now decided to end his playing career.
Ikeme joined Wolves in 2000 as a 14-year-old and made 274 domestic career appearances in all competitions, 200 of which came for the Molineux club.
Thank you for the support over the years, Ikeme wrote on Twitter.
The unite in support of .
— Wolves (@Wolves)
My last day as a footballer. But one I am happy and grateful for!!!
Thanks to everyone to do with Wolves and everyone in football I have met.
Speaking to the club s official…
Former Japan, AC Milan and CSKA Moscow attacker Keisuke Honda has moved to A-League champions Melbourne Victory.
Honda joins Australian titleholders Victory on a one-year marquee deal after leaving Mexican side Pachuca, it was announced on Monday.
The 32-year-old, who scored 37 goals in 98 appearances for the Blue Samurai, retired from international football following Japan s last-16 exit at the World Cup.
Honda, the only Japanese player to score at three World Cups, said: I am so happy to join the Melbourne Victory.
The wait is over! ついにこの日が来ました。
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc)
When I knew they were interested in me, one week later after the World Cup. I really like to do new challenge that s me.
So …
Portsmouth as we all know are now relegated from the Premier Leaguue but still have the chance of FA Cup glory against Chelsea in next month’s FA Cup final.
The likelihood of any of their players still being at Pompey next season is slim.
Finances
The clubs financial difficulties have been well documented and this summer they will have to cut their wage bill down to Championship levels.
That means the few players who are contracted to the club are likely to leave to reduce the still massive wage bill.
Loan
The vast majority of Portsmouth’s best players are only on loan at the club. They will return to their parent clubs this summer. Their star players such as Jamie O’Hara, Frederic Piquionne and Hassan Yebda are likely to find new c…
Ligue 2 side Ajaccio have completed the signing of defender Mody Traore on loan from Valenciennes till the end of the season. The 29 year old right back, elder brother of Lakhwiya defender Dame Traore, joined Valenciennes from AS Nancy back in 2001 but has not made a single appearance for VAFC this season in Ligue 1.
Valenciennes are currently 10th in Ligue 1 at this moment with 31 points from 21 games. Philippe Montanier s men are ahead of the likes of PSG, Sochaux and St.Etienne in the table, and are at home to Sochaux this weekend.
Traore s last league appearance for the club came in May 2009 against St.Etienne, a match that his side lost 4-0.
Ajaccio are currently seventh in Ligue 2. Traore could make his debut for them on Friday against Strasbourg.
…
Let us for a moment consider the idea that, one day, the sun might poof out and that the surface air of the earth will vanish in the process. Let us suppose that the remnants of humanity will flee below the earth’s surface, where the core remains surprisingly warm. Furthermore, let us imagine that humanity will embrace a vaguely steampunk aesthetic straight out of Dishonored in the process and that, even with all that’s happened, some folks will find the time to express the desire that their home be painted in garish hues of red, green, and blue. Considering the circumstances, it’s a pretty uplifting message, isn’t it? That’s the world that Traverser presents us, and it has all the ingredients of a scrappy adventure that can grab the hearts of millions in a way that the most blockbuster…
Jose Mourinho expects Zlatan Ibrahimovic s contract extension at Manchester United to be finalised soon.
The 35-year-old striker continued his exceptional recent form with a goal his 50th at club level in 2016 and two assists on Monday as United defeated David Moyes Sunderland 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Mourinho confirmed last month that he was keen to take up the option to extend the Swede s one-season deal by a further yearand he foresees no problem in ironing out the details.
Asked if the agreement to extend his stay had been activated, Mourinho added: Not yet, but it s activated in his brain and in my decisions and also in the owners and the board. So no problem.
I m not really surprised [by his form] because he s a very intelligent guy, a very proud man…
Richard Wright has signed a new one-year deal with Manchester City, .
The former England international moved to the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2012, but is yet to make his debut for the club, with Joe Hart and Willy Caballero currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
Prior to his switch to the Citizens, Wright was at Preston North End though he left the club one week into pre-season training having not played for them either.
He made just shy of three hundred league appearances across three spells with Ipswich Town while he won a Premier League title with Arsenal in 2001/02 – his only season with the club.
The 37 year old has also played for Everton, West Ham United and Sheffield United, as well as having a spell on loan with Southampton se…
Stiliyan Petrov is unsurprised by Aston Villa s struggles in the Premier League this season, believing questionable recruitment is a main factor.
Villa sit 18th in the table ahead of Manchester United s visit on Thursday, with Dean Smith s side four points off safety.
However, ex-Villa captain Petrov is in no way surprised by the club s perilous position, and the former midfielder cited the recruitment of inexperienced players as a major issue for Villa.
I m not surprised. I remember at the start of the season saying it was a big task for them, Petrov told Stats Perform News.
Recruitment and prep, they were way behind everybody else. It was expected. It doesn t look promising.
[These are] challenging times for the club and for fans, like me. I …
Barcelona are interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba next summer on a free transfer, according to . Pogba is out of contract at United at the end of next season, although talks are going on over a new deal.
Should the World Cup winner with France decide to leave United next summer, then Barcelona will reportedly try to bring him to Camp Nou on a free transfer. The Spanish and European giants remain keen on signing players on free transfer after landing Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay in the summer transfer window.
Pogba is one of the best midfielders in the world and is at the top of his game at the age of 28. The midfielder would be a great signing for Barcelona, especially as a free transfer.
…
(GSM) Brazilian playmaker Kaka has supported Real Madrid s pursuit of his national team-mate Maicon while welcoming new coach Jose Mourinho to the Bernabeu.
Mourinho, who was appointed as Manuel Pellegrini s successor after winning the Treble with Internazionale, has immediately targeted Nerazzurri right-back Maicon as a key transfer target.
The 28-year-old is currently preparing for the World Cup finals and Kaka would be pleased to see his international colleague return with him to Madrid following the conclusion of Brazil s campaign.
The team that signs Maicon has a sure success, Kaka said. I am not the person that has to take this kind of decision at Real but he s one of the best players in the world and if he joins us in Madrid I ll be happy.
Kaka,…