More big names are expected to join Tom Brady at Birmingham, with Stephen Carr telling GOAL why marquee signings in the transfer market can be completed. The former Blues defender has also been discussing, in an exclusive interview, why plans for a new stadium – which could attract NFL games – and Premier League promotion dreams can come to fruition.

• Winning mentality: Brady's role at Birmingham

  Birmingham tumbled into League One during Brady’s first season as a minority stakeholder of the club. They did, however, bounce back in style when claiming the third tier title in record-breaking fashion last term.

  With big-spending owners on board, the Blues are aiming high. They want to beat Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac and Wrexham to the top tier, with both clubs generating plenty of noise away from the field – with documentary series opening up a window to the world.

  Seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady has helped Birmingham to spread their word, with the American football legend fully signed up to an exciting project in the West Midlands. He is helping to bring a winning mentality to St Andrew’s.

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• Amazon Prime Video
  

  Transfer business: Birmingham backed to land big names

  With the Blues’ mass appeal continuing to grow, Carr – speaking in association with – told GOAL when asked if more household names will head to Birmingham: “I think so. I think that’s what they are aiming for. The stadium that they just released, you can see what they are building – that is for the Premier League, that’s not for the Football League. That has to be a Premier League stadium.

  “I know there is all the other stuff with it, the NFL and everything, but it is being geared up now where they want to go. Very ambitious. But there is a limit to what you can spend, it’s as simple as that. You see it at Newcastle as well – the richest club in the world but they can’t go out and buy whoever they want. That’s where they need plans.

  “They do need a good few players. If they stay in the Championship, consolidate and then build. They need players coming in. It’s what they can bring in, what they are restricted with and what they can spend. They have always had a good academy there, they produce some good young players. But you see with the stadium and everything, they are very ambitious.

  “It’s amazing for the area, it needs it. In the long-term, I think you will see top players. But they need to get into the Premier League to get those players because you are limited in what you can spend. They can’t go and throw money at trying to get to the Premier League. You need to get up, but it’s going to take a bit of time. It’s not simple. The Championship is getting harder and harder. You see it’s stacked at the moment.

  “For the future, that’s the goal. The stadium shows how much money they will be spending. That stadium is only worth something if you are in the Premier League, it’s not for the Championship – with the costs and all that. You see Tottenham’s stadium and what they spent, they spent a fortune, but they are in the Premier League. That’s a Premier League stadium, so hopefully they do it and get up. I think you will see spending. I think it will be controlled, it won’t be stupid, but you will see bigger names coming back to Birmingham.”

• NFL & Taylor Swift: Grand plans for Birmingham

  Another former Blues star, Clinton Morrison, told GOAL recently when asked about NFL games and Taylor Swift concerts at Birmingham: “The city in its own right is the second city in the country behind London. It’s a massive city and a city that probably hasn’t had as much investment as others – like Manchester and others in the UK. There is a lot of scope for growth economically in the city.

  “The owners have got big dreams of bringing this all-purpose stadium in. We have seen it with a couple of other stadiums around the country where they have managed to incorporate other events and generate revenue that way. I believe it is only a good thing what they are planning. Whether that materialises or not is another thing. I believe they have to have Premier League status in order to achieve and attract that magnitude of event.”

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• Birmingham City
  

  Promotion push: When will Birmingham reach the Premier League?

  Birmingham, who continue to work under the guidance of manager Chris Davies, are very much in the Championship top-six picture this season. They sit eighth in the table at present, one point outside the play-off places and only five adrift of the second automatic promotion spot.

  They will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Southampton. They have six more games through to the end of the calendar year, at which point another transfer window will open and more fresh faces could be welcomed through the doors.

Khadija Shaw's brace secured Manchester City an unconvincing 3-0 victory at a resolute Leicester City to extend their lead at the top of the Women's Super League. The City talisman was so wasteful in front of goal before bagging two late efforts in the last 15 minutes on Sunday. And substitute Kerolin capped off a fine cameo with a smart finish in second-half stoppage time to ensure City's best-ever start to a WSL season.

Right from the off, City dominated possession and had the lion's share of the chances, while Leicester were content to get players behind the ball and soak up pressure. Shaw missed the first of many chances early on when her scuffed shot hit the side netting, before Vivianne Miedema stung the hands of inspired Foxes goalkeeper Janina Leitzig. The Jamaica international spurned multiple gilt-edged opportunities from close range, with Miedema also denied on numerous occasions.

The home side improved in an attacking sense in the second half, but once again it was Shaw who went close for the visitors when her header looped onto the roof of the net. But the 28-year-old finally broke Leicester's hearts when she pounced upon a mistake by Celeste Boureille and fired home 16 minutes from time. The contest was well and truly over when Shaw headed in her second in the 84th minute to take her tally to eight for the season. City, who added a third through the lively Kerolin in the 94th minute, are now six points clear of Chelsea in second but the Blues can cut that gap to three if they beat Everton on Sunday afternoon.

GOAL rates Manchester City's players from King Power Stadium…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Ayaka Yamashita (6/10):

Had virtually nothing to do, other than passing the ball to her team-mates and firing long balls forward. This was a training run for the keeper.

Kerstin Casparij (6/10):

Was never troubled in a defensive capacity and got forward with wanton abandon but didn't do much to move the needle in the game.

Jade Rose (6/10):

The statistics of 29 shots to Leicester's two tell it all. The centre-back had precious little to do, in truth.

Rebecca Knaak (7/10):

Continues to be a right handful in the air, both in attack and defence. Is a commanding figure at the back.

Leila Ouhabi (7/10):

Looked comfortable in possession and whenever the ball came her way, she dealt with it.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Yui Hasegawa (6/10):

Needed to have more style to her substance but did some nice touches to free up her team-mates.

Laura Blindkilde Brown (6/10):

Some of her passing in the centre of the park could have been a bit quicker but she stopped some of Leicester's rare attacks with some combative play.

Vivianne Miedema (7/10)

In the first half, her trickery came closest to unlocking Leicester's dogged defence. Her effectiveness waned in the second half, though.

Getty Images SportAttack

Aoba Fujino (6/10):

Ran at Leicester's defence with wilful glee but found it hard to bypass their low block in the box. 

Khadija Shaw (7/10):

The division's top striker popped up with a timely goal in the 74th minute and then again 10 minutes later. But before then, she missed a hatful of chances in a frustrating display. However, you only need a second or two to have a successful game in attack.

Lauren Hemp (6/10):

She was well shackled as Leicester's defence repeatedly doubled up on her. But got an assist late on for Shaw's second.

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Subs & Manager

Grace Clinton (4/10):

Did precious little off the bench.

Kerolin (8/10):

Added some extra quality and dynamism off the bench and got the crucial assist for City's opener. Scored a sublime late goal to cap off a brilliant cameo.

Iman Beney (N/A):

Had too little time to make an impact.

Andree Jeglertz (6/10):

His side didn't show enough creativity or imagination to unlock Leicester's defence for long periods but her substitutions, particularly Kerolin, helped City get the job done. They won but they weren't entirely convincing.

The Baltimore Orioles' match-up against the New York Mets on Thursday included a bit of pregame entertainment that admittedly wasn't for everybody.

Electronic musician Dan Deacon performed his unique rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Camden Yards which, well… you can listen to below. Deacon, who has been meandering down his own psychedelic-esque path of music since the early 2000s, created a kooky, experimental piece that deviated from what one might expect for a standard national anthem performance and immediately elicited polarizing reactions from MLB fans.

Some called it bizarre. Others called it genius. One fan shared a video of Deacon's performance and wrote in the caption, "I think the Orioles have officially hit rock bottom."

That prompted plenty of people on social media to come to Deacon's defense, declaring that the Baltimore-based electronic composer is a legend in his own right. Judge it for yourself:

Ahead of the start of the second half of the baseball season, the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to trade veteran infielder Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals, according to a report from Robert Murray of

In return, the Pirates are receiving 28-year-old middle infielder Cam Devanney, who has been playing for Triple-A Omaha in Kansas City's organization. It's a one-for-one trade.

The 33-year-old Frazier was in his second stint with the Pirates, after beginning his career in Pittsburgh. He is batting .255 this season with three home runs, 21 RBI and seven stolen bases in 235 at-bats. Frazier, of course, played for the Royals a season ago, so it's a reunion between Kansas City and the longtime infielder.

Frazier hit just .202 last season in Kansas City, which was his only season with the team.

يستعد الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم لإجراء مراسم قرعة دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا، موسم 2025/26، وذلك ظهر يوم الثلاثاء، 9 ديسمبر 2025.

وستنطلق مباريات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا، في الفترة بين 16 و18 ديسمبر على أرض الفريق الأقل تصنيفًا، وذلك في مباراة واحدة فقط.

وتشارك الفرق الأربعة المتواجدة في كأس السوبر الإسباني، بشكل مباشر في دور الـ32 من كأس ملك إسبانيا، وهم: برشلونة، ريال مدريد، أتلتيكو مدريد وأتلتيك بلباو.

وإلى جانب هؤلاء، يتواجد 28 فريقًا نجحوا في التأهل إلى تلك المرحلة من البطولة عقب تخطيهم دور الـ64، الذي انتهى مساء الخميس الماضي.

الوعاء الأول: ريال مدريد، برشلونة، أتلتيك بلباو، أتلتيكو مدريد.

الوعاء الثاني: ألافيس، مايوركا، أوساسونا، خيتافي، ليفانتي، ريال سوسيداد، فياريال، إلتشي، رايو فاليكانو، إشبيلية، سيلتا فيجو، فالنسيا، ريال بيتيس.

الوعاء الثالث: هويسكا، كولتورال ليونيسا، ديبورتيفو لاكورونيا، ألباسيتي، سبورتنج خيخون، إيبار، راسينج سانتاندر، بورجوس، غرناطة.

الوعاء الرابع: جوادالاخارا، إلدينس، تالافيرا دي لا رينا، ريال مورسيا، أورينس.

الوعاء الخامس: أتلتيكو باليريس. موعد قرعة دور الـ32 من كأس ملك إسبانيا

تنطلق مراسم القرعة في تمام الساعة 2 ظهرًا بتوقيت القاهرة، 3 بتوقيت السعودية. القنوات الناقلة لقرعة دور الـ32 من كأس ملك إسبانيا

أعلن الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم أن مراسم القرعة ستُبث مباشرة عبر حساباته الرسمية بمواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، عبر إكس (للمتابعة من هنا)، عبر فيس بوك (للمتابعة من هنا)، وكذلك عبر الموقع الرسمي للاتحاد (للمتابعة من هنا)، بخلاف شبكتي موفيستار وteledeporte.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

José Butto suited up in his New York Mets uniform and headed to the bullpen to await his opportunity on Wednesday but before he got the chance, news came down that he had been traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Tyler Rogers. Major League Baseball's trade deadline creates these types of situations from time to time where we're privy to the traded player's real-time reaction. And Butto's was emotional.

Butto could be seen processing the information and being comforted by Mets bullpen coach Jose Rosado.

He then took his leave from the bullpen after saying his goodbyes out there.

Upon entering the dugout Butto was embraced by the other Mets as they learned of the news.

Butto had spent his entire professional career with the Mets and broke through into the big leagues in 2022. This year he has appeared in 34 games with a 3-2 record and 3.64 ERA.

Could you name a signing from the Mike Ashley era who would grace the top-five list of Newcastle United’s finest additions of the past 18 years?

Fabricio Coloccini, Yohan Cabaye, the late Cheick Tiote, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse would all stake compelling claims. Spilling into the Eddie Howe era at St. James’ Park are Jacob Murphy and Fabian Schar, and their cases are strong too.

1

Bruno Guimaraes

164

2

Fabian Schar

160

3

Dan Burn

159

4

Jacob Murphy

145

5

Joelinton

139

Fine players all, but Newcastle have ascended to higher ground over the past four years. Murphy and Schar are industrious and efficient parts of the Toon system, but neither is the cream of the crop.

Let’s have a look at those glittering arrivals of recent years. The difference-makers. The trophy winners. The go-getters.

There are a few who have bloomed into players of the highest class.

Howe's best Newcastle signings

Newcastle were weak, but now they are strong. Once rudderless under Ashley’s tyrannical reign, the Toon charted a new course upon that PIF takeover, and they haven’t looked back.

Time and time again, Howe and his team have got it right. Take Anthony Gordon. The England international suffered his share of flak upon joining from Everton, but he’s gone from strength to strength and has seen interest rebuffed from the likes of Liverpool, who were not put off by the 24-year-old’s £100m valuation in 2024.

Gordon is not alone, and potentially even overshadowed by the skipper, Bruno Guimaraes. In amongst the action from the get-go, the Brazilian has been a pillar of strength in the middle of the park, effortlessly good.

One of Guimaraes’ finest qualities is that he bleeds black and white. Forget the peerless technical quality, cast out the steely tenacity, here is a man who loves the club and has channelled his passion toward illustrious success.

There are many more besides still plying their trade in a Newcastle shirt, but these are likely the superstars.

We must mention Alexander Isak, who was arguably the best striker in the Premier League last season, scoring 27 goals. He left in inflamed circumstances and will never again be the flavour of the month on Tyneside.

But Newcastle banked a British-record fee of £125m for the Sweden striker, and given his success at the outfit and the way in which Howe and co have turned those moneybags back to the transfer market is an interesting thing, with one new recruit in particular shaping up to be one of the best signings of the PIF era.

Newcastle star may be the best of the PIF era

Sometimes, you can just tell. And in the case of Nick Woltemade, you can just tell that Newcastle have landed themselves one of the most talented forwards in Europe.

Hailed by reporter Andy Sixsmith for his “mesmerising” link-up play, the German striker may not have chalked his name onto the scoresheet when Newcastle defeated Benfica this week, but his overall play was a thing to behold and evidence that he doesn’t need goals to put in show-stopping performances.

Of course, the goals are nice, and with five from eight matches for his new club this season. He’s only missed three big chances for the club, clinical and precise, and there’s a willingness to drop deep and weave play together, threading the fabric of Howe’s side like a seamster.

This might seem like big praise, but the big man is a big talent, and Newcastle must feel they have got bang for their buck.

It is… telling that Howe’s attacking composition looks like it’s going to stabilise and provide the fans with plenty more joy in the final third in spite of the loss of Isak, such a devastating frontman.

Isak left for a staggering sum, and Newcastle have replaced him with Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, currently sidelined with a knee injury but sure to be a confident goalscorer when he makes his bow. Now United are making headway once again; now they are demonstrating signs of attacking qualities which could evolve into something new and in line with the lofty ambitions.

While Woltemade arrived from Stuttgart this summer for a £69m fee, breaking that previous record price, he is demonstrating that Newcastle are receiving bang for their buck. It is unlikely the goals will dry up and Newcastle will become parched at number nine, should they continue to make creative gains, piecing back together the full fluency of Howe’s team.

The underlying data tells much of his potential. Thanks to FBref’s data, we can show that Woltemade ranks among the top 5% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90.

He is, plainly, rather good, and will only get better as he matures and develops within the English game.

It is too early to claim with any conviction that Woltemade has been the definitive best signing of the PIF era at St. James’ Park.

The likes of Gordon and Guimaraes, after all, have played instrumental roles in the ascension of Howe’s project, leading the club twice into the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup last season.

We cannot definitively call Woltemade the best signing of this new Newcastle chapter, but we can extrapolate from the early readings in black and white and say, confidently, that this is a special striker, and he’s gearing up for more and more success.

Newcastle superstar is starting to emulate Shearer & it's not Woltemade

Newcastle thrashed Benfica at St. James’ Park in the Champions League.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 22, 2025

The trophies haven’t always followed, but West Ham United have had some truly sensational players represent them over the years.

You’ve got the historical greats, like Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds, and Geoff Hurst, as well as some more modern ones.

Declan Rice, for example, or Dimitri Payet before him, and going back a little further, the livewire that was Paolo Di Canio.

All three made an enormous impact on the club during their time in East London, and Nuno Espírito Santo has someone in his squad today who should be spoken about in the same way.

Di Canio, Payet and Rice's West Ham careers

Starting in chronological order then, Di Canio joined West Ham in January 1999, and while there were some questions over the move for his rash behaviour, and the fact he had just been banned for 11 games for pushing a referee, Harry Redknaap justified the move by simply stating that the Italian could “do things with the ball that people can only dream of.”

Over the next four and a half years, the Roma-born icon would rack up an impressive tally of 50 goals and 19 assists in 139 games for the club, with his strike against Wimbledon in March 2000 later being named the league’s goal of the decade.

While he left to join Charlton Athletic following the Irons’ relegation in 2003, Di Canio made a lasting impression in East London and continues to call the fan base his second family.

Another maverick star who the East End fell head over heels for during his time in the capital was Payet.

The French magician joined the club from Marseille in the summer of 2015, and it didn’t take long for him to announce himself, providing the assist for Cheikhou Kouyaté from a well-taken free kick on his debut against Arsenal.

He ended that season with an outrageous tally of 12 goals and 15 assists in 38 games, which was enough for him to be named the Premier League Player of the Year at the 2016 London Football Awards, shortlisted for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and named West Ham United Player of the Year.

However, things would sour the following season, when, in the new year, he refused to play after making it clear that he wanted to return to Marseille, which he eventually did for around £25m.

Finally, the only academy product of the three, Rice was well and truly one of West Ham’s own.

He made his senior debut for the club in a Premier League game against Burnley in the 16/17 season, and over the next six years would go on to amass 244 more for the club, as well as becoming the captain in the summer of 2022.

His crowning achievement in claret and blue came the following summer, when he led the club to their first European title, beating Fiorentina in the Conference League final.

Unfortunately, he then left to join Arsenal a couple of months later, but he did at least bring in around £105m in the process.

In all, it’s impossible to deny that Di Canio, Payet and Rice are three of the very best players to have represented West Ham in the modern era, although another name might have to be added to that list.

The West Ham star emulating Di Canio, Payet and Rice

Now, while neither the results nor performances have been all that great this season, West Ham still have several incredibly talented players in their squad.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, when it comes down to someone who could emulate and be looked at in the same way as the three icons mentioned above, only one player comes to mind: Jarrod Bowen.

The 28-year-old joined the Hammers from Hull City in January 2020, and while there was some excitement around his transfer, it didn’t feel like it would be such a seismic one at the time.

After all, while his first six months at the club certainly weren’t bad, they also weren’t anything special, as in 13 appearances, he scored a single goal and provided four assists.

Things improved slightly the following year, as he recorded 14 goal involvements in 40 appearances, but it was the season after that, the 2021/22 campaign, when it became clear just how special a player he is.

For example, in 51 appearances, the “unplayable” winger, as dubbed by Thomas Frank, scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.64 games, which was also enough to see him earn his first senior England cap.

However, it was the year after that in which his defining moment as a West Ham player came, as in the 90th minute of the Conference League final, he made a perfectly timed run, and under all the pressure in the world, scored the winning goal to send East London into delirium.

Since then, the firm fan favourite has continued to improve, and since being given the captain’s armband last year, it’s hard to think og what else he needs to do to cement himself as a West Ham legend.

Ultimately, while he might not get the same recognition outside the fan base, it would be fair to say that Bowen is well on his way to becoming one of the Hammers’ greatest ever – if he isn’t there already.

West Ham are brewing homegrown Diouf in exciting 18-year-old at Rush Green

The incredibly exciting youngster could be a future star for West Ham.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 7, 2025

Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is set to miss time due to appendicitis, president of baseball operations Chris Young told reporters, per Brian Murphy of . Seager is set to undergo an appendectomy on Thursday and is out indefinitely. Per Evan Grant of , Seager has not been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The five-time MLB All-Star and two-time World Series champion went 2–2 with one home run, two RBIs and three runs in Wednesday's win over the Angels. Before undergoing the appendectomy, Seager has hit .271 with 21 home runs, 50 RBIs and a .860 OPS this season.

Seager is the latest Ranger to miss time for Texas. Earlier this week, it was announced that starter Nathan Eovaldi will likely be out for the rest of the season with a rotator cuff strain. In addition, reliever Cole Winn, outfielder Evan Carter and second baseman Marcus Semien have all been placed on the injured list over the last week.

With the Rangers on the outside looking in for the playoff race and several stars injured, this might go down as a second straight season to forget.

أعلنت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عن المدرب الفائز بجائزة الأفضل خلال شهر نوفمبر الماضي، بعد أن حصد إيجور تياجو لاعب برينتفورد جائزة أفضل لاعب.

وعبر موقع الدوري الإنجليزي، فقد أعلن عن تتويج إنزو ماريسكا مدرب تشيلسي بجائزة أفضل مدرب لشهر نوفمبر للمرة الثانية بعد قيادة البلوز لسجل خالي من الهزائم.

An unbeaten November for @ChelseaFC 👊

Enzo Maresca is @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Month 👔 pic.twitter.com/N66yTOIz2G — Premier League (@premierleague) December 12, 2025

وحصل إنزو ماريسكا مدرب تشيلسي على جائزة أفضل مدرب خلال شهر نوفمبر، ليحقق الجائزة للمرة الثانية.

أقرأ أيضاً.. شيرر: مستقبل محمد صلاح مع ليفربول يعتمد عليه.. ومن المؤسف أن تكون هذه النهاية

وقاد ماريسكا تشيلسي خلال شهر استثنائي لتحقيق ثلاثة انتصارات وتعادل في مباراة واحدة، وحصد 10 نقاط وهو أعلى رصيد نقاط لأي فريق في الدوري الإنجليزي في نوفمبر.

وأصبح ماريسكا سادس مدرب لتشيلسي يحصد جائزة مدرب الشهر أكثر من مرة، وفي المجمل فاز تسعة مدربين للبلوز بهذه الجائزة.

وتفوق ماريسكا على مرشحين آخرين للفوز بجائزة مدرب الشهر في نوفمبر مثل ميكيل أرتيتا مدرب آرسنال وآوناي إيمري مدرب أستون فيلا وبيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي وفابيان هورزلر مدرب برايتون وماركو سيلفا مدرب فولهام.