Manchester City have released Norway midfielder Abdisalam Ibrahim from his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
An FA Youth Cup winner with City in 2008, Ibrahim made just three senior appearances for the club.
His debut came in the FA Cup four years ago against Scunthorpe United, a club he later joined on loan ahead of further temporary spells at NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands and Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset.
The Somalia-born Ibrahim has two caps for Norway and made his first international start in Saturday s 3-0 friendly defeat to Poland in Abu Dhabi.
However, he has been deemed surplus to requirements at City by manager Manuel Pellegrini.
A message from City s official Twitter account on Wednesday read: The club can confirm that Abdisalam Ibrahim has been …
Ange Postecoglou has backed Nick Montgomery to be a hit at Easter Road as he praised Hibernian for looking to Australia for their new head coach.
Montgomery followed in Postecoglou’s footsteps by winning the A-League title as manager last season when he led Central Coast Mariners to an emphatic Grand Final success against Melbourne City.
The former Sheffield United player has now taken a similar route to ex-Celtic manager Postecoglou in moving to the cinch Premiership and will take charge of his first game when Hibs visit Kilmarnock on Saturday.
The Tottenham manager, who has won the Barclays manager of the month award for the Premier League at the first time of asking, said: “Nick has done brilliantly in Australia. He did a fantastic job at a club that it is…
Thomas Vermaelen has admitted he is thinking about leaving Arsenal after falling out of Arsene Wenger s first XI.
The Belgium international defender is club captain at the Emirates Stadium, but has slipped behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in Wenger’s central-defensive pecking order.
And Vermaelen, who is currently away on international duty, has indicated he may seek pastures new in the January transfer window as he looks to secure a place in his country’s squad for next year s FIFA World Cup.
I ll have to think about that when it s necessary. January is still a few months ahead, the 27-year-old said.
Of course, never playing will not be the ideal situation for me to go to the World Cup, that s for sure.
Former Ajax man Vermaele…
Jose Luis Mendilibar rejoiced it is an honour to have made the fans happy after leading Olympiacos to their historic Europa Conference League final triumph over Fiorentina.
Thrylos became the first Greek side to win a major European competition, as Ayoub El Kaabi s extra-time winner snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory at AEK Arena.
It provided a happy ending to an eventful season for Olympiacos, with Mendilibar their third different manager of the campaign having replaced Carlos Carvahal in February.
Following his Europa League success with Sevilla 12 months ago, the Spaniard became the first coach since Rafael Benitez (2003-04 UEFA Cup with Valencia; 2004-05 Champions League with Liverpool) to win major European competitions in consecutive seasons with different clu…
Former Barcelona player and B team boss Luis Enrique has been confirmed as the club s new coach on a two-year deal.
Gerardo Martino announced on Saturday he would step down from his position at Camp Nou, in mutual agreement with the club, after Barcelona failed to defend their Liga crown only winning the Supercopa de Espana in his solitary season in charge.
The Catalan giants have swiftly turned to Luis Enrique, who represented Real Madrid and Barca during an illustrious playing career before going on to coach the latter s B team between 2008 and 2011.
He was responsible for Barcelona B earning a record finish of third in the Segunda Division in 2011.
Following an unsuccessful stint at Roma, Luis Enrique then guided Celta Vigo to ninth in La Liga this season, but…
Liverpool and Manchester City have sent a joint statement to fans of both clubs in an attempt to ease tensions.
The chief executives of the Premier League pair wrote a collaborative email to fans ahead of their EFL Cup fourth round tie at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
Liverpool and City s rivalry has developed in recent seasons as both teams have competed for league titles and various cups.
The Premier League clash at Anfield in October saw coins thrown at City boss Pep Guardiola by home fans, while City supporters could be heard singing songs related to the Hillsborough disaster in which 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed in 1989.
A meeting was held last month between officials and fan representatives of the clubs in an attempt to mend fences.
Liverpool will host Merseyside neighbours Everton in the FA Cup third round – one of a handful of local derbies thrown up in Monday s draw.
Jurgen Klopp s men host Everton in their first Premier League clash of the season on Sunday and will now meet again over the weekend of January 5-8.
It will be the first FA Cup derby between the sides since Liverpool prevailed 2-1 in a 2012 semi-final – the Reds going on to lose to Chelsea in the final by the same margin.
Brighton Hove Albion are at home to Crystal Palace having played out a goalless Premier League draw against their bitter rivals last week, while Middlesbrough welcome Sunderland in an all north-east affair.
Holders Arsenal will begin their bid for a 14th FA Cup away to Nottingham Forest, with la…
Former Inter star Diego Milito has dismissed the notion that they are overly reliant on striker Mauro Icardi.
The club captain has been in exceptional form in the early part of the season, scoring six goals in five Serie A appearances to help his side to 10 points from their first five games.
Icardi scored both goals in Wednesday s 2-0 win over Empoli, while he netted the equaliser before setting up Ivan Perisic for the winner in the crucial 2-1 victory over Juventus.
Indeed, the Argentina international has been involved in more goals seven than any other player in Europe s top five leagues this term, but Milito has denied that Inter are a one-man team.
4 Mauro Icardi is the only player able to score in four different games in the Serie A 2016-17. Basic. …
Man City keen on Brazilian starlet
Portuguese newspaper that Manchester City are keeping close tabs on Atletico Parnense midfielder Nathan Allan de Souza.
The 18-year-old shone at the Under-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates last year, scoring five goals in as many games at the tournament finals.
His talent was then spotted by scouts working for Europe s top clubs, with Manchester City reportedly leading the chase at the moment.
Nathan was even praised by Diego Armando Maradona and it is perfectly clear the attacking midfielder has a bright future in the game.
The youngster was recently handed his senior debut for Atletico Paranense and has so far scored one goal in two league starts.
The Brazilian giants, however, face a tough task in…
Mario Gotze believes Usain Bolt can succeed as a professional footballer after witnessing his development first-hand during the superstar athlete s stint at Borussia Dortmund.
The eight-time Olympic champion is on trial with the Central Coast Mariners and is hoping to win a permanent contract with the A-League club over the next 12 months.
Gotze saw Bolt s potential during a training stint at his Bundesliga club earlier this year, and thinks the 32-year-old sprint king can make the transition from athletics to football.
I think [Bolt] can make it. I don t really know the level of the Australian league and I don t know the teams there, Gotze told Omnisport.
He is a sportsman and he has a lot of abilities that are important to be successful in footbal…