Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz has been voted Germany’s Player of the Year, adding to the 22-year-old’s growing reputation as one of the game’s top talents. Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen in June for a club-record £100m fee that could rise to £116m with add-ons, received 191 votes from German sports journalists. Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise finished second with 81 votes. The Germany international joined as part of Liverpool’s summer spending spree, which also brought in Hugo Ekitike  and Milos Kerkez, as the club look to retain the Premier League title. Former Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, now in charge of Real Madrid, has called Wirtz “world class.” The midfielder has said his ambition is to “win everything every year” and to help Liverpool defend the league title while pushing further in the Champions League. Wirtz was central to Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic campaign in 2023/24, winning the Bundesliga and German Cup before losing to Atalanta in the Europa League final. He was also named Bundesliga Player of the Year.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has called out UEFA for omitting details about the death of former Palestine international Suleiman al-Obeid in its tribute post. Obeid, nicknamed the “Palestinian Pele,” died on Wednesday after being shot by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza Strip while people were waiting for humanitarian aid, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA). He was 41. UEFA posted on X: “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele’. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.” In response, Salah wrote: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” Obeid, born in Gaza City, was married with five children and made 24 appearances for the Palestinian national team.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s James Milner will don the number 20 shirt this season as a tribute to former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month. Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in early July when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames in northwestern Spain. The Portuguese forward had worn the number 20 during his time at Liverpool, where he and Milnerplayed together for three seasons before the veteran midfielder’s move to Brighton in 2023. “Once I heard Carlos (Baleba) was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and obviously pay tribute to Diogo Jota,” Milner said. “(He was) an amazing player I was fortunate to play with and a great friend as well. So it’d be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League.” Liverpool are permanently retiring the number 20 after consultation with the player’s wife, Rute, and family. The squad number will not be used at any level, including the women’s team and academy. The 39-year-old Milner recently agreed a one-year contract extension with Brighton and is chasing Premier League history of his own. With 638 Premier League appearances already to his name, he sits within striking distance of Gareth Barry’s all-time record of 653 games.

Callum Wilson has officially left Newcastle United following the expiry of his contract this summer. The 32-year-old striker struggled for game time last season, starting just two Premier League matches as Alexander Isak became Eddie Howe’s first-choice forward. Howe previously praised Wilson’s impact, saying: “Callum Wilson is and has been just an incredible footballer for Newcastle… someone who epitomizes the spirit that’s got us to where we are.” Wilson turned down a new deal last week and has now confirmed his departure with a farewell message: “It’s time to say goodbye after an unbelievable few years in the Toon…I am so proud to have worn the iconic number 9 shirt…All good things come to an end but there’s no doubt Newcastle United will always have a place in mine and my family’s hearts.” Wilson joined Newcastle from Bournemouth in 2020 and scored 46 goals in 106 appearances. Recently-promoted Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing him ahead of the new season as manager Daniel Farke looks to strengthen his attack.

Mohamed Salah  has been named among the six nominees for the 2023/24 PFA Men’s Player of the Year award. The Liverpool forward was instrumental in his side’s Premier League title win, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists. The 33-year-old Egyptian also won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award, earning nearly 90% of the vote and is considered the frontrunner for the PFA honour. Joining him on the shortlist are: The winners will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 19.

Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal and Atletico Madrid midfielder, has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Monday. The alleged offences involve three women and reportedly occurred between 2021 and 2022. Two of the rape charges relate to one woman, three to a second woman, and the sexual assault charge concerns a third woman. An investigation was launched in February 2022 following an initial report. Partey, 32, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 5. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.” Anyone with information has been urged to contact detectives at CIT@met.police.uk. Jaswant Narwal of the Crown Prosecution Service reminded the public: “Criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. Please avoid any commentary or posts that could affect the case.” Partey, a Ghana international, is currently without a club after leaving Arsenal this summer following 167 appearances. He joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in 2020.

The 20-year-old England U21 international will return to the Blues. The team where he once played as a youth before joining Manchester City’s academy. Gittens moved to Dortmund in 2022 and has since made 107 appearances, scoring 17 goals. This move comes after Chelsea declined the chance to make Jadon Sancho’s loan permanent and amid the provisional suspension of Mykhailo Mudryk following a failed drugs test. Gittens becomes Chelsea’s fourth signing of the summer, joining Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and Mamadou Sarr. He’ll also be joined later in the summer by Brazilian teenage star Estevao Willian. Estevao will arrive after his Club World Cup campaign with Palmeiras. Both Chelsea and Dortmund are currently competing in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.