Mamadou Fall has completed a permanent transfer to Barcelona from Los Angeles FC, the MLS club confirmed on Monday. 

Fall initially joined the 27-time La Liga champions on loan last season, making 22 appearances for Barcelona Atletic, who play in the third tier of the Spanish league system.

The 21-year-old spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan with Villarreal's B team but made his name with the Black and Gold in the MLS. 

Fall arrived from Senegal to join the Montverde Academy as part of Sport4Charity, an organisation run by former Senegal international footballer Salif Diao. 

He signed a two-year contract with LAFC in 2021 and would go on to make 42 appearances in all competitions, registering six goals and one assist in that time. 

Barcelona's capture of the defender is not the first time they have signed a highly rated player from the MLS, having secured the services of Julian Araujo from LA Galaxy in 2023.

“Fall is a player with incredible potential and exceptional talent,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said.

“He began his professional journey at LAFC, and we are excited to see him join not only one of the top clubs in the world but also a great environment for his continued development.

"We wish him nothing but the best in his career at Barcelona.”

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has completed a move to Marseille. 

Hojbjerg, who made 184 appearances for Spurs, will join the Ligue 1 side initially on loan with the agreement including an obligation to buy for £17million.

The Denmark international made 39 appearances in all competitions during Ange Postecoglou's first season in charge, but only 10 were from the start. 

Hojbjerg had entered the final year of his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and is Roberto De Zerbi's fifth signing of the transfer window. 

The 28-year-old scored 10 times during his four years with Spurs, one of which came against his new employers in the Champions League to secure top spot in Group D back in 2022. 

Hojbjerg becomes the seventh player to leave the club, following the departures of Joe Rodon, Eric Dier, Tanguy Ndombele, Ivan Perisic, Japhet Tanganga and Ryan Sessegnon. 

Postecoglou continues his rebuild ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season and have registered their interest in Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey. 

Amadou Onana has completed a £50million move from Everton to Aston Villa. 

The Belgium midfielder, who recently represented his nation at Euro 2024, becomes Villa's second-most expensive player in history after Moussa Diaby.

Onana arrives at Villa Park following a two-year spell at Everton, where he made 72 appearances under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche.

The 22-year-old is Unai Emery's eighth major signing ahead of the 2024-25 season, as the Spaniard looks to bolster his squad ready to compete in the Champions League.

Ian Maatsen, Enzo Barrenechea, Samuel Iling-Junior and Lewis Dobbin have already moved to Villa in this window, while Ross Barkley, Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene have also returned to the club.

Onana could make his Villa debut on August 17 when they travel to West Ham for their opening match of the new Premier League season.

Ivan Rakitic has completed a permanent transfer to Hajduk Split following the termination of his contract by mutual consent at Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab. 

Rakitic, who made eight appearances for Vitor Pereira's side, leaves the club six months after joining from Sevilla in the January transfer window. 

The 36-year-old scored on his debut against Damac FC, but would miss much of the season through injury as Al-Shabab finished eighth in the league. 

Rakitic, who was born in Switzerland, joins the 15-time Croatian Football League champions on a year-long deal, with the option of a further year. 

The former Barcelona midfielder arrives at the club with great pedigree, having made 106 appearances for Croatia 12-year international career. 

Rakitic was part of Zlatko Dalic's side that reached the World Cup final in 2018, and has won 16 honours throughout his professional career at club level. 

Arsenal have confirmed the arrival of young goalkeeper Tommy Setford from Ajax for just under £1 million. 

Setford, who is an England youth international, arrives at the Emirates on a four-year deal, with the Gunners holding the option of a further 12 months. 

The 20-year-old had entered the final year of his contract with Ajax, with the Dutch club opting to sell rather than risk losing him on a free next year. 

Setford has been signed for the academy but will regularly train with the first team and will fly out to join Mikel Arteta's squad for their pre-season tour of the United States.

The young goalkeeper has opted for a move to the Premier League due to the pathway to first-team opportunities at Arsenal. 

Setford is the second teenage goalkeeper Arsenal have signed this transfer window, having already brought in Lucas Nygaard from Danish club FC Nordsjaelland.

During the 2023-24 season, Setford kept six clean sheets in 15 appearances for the Dutch club, conceding 15 goals in that time. 

“I want to thank Arsenal for this opportunity. I can’t wait to hit the ground running," Setford told Arsenal's official website. 

“I already know Ethan [Nwnaeri] and Myles [Lewis-Skelly]. They’re great guys and I can have a good laugh with them.

"I spent a few camps with them, so I know them well. I just saw them for a quick meet and greet!

“I’m looking forward to learning new things next season and pushing myself to another level.

"For the short term, it’s very important now to get a feel for the group and start to know everyone.” 

Benfica president Rui Costa has said that a bid has been tabled for the services of 19-year-old midfielder Joao Neves. 

Neves, who featured in Portugal's quarter-final run at Euro 2024, has been of interest to Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Arsenal. 

The midfielder made 55 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles last season, scoring three times and helping the club lift a ninth Portuguese Super Cup. 

Neves played just 77 minutes at the European Championships in Germany, but has attracted interest for his assured midfield displays at club level. 

The 19-year-old ranked second for most successful passes in the Primeira Liga (1794), only bettered by Sporting CP defender, Goncalo Inacio (2154). 

Neves has a €120million (£101 million) release clause in his contract, with Costa saying the club are discussing a bid that was made in the last few days, and that they would even be prepared to accept an offer below that valuation.

"I never said that Joao Neves would only leave for his release clause and therefore, those claims are false," Costa said, per A Bola.

"What I can say in relation to Joao Neves is that there is an offer on the table. That has been in the news in the last days but I’m not going to say where this proposal stands.

“There is a proposal on the table which is being evaluated and is being discussed. But at this moment, Joao Neves remains a Benfica player.

"It’s not that I want to hide the ins and outs because I understand that Benfica fans want to know whether Joao will be leaving or not.

“But at this moment, there are ongoing negotiations, so please allow me to be reserved about this subject so we can take care of what will be best outcome for Benfica.”

It would mark yet another huge financial sum received by the 38-time Primeira Liga champions in recent years. 

The likes of Enzo Fernandez, Darwin Nunez, Ruben Dias and Joao Felix have all made big money moves over the past five years, bringing in an estimated €404million.

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Serbia youth international Miodrag Pivas.

The 19-year-old defender, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, is the Magpies' fifth arrival ahead of the 2024-25 season, after Odysseas Vlachodimos, Lloyd Kelly, Lewis Hall and John Ruddy.

Pivas joins Newcastle from Jedinstvo, who he helped gain promotion to the Serbian Super Liga last term, while he has also turned out for Austrian sides Siezenheim and Grodig.

"It's absolutely unbelievable to join such a big club like Newcastle United and I cannot wait to get started," he told the club's official website. "I see the project of the club, and it looks great, which helped convince me to sign for Newcastle.

"I see the young players have developed very well here, and I would like to do the same - to develop and get into Newcastle's first team. I'm very excited."

Darren Eales, Newcastle's CEO, added: "Miodrag is a promising talent with high potential. Our recruitment network is continuing to watch young players like Miodrag around the world with a view to identifying and developing them into first-team players of the future.

"We are pleased to welcome him to Newcastle United, and we look forward to supporting his development at this important stage of his career."

Milan have completed the signing of Spain captain Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid.

The striker, who will wear the number seven shirt with the Rossoneri, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at San Siro, with the option of an additional year.

Morata is fresh from leading Spain to their record-breaking fourth European Championship triumph at Euro 2024, following a 2-1 victory over England in the final.

The 31-year-old becomes Paulo Fonseca's first major signing since replacing Stefano Pioli in the Milan dugout.

This will be Morata's second spell in Italy, having scored 59 goals in 185 appearances across two separate stints with Juventus, where he won successive Serie A titles in 2015 and 2016.

He could make his debut when Milan host Torino in their opening match of the 2024-25 season on August 17.

Aston Villa have re-signed Jaden Philogene from Hull City in a deal worth around £18million.

Philogene returns to Villa Park less than 12 months after departing for Hull, where he scored 12 goals in the Championship last season.

The winger came through the academy ranks at Villa, before making six senior appearances while also having loan spells with Stoke City and Cardiff City.

The England under-21 international is Unai Emery's fifth signing ahead of the 2024-25 season, following the arrivals of Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior from Juventus, along with Ross Barkley and Lewis Dobbin.

"It feels amazing, it's like I'm back at home," he told the club's official website. "Unai spoke to me face-to-face and we had a very good conversation about my playing time.

"He said I did well when I was here in pre-season last year and that I'm going to get chances this time. It also depends on me and how I play.

"It's the latest chapter in my Villa journey, and hopefully I can play my best, get game time and do it in front of the fans. What I did at Hull, I want to do the same things at Villa Park; make the fans aware of my skills and score goals.

"It's a dream come true. When I was a little boy, I wanted to play in the Champions League. I've always thought I want to be there one day and here I am."

Kasper Schmeichel has signed a one-year deal with Celtic, while reuniting with former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Denmark goalkeeper joins the reigning Scottish Premiership champions as a free agent after his departure from Belgian side Anderlecht, where he spent a single season.

Schmeichel, who also spent a year with Ligue 1 outfit Nice in 2022-23, brings plenty of experience to Celtic Park, following his 11-year stint with Leicester.

The 37-year-old helped the Foxes to their fairy-tale Premier League triumph in 2016, along with their FA Cup success five years later.

Rodgers was Schmeichel's coach in his final three years at the King Power Stadium, and both are excited to renew that working relationship.

"I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic and can't wait to get started," Schmeichel told the club's official website.

"Celtic is one of the world's proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success. Celtic is what football is all about. 

"I know Brendan very well, too. He is a top manager and someone I can't wait to work with again. 

"I'm really looking forward to meeting up with the boys [on their pre-season tour] in America and starting our work and then, of course, meeting our fans who bring so much to Celtic.

"I will be doing all I can to keep Celtic on top and bring these brilliant supporters more and more success."

"I am really pleased to bring Kasper to Celtic," Rodgers added. "He is a real quality keeper and someone with the ability and personality to be great for us.

"He is a guy I trust and someone who knows how to win. He lives for football, and he is coming to a club where he will feel the same passion that he has for the game.

"I know he will feel right at home at Celtic, and we look forward to working with him as we all aim for more success."

Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Rennes forward Martin Terrier in a deal worth around €20million.

The French forward has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the reigning Bundesliga champions.

Terrier is Xabi Alonso's third signing ahead of the 2024-25 season, joining Jeanuel Belocian and Aleix Garcia at BayArena.

The 27-year-old scored 42 goals across his last three seasons with Rennes, despite missing nine months of action with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

"It's been my wish to move to a big club abroad in Europe after seven years as a professional in France," he told the club's official website. 

"The fact I now get to show my skills with the German double winners is magnificent and a special motivation for me.

"Bayer 04 also made headlines in France with their achievements last season. It's fantastic to be a part of this team from now on."

"In Martin Terrier, we've gained a prolific, fast and intelligent forward," Leverkusen's managing director for sport, Simon Rolfes added.

"Martin is a strong finisher and versatile - a good footballer who fits into our team superbly with his profile. We're delighted he's decided to join us."

Manchester United have announced the signing of highly rated 18-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille.

United are reported to have paid the French club an initial £52.2million (€62m), a fee that could rise to £58.9m (€70m).

The move, which is subject to registration, sees Yoro sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option for a further year.

"Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour," Yoro said.

"Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project and showed a lot of care for me and my family.

"I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started."

Yoro made just 46 appearances in Ligue 1, 38 as a starter, and had only a year remaining on his Lille contract, but Real Madrid were said to be keen on the exciting young defender.

So United, who have been looking to sign at least one centre-back in this transfer window, have made their move, pipping Madrid and other potential suitors.

Erik ten Hag's side have also been linked with moves for Jarrad Branthwaite and Matthijs de Ligt and could yet return to the market to further bolster their defence.

For now, United manager Ten Hag can look forward to pairing Yoro with Lisandro Martinez, who missed a large part of last season due to injury.

What will Yoro bring?

Martinez's absence impacted United's ability to play out from the back, having replaced long-standing goalkeeper David de Gea with Andre Onana in a bid to improve their build-up play.

Despite his inexperience, Yoro should be able to have an immediate impact in that regard, showing his ability on the ball last season as he completed 92.1% of his passes in Ligue 1.

Among United players to attempt multiple passes in the Premier League in 2023-24, only Martinez himself (92.2%) could top that mark.

Harry Maguire, who made more starts than any other centre-back (18) for an injury-ravaged team, trailed considerably in that metric, completing just 83.1% of his passes.

Yoro does not yet dominate physically like Maguire or Raphael Varane in a defensive sense, but he has been compared to the France World Cup winner by Lille's academy director Jean-Michel Vandamme.

Dan Ashworth, United's sporting director, said on Thursday: "He possesses every attribute needed to develop into a top-class centre-back."

Manchester City have completed the signing of Savinho from Troyes on a five-year deal.

The Brazil international is Pep Guardiola's first arrival ahead of the 2024-25 season, in which City will look to extend their unprecedented four-year hold on the Premier League trophy.

Savinho played a key role during a loan spell with Girona last term, his 11 goals and 10 assists helping them to a third-place finish in LaLiga and qualification to the Champions League for the first time in their history.

The 20-year-old, who was part of Brazil's recent Copa America campaign, will wear the number 26 shirt at the Etihad Stadium, and could make his debut in the Community Shield clash with Manchester United on August 10.

"I'm so happy to be joining Manchester City, the Premier League champions and Club World Cup winners," he told the club's official website. "Everyone knows they are the best team in the world right now, so to be here is very exciting for me. 

"I'm excited about the chance to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest coaches ever, and someone I know will help me improve even more.

"I had an amazing time in Spain, and I'm looking forward to a new challenge of playing in the Premier League and alongside some of the best players in the world.

"I can't wait to meet the fans and my new team-mates and hopefully be a part of bringing more success to City."

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined newly promoted Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah on a two-year deal.

The 35-year-old is the latest high-profile signing for the Khobar-based club, following the arrivals of Nacho and Koen Casteels from Real Madrid and Wolfsburg respectively.

Aubameyang joins after just one season with Marseille, for whom he scored 30 goals in 51 appearances while also becoming the record marksman in Europa League history.

A LaLiga title winner with Barcelona, the forward also won the DFB-Pokal during his time with Borussia Dortmund, and the FA Cup at Arsenal.

Aubameyang stepped onto the pitch for the first time with his new club during their pre-season friendly with Borussia Monchengladbach on Thursday.

Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has confirmed midfielder Adrien Rabiot has left the club ahead of the 2024-25 Serie A season. 

Rabiot, who featured for France in their semi-final run at Euro 2024, made 212 appearances for Juventus since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. 

The 29-year-old featured in 35 matches for the Old Lady under Massimiliano Allegri last season, helping them to a 15th Coppa Italia title. 

Rabiot became the fifth Frenchman to reach 200 appearances for Juventus, leaving him third in the list of the club's all-time French appearance makers alongside Zinedine Zidane. 

Only Michel Platini (224) and David Trezeguet (320) have completed more outings for the 36-time Serie A champions. 

"I want to thank Adrien Rabiot and wish him well for the future," Giuntoli said during Thiago Motta's first press conference as the new Juventus head coach. 

Motta was announced as Juventus' new head coach last month after leading Bologna to a club record 68 points in Serie A, securing Champions League qualification for the first time in the process. 

The 41-year-old, who addressed the media for the first time since being appointed, believes success is forthcoming for Juventus, who have failed to win a league title since the 2019-20 season. 

"I was convinced that Juventus has a great environment and I'm happy to have the best facilities at my disposal," Motta said. 

"Then we hope to play as many games as possible. The goal is always to win and I know I have a big responsibility.

"I would never change my coaching position here for anyone else.

"The past was a pleasure, but we don't have to think about it any more. Now I am focused on what lies ahead, with the desire to prove that we are capable of challenging anyone.

"We don't want alibis linked to our many commitments, but we will have a positive approach to the season and the many games we will play.

"The next gen will give us a big hand. There will be 23-24 starters in the first team, there will be healthy competition for starting places."

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