BEB Weekend Sports: Juicy News!

Chelsea sign Borussia Dortmund forward for £58m


Chelsea have signed Borussia Dortmund forward Christian Pulisic for 64m euros (£58m), but will loan him back to the German club until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old United States international, who was linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, joined Dortmund as a youth player in 2015. Pulisic has scored nine goals in 23 games for the US.
"It's a privilege to have signed for such a legendary club," he said.
It is the highest transfer fee for an American player, beating the 20m euros Wolfsburg paid for John Brooks in 2017.

Dortmund director Michael Zorc said: "It was always Christian's dream to play in the Premier League.
"That certainly has to do with his American background, and as a result we were unable to extend his contract. 
"Against this background, we have decided to accept an extremely lucrative bid by Chelsea, given the low contract maturity."
Pulisic's contract at Dortmund was due to expire in June 2020.

Mikel Quits Tianjin Teda, Targets Europe Return


Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi is looking for a new club after leaving Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda by mutual consent with a year left on his deal.

The 31-year-old left Chelsea in January 2017 but injuries meant he made just 31 appearances for Tianjin.

He is keeping his options open as he begins the search for a new challenge.
“As for my next stop, I am not sure yet, maybe I will return to Europe, maybe stay in China,” he was quoted as saying by local Chinese media.
The European Champions League winner is however, keen to force his way back into the Nigeria team ahead of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The midfielder has not played for his country since last summer’s World Cup, leading to speculation about his international future.

Federer and Bencic retain Hopman Cup for Switzerland


Roger Federer has become the most successful player in Hopman Cup history after leading Switzerland to a 2-1 win in an enthralling final of the mixed teams tournament in Perth Saturday.

In what is tipped to be the final edition of the unique tournament, the best was saved for last as Federer became the first player to win three Hopman Cups, teaming with Belinda Bencic for the duo’s second consecutive title.

For the second year in a row, the Swiss beat the German pairing of Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber by claiming a deciding mixed doubles rubber loaded with drama.

It was Switzerland’s fourth title overall, behind only the United States with six. Federer first won the Hopman Cup back in 2001 when he teamed with Martina Hingis.

The 37-year-old gave the Swiss the early ascendancy with a straight sets win against Zverev, before Kerber squared the tie by beating a dogged Belinda Bencic to set up the mixed doubles decider.

Federer was a dominant figure in an extraordinary doubles match as the Swiss claimed the abbreviated format 4-0, 1-4, 4-3 (5/4) to clinch the title.

Fittingly, it was Federer who served out the match in the third set tie-break, having been unable to do so earlier in the set, when after an extended rally Zverev dumped a backhand into the net to hand the Swiss victory.

Cowboys & Colts progress in play-offs


The Dallas Cowboys overcame the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts were too strong for the Houston Texans as the NFL play-offs got under way.
Quarterback Dak Prescott inspired the Cowboys to a 24-22 victory.

Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck also starred, throwing for two touchdowns as his side won 21-7.
In the wildcard games left, Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Chicago Bears, while the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Chargers.

Saturday's first result meant Luck's Colts advance to the American Conference semi-final and will face the Kansas City Chiefs on 12 January.

The Colts had only one victory in their first six games this season but have produced a remarkable turnaround to win 10 of their past 11.

Rusher Marlon Mack also played a key role as he carried 24 times for 148 yards and a touchdown, while the team held off a late rally from Houston.

Looking forward to next week's game, Luck said:
"It'll be fun. That's a great team. It should be a great game."
Later, Prescott threw for 226 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score as the Cowboys made it past Seattle and into a second-round National Conference game next weekend against either the New Orleans Saints or the Los Angeles Rams.

from Bola Esho's Blog

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