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February 2, 2025 Official: Akpom Finalizes Loan Move to Ajax

Official: Akpom Finalizes Loan Move to Ajax

Chuba Akpom has completed a loan move to Ligue 1 side Lille from Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam. The 29-year-old joins the former French champions with an option for the deal to be made permanent at the end of the season.

Lille secured Akpom’s signature despite strong interest from several European clubs. The Arsenal academy graduate moved to Ajax from Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough in 2023 after an outstanding season in England. During the 2022/23 campaign, he enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career, scoring 29 goals in 42 appearances and earning the Championship Player of the Season award.

Despite his success at Middlesbrough, Akpom struggled for consistent game time at Ajax. He managed 15 goals in 36 appearances during his debut season with the Dutch club. This season, he has netted eight goals in the Eredivisie and added four more in the UEFA Europa League.

With his move to Lille, Akpom will look to rediscover his best form and make a strong impact in French football.

January 31, 2025 Paulo Fonseca Appointed as New Lyon Coach, Replacing Ex-Milan Boss

Paulo Fonseca Appointed as New Lyon Coach, Replacing Ex-Milan Boss

Former AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca has been named the new head coach of Ligue 1 side Lyon, following the departure of Pierre Sage. The 51-year-old, a former Portugal international, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and will be tasked with leading Lyon, currently in sixth place, to a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Fonseca, who watched Lyon's 1-1 draw against Bulgaria's Ludogorets in the Europa League on Thursday alongside club owner John Textor, saw his new team secure a place in the competition’s last 16.

Sage, who was appointed in November 2023, arrived at a club struggling at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table. He managed to turn things around, guiding Lyon to European qualification and a French Cup final, though they were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his successes, a recent poor run of five winless matches, including an embarrassing exit from the French Cup to fifth-division Bourgoin-Jallieu, led to his dismissal.

Fonseca, who was let go by AC Milan in late December, brings with him valuable experience, including a successful two-year stint at Ligue 1’s Lille. However, he faces the challenge of winning over Lyon's supporters, many of whom were fond of Sage and upset by his departure.

READ ALSO: Boniface Returns to Leverkusen Training After Failed Al Nassr Move

January 31, 2025 Transfer News: Valencia Signs Nigerian Forward Ezekiel

Transfer News: Valencia Signs Nigerian Forward Ezekiel

Spanish Liga F club Valencia has confirmed the signing of Nigerian forward Motunrayo Ezekiel.

Ezekiel, who joins Valencia from Nigeria Women’s Premier League side Naija Ratels, has signed a one-year contract with the club.

The 21-year-old forward has previously played for Rivers Angels and Lakeside Queens.

Ezekiel was also part of the Nigerian women’s team that secured a silver medal in football at the 2023 All Africa Games in Accra, Ghana.

With this move, she becomes one of the growing number of Nigerian players in the Spanish Women’s League.

Valencia is currently in the bottom position of the league table with six points.

January 31, 2025 Boniface Returns to Leverkusen Training After Failed Al Nassr Move

Boniface Returns to Leverkusen Training After Failed Al Nassr Move

Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface has resumed training with Bayer Leverkusen after his proposed €15 million-per-season move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr fell through.

The Nigerian striker, who was excused from training and left out of Leverkusen’s squad for their UEFA Champions League match on Wednesday, quickly shared a photo of himself back in training with his teammates on Thursday.

While negotiations between Leverkusen and Al Nassr progressed swiftly, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the deal ultimately collapsed due to Al Nassr’s hesitation.

“Victor Boniface and Al Nassr, deal off,” Romano posted on X. “The Nigerian striker won’t join the club; the deal was advanced but never completed as Al Nassr never gave the final green light.”

Leverkusen had agreed to sell Boniface for €60 million—€10 million above their initial €50 million asking price—but Al Nassr ultimately decided to pursue Aston Villa’s John Duran instead.

Reports indicate that Boniface was initially the club’s backup option behind Duran. However, with Aston Villa initially reluctant to sell, Al Nassr prioritized negotiations for Boniface. That changed on Wednesday after fresh talks saw Villa soften their stance, agreeing to sell Duran for a guaranteed €77 million plus potential add-ons, as reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic.

Duran has already agreed to a five-and-a-half-year contract and is set to travel to London for his medical. Al Nassr is pushing to finalize the transfer quickly, as the Saudi transfer window closes on January 31—three days earlier than the English deadline of February 3.

As for Boniface, he remains at Leverkusen, where he could stay until another suitable offer arrives. The German club, which signed him for €20 million plus add-ons in the summer of 2023, remains open to selling him at the right price.

Boniface was instrumental in Leverkusen’s double-winning campaign last season, scoring 21 goals and providing 10 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. This season, he has registered eight goals and one assist in 15 games but has only just returned from a thigh injury that sidelined him since November 2024.

With his future uncertain, Boniface will look to regain top form as Leverkusen continues its domestic and European campaigns.

RELATED: Transfer Update: Bayer Leverkusen Chief Confirms Boniface Won’t Join Al Nassr

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