Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci has expressed his admiration for outgoing Bianconeri and Italy team-mate Giorgio Chiellini.
Chiellini confirmed after the 4-2 Coppa Italia final loss to Inter in midweek that this season will be his last for Juve, who the 37-year-old has played for since 2004 and won 20 trophies during his time in Turin.
The veteran defender has already announced he will retire from international duty with Italy as well after a meeting with Argentina at Wembley Stadium on June 1.
It will be a fitting end for Chiellini after he lifted the Euro 2020 title at Wembley following a penalty shoot-out victory over England last July alongside long-time team-mate Bonucci.
Reports in Italy suggest Chiellini may opt to play in MLS before taking his vast experience into management or a coaching role.
Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Bonucci will take the captain's armband at Juve for the next campaign, and the centre-back was quick to heap praise on his colleague Chiellini.
The defensive duo won eight Serie A titles together and claimed the Coppa Italia five times, while they also helped Juve reach the Champions League final in 2015 and 2017.
Bonucci posted on Instagram: "Dear Giorgio, where to start?
"I think it has to be from the end. Today is your day and the day the team, these colours, this dressing room starts to miss you. You have been an example, a guidance, a brother, a friend.
"We have shared more than 10 years together, we have rejoiced, we have suffered, we have worked hard, we have closed ranks together, we have fought, we have WON.
"Won a lot with Juve, won something unique with Italy. Being on the pitch alongside you, for me, has been a privilege, an honour. Off the pitch even more so. I have learned from you to be ready for anything.
"Best of luck to you, legend, for what's to come. Whatever it is, you will always do it as the top of the class.
"The invisible piece of rope which followed us onto the pitch will keep us tied together forever in my football battles, in the victories and in the more difficult moments.
"Thank you, captain. I love you."
A clash with Lazio at the Allianz Stadium on Monday will be Chiellini's final home appearance for the Old Lady.
Thilo Kehrer’s excitement rises ahead of the chance to achieve his West Ham goal
Thilo Kehrer has urged his team to write their names into the West Ham history books by winning the Europa Conference League final.
The Hammers face mid-table Serie A side Fiorentina in Prague on Wednesday night with the aim of lifting their first major piece of silverware for 43 years.
The 1980 FA Cup was their most recent major trophy while their solitary success in Europe was clinching the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.
Kehrer is determined for West Ham to finish the job at the end of a rollercoaster season that produced a 14th-placed finish in the Premier League.
“Making history is being in the final, we know that. Now our focus and vision is completing the goal,” Germany defender Kehrer said.
“I said it at the beginning of the season without knowing how the season would go, bringing a title to West Ham is a big goal.
“We have the squad and quality to do it, so we’re very confident going into this final. We’re focused completely on the final.
“You can feel the excitement of the fans and everybody around the club. There’s great excitement and for us players it’s great to be in that place. We’re enjoying it and will prepare to the best of our abilities.
“We feel the support of every one of our fans. We are aware of all the people who are supporting us, they are behind us and cheering us on. We are very glad about that. We are taking that energy with us to Prague.
“We’re happy for everyone who will be at the stadium but also for everybody around back here, we’ll give our best for them.”
West Ham’s 10-day gap between the climax to the Premier League season and their European final enabled David Moyes to take the squad to Portugal for a short training camp.
Apart from fine tuning their preparations for next week’s Eden Arena showdown, the players were given the freedom to play golf and visit a local water park.
“We had some time together in a different place to usual, which helps to mix things up,” Kehrer said.
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“We relaxed a little bit but it also gave us some time together to regroup. We will try to use it as an advantage.
“We’ve bonded well as a group this season. We used the last few days to grow even more and get even more team spirit so that everyone is focused on the goal.”
Kehrer’s form since his £10million move from PSG last summer has been patchy, but the 26-year-old insists he has learned during his first season at West Ham.
“I’ve taken some experience from the differences of the Premier League to other leagues – the intensity, the speed, the duels, the competitiveness,” he said.
“This season I’ve become more complete by feeding off that experience. I can’t wait for what’s coming next.”
Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard agrees to sell club to SE7 Partners
Charlton have announced that owner Thomas Sandgaard has agreed to sell the club to SE7 Partners.
A share purchase agreement has been signed and the two parties are now working with the EFL as they seek approval for a takeover of the League One outfit.
Charlton CEO Peter Storrie told the club’s official website: “A deal has been agreed and a share purchase agreement has been signed by Thomas Sandgaard and SE7 Partners.
“We’ll now work with SE7 Partners and the EFL to meet the league requirements, which is a process that can take some time.
“In the meantime, the day-to-day running of the club will not be impacted. Our preparation and recruitment for the 2023/24 season is well under way. We have our targets for our men’s team and our women’s team.
“Led by Dean Holden and Karen Hills, those plans continue to progress and will not be halted while we await the approval.
“The aim is to put the club in the best position to achieve our targets for next season – a top-six finish for the men’s team and further progression for the women’s team.”
Former Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven and banker Edward Warrick are listed at Companies House as directors of SE7 Partners Limited.
Charlton finished 10th in the third tier last season, 15 points adrift of the play-off places.
Robbie Deas ‘determined to kick on’ at Kilmarnock after signing from Inverness
Kilmarnock have made their first summer signing by bringing in centre-back Robbie Deas from Inverness.
The 23-year-old revealed on Saturday that the Scottish Cup final had been his final game for Caley Thistle and Deas has now signed a two-year contract with Killie.
The left-sided defender joined Inverness from Celtic in the summer of 2020 and made 113 appearances, bouncing back from a broken leg earlier in the season to help the club reach the cup final.
The former Scotland Under-21 international told Killie’s website: “I fully understand the size of this club and the demands that will be placed on me as a player, so I’m excited about taking this step in my career.
“It was inspiring to speak with the manager about his ambitions for the club and it became clear that Kilmarnock would be a perfect fit for me.
“I’m determined to kick on and do my best for the manager and supporters over the next two years.”
Killie announced on Saturday that Fraser Murray had agreed a two-year contract and Innes Cameron had signed a one-year deal after returning to fitness before the end of the campaign.
Alan Power, Blair Alston, Chris Stokes, Scott Robinson, Calum Waters, Lee Hodson and Dylan McGowan are all departing at the end of their deals while loan players Jordan Jones, Lewis Mayo, Luke Chambers, Zach Hemming, Ben Chrisene, Christian Doidge, Ryan Alebiosu and Jeriel Dorsett have all left.
The club remain in discussions with Ash Taylor, Liam Polworth, Brad Lyons, Jack Sanders, Sam Walker and Liam Donnelly.
Manager Derek McInnes said: “While discussions are ongoing with a number of players, I would like to take the opportunity to thank departing members of the squad for their effort and commitment.”
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