Burnley Stadium
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- NFL star Malcolm Jenkins invests in Premier League Burnley #BURNLEYFC

October 21, 2021
NFL star Malcolm Jenkins is part of the ALK Capital investment group that took over Burnley last year, the club has revealed. Jenkins, a two-time Super Bowl winner, visited Turf Moor for the first time over the weekend. The 33-year-old, who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints, has a minority stake in the club. “I’m excited to enter this new relationship, as Burnley FC is known for its tenacity, work ethic, good sportsmanship and efficient operational infrastructure. “It’s a great fit for me personally and my company to invest in the growth of the sport alongside a historic organization that aligns with our company values,” he told the club’s website. “I think the club’s doing a great job with some of the updates around the stadium and to see the vision of where they want to go in creating a venue that’s not only a great place to come and watch a game is really exciting.” Jenkins was given a tour of Turf Moor alongside chairman Alan Pace before watching the Clarets’ 2-0 defeat at Manchester City over the weekend. “It was great to welcome Malcolm and his team to Turf Moor at the weekend and give them their first live taste of Premier League action,” added Pace. “Malcolm has a wealth of high-level experience, not only as an elite sportsman, but through his successful business and philanthropic enterprises. “We’re thrilled to have him as part of our investment group and look forward to him helping our efforts to develop the club both on and off the pitch.”
Gao Jisheng Southampton Owner
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #WesleyHoedt joins Anderlecht on permanent deal from Saints #SAINTSFC

June 18, 2021
The defender, who has not featured for Saints since November 2018, has signed a four-year deal with the Belgian club, who are managed by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany. Hoedt, 27, arrived at Saints from Lazio for £15million in 2017, but only made 45 appearances, scoring once. After featuring regularly during his first season at the club under former boss Mauricio Pellegrino, Hoedt eventually fell out of favour when Mark Hughes took over. The Dutchman joined Celta Vigo on loan in January 2019, before another temporary move followed, this time to Royal Antwerp during the following transfer window. Hoedt then returned to former club Lazio on loan in October of last year, playing 26 times in Serie A, Coppa Italia and the Champions League. Capped six times by the Netherlands, Hoedt still had one year remaining on his contract at Saints. But an agreement has now been reached for him to join Anderlecht. A brief statement from Saints read: "Southampton Football Club have come to an agreement in principle with Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht for the transfer of defender Wesley Hoedt, ahead of the deal being formally completed on June 21. "The club would like to thank Wesley for his service and wish him all the best for the future." Hoedt, who will wear the number four shirt at Anderlecht, told their website: “The contacts between RSC Anderlecht and myself have been going on for more than a year now. "There was an immediate click with (sporting director) Peter (Verbeke) and Vincent but we had to wait for the right moment. "For me, the choice for RSC Anderlecht is primarily a sporting choice. I want to help make this project a success, to go for the highest again. "It is up to myself and (teammate) Lior (Refaelov) to give the dressing room the necessary maturity. And help the many young players develop to the fullest.” Verbeke added: “With Hoedt, we add leadership and experience to the team. This balance is necessary to allow our many young players to develop optimally and to strive for results. "Wesley is also good on the ball and plays with guts and confidence, which fits very well with the football this club wants to bring.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton chairman #TonyBloom says best is yet to come from Brighton academy #BHAFC

June 17, 2021
But he is “really encouraged” by progress made since the club stepped up their investment in player development. Academy graduates Robert Sanchez and Ben White are currently on international duty with Spain and England respectively at Euro 2020. Another reminder of the talent emerging came this week as under-23s skipper Teddy Jenks went on loan to Scottish big guns Aberdeen. Jenks will be tackling top-tier and European football with the Dons. Although many fans will hope not, White could provide a massive pay-off if he leaves this summer. What the club have been saved in transfer fees and wages can only be guessed at – but, for Bloom, it is still early days. Albion’s chairman told The Argus: “It was a huge decision to make, not only to find the first team a training ground but we put a huge amount of infrastructure and resources into the academy set-up which was always going to be long-term. “It’s eight years on and we are still early days, still catching up with some other clubs who have had this infra-structure in for many years before us. “But I am really encouraged by how the academy is doing, the players it is bringing forward. Even if some of the players on the verge of our squad don’t quite get into it, they have got an opportunity to perhaps be transferred and play in the Championship or League One. “We really want all of our players to do as well as they can and to ideally be professionals. “Obviously there is always disappointment, there is always a significant percentage who can’t do that. “But our job is to help those players get the best careers they can lower down the pyramid if they are not going to be in our squad. “So overall really encouraging and huge credit to (academy director) John Morling and all the staff.” Albion have combined local players with those signed from around the globe in their academy squads. They lead the way in terms of Prem minutes by homegrown players while the under-18s won their Premier League cup last season. It was put to Bloom that, rather than playing catch-up, Albion are now forging ahead in terms of academy football. But he is cautious when asked to go that far. He replied: “Eight years in terms of an academy, because you start from under-nines, is not a long time. “But, given the results and given the players coming through, we may have caught up with a lot of clubs and perhaps even overtaken them. That’s the goal. Let’s see how the next few years go. “But its really encouraging, the last few years in particular.” There are clearly high hopes for Jenks, who was a dominant force striding forward from midfield in the 23s last season. Speaking on the Footy, The Albion And Three podcast towards the end of the season, former skipper Gordon Greer backed Jenks to go into a competitive senior league environment in the 2021-22 campaign. He said: “Teddy is a player who I think the next step for him is to get a loan move and play in the league. LEANDRO TROSSARD HOPES TO GET ON FOR BELGIUM SPAIN PUT ROBERT SANCHEZ IN THE FIRING LINE “Jensen Weir has impressed as well. Again, the next step would be to get out and play in the league somewhere.” Weir could well follow Jenks out on loan. There will also be much interest in another top academy prospect in goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who was named the club’s young player of the season for 2020-21.