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Fran Kirby: England star joins Brighton after Chelsea exit

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Brighton have signed England international Fran Kirby on a free transfer following the expiry of her contract at Women’s Super League champions Chelsea.

Kirby, 31, is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest female players and won five successive WSL titles with Chelsea before her departure.

Having spent her entire club career in the south of England, Kirby’s move to Brighton means she can stay close to home and will continue to play in the WSL.

The forward, who started every game for England as they won Euro 2022, will go down as one of Brighton’s most high-profile signings.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Fran to the club”, managing director of women’s and girls’ football Zoe Johnson said.

“She arrives as one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, playing an integral role in Chelsea’s recent dominance, as well as on the international stage having been a part of England’s Euro 2022 win.

“Her experience on the pitch will be just as important off it and we have no doubt that she will help us take a significant step towards our long-term targets.”

Brighton finished ninth in the WSL last season during a campaign where they sacked manager Melissa Phillips and which was overseen for the second half by interim boss Mikey Harris, brought in from the men’s academy.

Brighton have been able to attract several big names in recent years including two-time Champions League winner Pauline Bremer and former Barcelona captain Vicky Losada.

The club has ambitions to break into the WSL’s top four and a signing of Kirby’s calibre will go some way towards that.

During a nine-year stint with Chelsea, Kirby scored 63 goals in 114 WSL games, winning eight league titles in the process.

Despite a career plagued with serious injuries and illnesses, Kirby is still regarded as a key member of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses.



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PGA Tour: Davis Thompson wins in Illinois to secure Open spot

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American Davis Thompson carded a closing seven-under-par 64 to win the John Deere Classic in Illinois by four strokes.

His maiden win on the PGA Tour secured a debut in The Open later this month for the 25-year-old.

The overnight leader made eight birdies and a single bogey at TPC Deere Run as he finished on 28 under to seal a commanding victory.

“Qualifying for The Open was just an added incentive to this,” said Thompson.

“The goal was to win the golf tournament after getting off to a great start and I was able to finish it off.”

Chinese Taipei’s CT Pan also claimed a spot in The Open at Royal Troon by finishing joint second on 24 under alongside Michael Thorbjornsen and 20-year-old amateur Luke Clanton.

Pan took the second qualifying place that was available from the John Deere Classic courtesy of his higher position in the world ranking.

England’s Aaron Rai, who was in a share of the lead going into the third round, shot a 69 to finish on 21 under.

Compatriot Harry Hall was one shot further back after a final-round 65.



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Olympics 2024: Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece to spot in Paris

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Giannis Antetokounmpo will play in the Olympics for the first time after helping Greece beat Croatia to qualify for Paris 2024.

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar hit 23 points as Greece sealed a 80-69 win in front of their home crowd in Piraeus.

Greece have not qualified for the Olympics since the 2008 Games in Beijing.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” said two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo, who was in tears after Greece’s victory.

“Since I was a kid I always wanted to play in the Olympic Games.”

The 29-year-old, who led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA title, had not played since picking up a calf injury in April until Greece’s first match of the qualifying tournament on Wednesday.

The Athens-born power forward helped his country beat Dominican Republic before sitting out their second match as Greece defeated Egypt.

Antetokounmpo returned to help Greece beat a Slovenia side featuring Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic in the semi-final to set up the final against Croatia.

In the finals of the other men’s Olympic qualifying tournaments, Brazil beat Latvia 94-69 in Riga and Spain secured a 86-78 win over Bahamas in Valencia.

The last spot at Paris 2024 is between Lithuania and Puerto Rico, who play in San Juan later on Sunday.



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Michael Olise: Bayern Munich sign Crystal Palace winger

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Bayern Munich have signed winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace on a five-year deal after paying a release clause of about £60m.

The 22-year-old English-born France Under-21 forward made 90 appearances in all competitions over three seasons with Palace.

He joined the Eagles from Reading for £8m in July 2021.

Chelsea and Newcastle United registered their interest in Olise earlier this summer but the winger has chosen to move to Germany, where he will work under Bayern’s new manager Vincent Kompany.

“I’m very happy to now be playing for such a big club – it’s a great challenge and that’s exactly what I was looking for,” said Olise.

“I want to prove myself at this level and play my part in ensuring we win as many titles as possible in the coming years.”

Olise scored 10 goals in 19 Premier League appearances as Palace finished 10th in the table last season.

He has been selected in the France squad for the Olympics that start in Paris later this month.

“We are hugely proud of what Michael has achieved at Crystal Palace, a club where he has developed greatly as a player,” said Eagles chairman Steve Parish.

“We respect his desire to further test himself at the highest level of world football.”

Bayern are also set to complete the signing of Fulham’s Joao Palhinha in a deal worth £42m plus £4m in add-ons.

The 28-year-old Portugal midfielder was close to joining Bayern last summer but a deal collapsed on deadline day.

England defender Eric Dier has also joined the Bundesliga club permanently after playing for them on loan from Tottenham Hotspur since January.

Bayern’s 11-year hold on the German title was ended by Bayer Leverkusen last season.

Check out our dedicated page for a full list of the summer’s transfers.



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