West Ham have signed Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund for £27m. The 31-year-old, who joined Dortmund from Werder Bremen last summer, scored 15 goals in 46 games in 2023-24 and finished as a Champions League runner-up. He also netted twice during hosts Germany’s run to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, despite not starting a match.
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Everton have signed Republic of Ireland defender Jake O’Brien from Lyon for £17m. The 23-year-old centre-back has signed a four-year deal and returns to the Premier League, having only joined the Ligue 1 club from Crystal Palace last year. He went on to play 27 times in the French top flight, scoring four goals.
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Arsenal have signed Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee of up to £42m including add-ons. The 22-year-old, who started Italy’s three group games at Euro 2024, has signed a five-year deal with Mikel Arteta’s side. He has immediately joined up with his new team-mates in Philadelphia. Calafiori, who spent one season at Bologna, can play as a central defender or at left-back – and has previously played on the left wing.
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Thiago Alcantara has retired from football after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract. The former Spain midfielder, 33, was restricted to just one appearance during the 2023-24 season because of injury. Thiago had hip surgery towards the end of the 2022-23 season but was unable to return until February 2024, when he came on as a late substitute in a defeat at Arsenal and suffered another injury.
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Veteran striker Jamie Vardy has signed a new one-year contract at Leicester. The 37-year-old will extend his stay at the King Power to 12 years after agreeing a deal for the 2024-25 season. The former England international scored 20 goals in 37 appearances as the Foxes won promotion to the Premier League in the 23-24 campaign.
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