Arsenal forward, Theo Walcott has signed a new three-and-a-half year deal worth £100,000 a week with the London club.

The deal ends weeks of speculation about the future of the 23-year-old who is the club’s top scorer yet this season, after he turned down a £75,000-a-week offer last August.

Earlier in the season, Wenger had secured new contracts for Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson. Joining Walcott to the list gives him a lot of happiness.

“We are all delighted that Theo has signed a new contract,” he said. “He joined us as a 16-year-old, and since then has developed very well to become an extremely important player for both Arsenal Football Club and England.

He described Walcott has a strong player and also a great person, saying the combination of his ability and pace makes him such a valuable asset either from the flanks or down the middle.

“Theo’s contract extension now gives us a strong nucleus of ambitious young players who have committed to the club and want to be successful with us as a group,” he added.

Walcott himself expressed happiness at extending his Arsenal career despite reported interest from the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

"I am very happy to have signed a new contract here,” he said. “Thanks to everyone for their continued support — the manager, everyone at the club and, most importantly, the fans.

“I have made it clear from the start that I wanted to stay at Arsenal, so I am pleased we have agreed a deal that everyone is happy with. What’s important now is for the team to realise its potential and win trophies.”

 

Former Barcelona FC coach, Josep Guardiola has been appointed the coach of Bayern Munich Fc of Germany, beginning from the 2013/2014 season. Guardiola departed Camp Nou in 2012 after winning a total of 14 trophies in a space of just four seasons.

At the bundesliga club where he has signed a four-year deal until 2016, he succeeds Jupp Heynckes, who ascended the position in 2011 but confirmed late last that he would be relinquishing the post at the end of the current season.

A host of top European clubs, including last year’s Champions League winners, Chelsea, and Manchester United had been linked to the Spaniard but he opted for Munich in the end. “We are very pleased that we have succeeded [in appointing] the football expert Pep Guardiola, who was courted by many famous clubs and contacts,” said Bayern CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches in the world and we are sure that he can [help] not just Bayern, but German football, shine.”

He also praised outgoing coach, saying, “As a club and as Jupp Heynckes' friends, we have to show understanding for this decision. We have to accept it and we have to respect it. “During personal talks with Jupp Heynckes, we assured each other that we will do anything we can, and now even more, to have a successful second half of the season, in which we want to get the title to Munich.”

Management of Startimes Nigeria on Tuesday unveiled plans to bid for the hosting rights of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Director Operations, Startimes, Maxwell Loko disclosed this at a press conference held in Abuja, saying the company has injected N15bn over the past two years since its entry into the Nigerian economy, via the digital terrestrial television network otherwise known as pay television.

Loko explained that the firm is currently perfecting negotiations to acquire hosting rights to air the forthcoming African Cup of Nations. He also unveiled additional packages to be provided by the company, including DVB-T2 decoder, M50 Mobile TV phone and the launch of the Door-to-Door service.\

According to Loko, the DVB-T2 technology’s unique advantage is its ability to offer more educative, informative and entertaining programmes, one frequency having the capacity for 25 channels.

Loko explained that the latest introduction places Nigeria at the same level with other African countries like Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda where, Startimes had introduced the technology.

"Besides the African Cup of Nations, which will be provided on the bouquet for Nigerians to enjoy, the Startimes DVB-T2 decoder will gather over seventy channels of great sport, music, movies, news, kids and teens entertainment, documentary, religion and lots more,” he assured.

“Other exciting channels to join the T2 decoder channel list soon are WAP TV, EuropeSports News, Africa Movie Channel, A Music Channel (AMC), Business TV, Freshwave among others.”

Loko also noted that the company has captured 16 states and promised that the expansion programme will establish its presence in 15 other states 

The Chinese company, currently sharing partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), described terrestrial broadcasting all over the world as being capital-intensive.

On his part, Chief Operating Officer of Starttimes, Joshua Wang reiterated that the focus of the company is beyond profit-making but rather the challenge of achieving its corporate social responsibility, especially in relation to migration policy from analogue to digital broadcasting in the country.

“Our mission is to ensure that every home in Nigeria enjoys affordable digital entertainment backed by the collaboration with NTA, a strategic partnership that will help Nigeria in actualising its 2015 transition deadline,” he added.

Sandro Rosell, President of Barcelona FC has affirmed that Tito Villanova will return to his managerial duties within twenty one days.

The coach has been sidelined since mid-December, following a relapse with parotid gland cancer.

Rosell hopes that the Tito Villanova will be able to cope with his chemotherapy and coaching Barca, but insists that Vilanova’s recovery is the priority over footballing matters.

The club president told reporters in Dubai: "He will return to work in 15 or 20 days, but he will be going back and forth from the hospital and he will be resting.

“He's going to combine the treatment with his work. The most important thing is his health. For the moment, football comes second."

Rosell avoided stating that Xavi and Carles Puyol will be given new contracts at Camp Nou, but the chief insisted that he wants the Barca legends to stay with the squad.

"They are among the best players for Barcelona and for Spain, and they are important for society because they are a great example to young people,” he added. “I hope they will remain at the club in some capacity in the future."

While on the topic of contracts, Rosell also said he believed the fact that two recent signings took pay cuts to join the Blaugrana shows the commitment players have to the Catalan club.

"We have signed two players in Cesc Fabregas and Javier Mascherano who both earn a lower salary than at their previous club,” he said. “They also paid the commission on their transfer fee. They really wanted to play for us. It's a beautiful thing."

Nigeria Coach, Stephen Keshi released the final list of the Super Eagles squad to the 2013 edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Portland Timbers of USA striker, Bright Dike, emerging the major omission from the initial 27-man contingent in camp.

Thirty-two-year captain of the team, Joseph Yobo will play in his sixth Nations Cup, which he long reckoned may be his final tournament.

Yobo began his career as a forward during the 10th FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999, which Nigeria hosted, and then went on to star for the senior team at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 editions, four of which the country won bronze at.

A disappointed Bright Dike wished the team well and expressed hope that he would be considered for future tournaments, the World Cup especially.

“I am disappointed not to make the AFCON final list,” he said. “But I am thankful for the experience and opportunity. I was hoping to be at the tournament, that's soccer for you. Now I am looking forward to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the tournament itself.”

Keshi had earlier dropped Papa Idris (Enyimba, Nigeria), Kalu Uche of Reizpur in Turkey (who was injured), Rabiu Ibrahim (Kilamrock, Scotland) and Henry Uche (Enyimba, Nigeria). And on the final day Raheem Lawal, Benjamin Francis, Solomon Kwande and Heartland Fc goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi joined Bright Dike on the rejection list.

Chelsea FC of England midfielder, John Mikel Obi will join other stars of the team such as 11-year veteran goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, and experienced forward Ikechukwu Uche at the tournament.

Below is the full list:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel), and Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (SC Braga, Portugal), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache, Turkey), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands), and Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway), and Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria), Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

 

 

Argentine and Barcelona playmaker, Lionel Messi has been named winner of the 2012 FIFA Player of the Year award (also known as Ballon d’Or), thus completing a remarkable year in which he shattered series of histories.

Messi’s 91 goals in the 2012 calendar were the highest by any footballer, and he has now completed his record-replete year by becoming the first footballer to win the Ballon d’Or a whopping four times.

At the award, held in Zurich on Monday, Messi received 41.60 per cent of votes cast by coaches and captains of national teams. Christiano Ronaldo claimed 23.68 per cent of the votes to place second while Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta emerged third with 10.91 per cent of votes.

“To tell the truth, this is really unbelievable to get the fourth award. I am so nervous,” Messi said at the event.

In other award categories, the Female Coach of the Year 2012 award went to Pia Sundhage, former coach of US women national team

Coach of the Spanish national team, Vincent Del Bosque was named Male Coach of the Year while the FIFA Presidential Award went to German Franz Beckembauer.

The Uzbeskistan Football Federation won the Fair Play award, Miroslav Stoch won the Puskas Award for Best Goal of the Year, and Aby Wambach won the FIFA Female Footballer of the Year award.

 

The Super Eagles will on Thursday, Dec. 27 depart for Faro in Portugal via  Accra, Ghana for the final phase of their preparation for the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

The team would on Thursday morning in Abuja have their last training session in the local camping phase of their preparations.

The team of players, coaches and other members would then depart same day by 3 p.m for Accra.

Team head coach Stephen Keshi told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that players who would not be making the trip to Portugal would be decamped on Thursday.

“It’s a shame that we can’t take all of them to Faro, but what they have done here shows that they are true professionals.

“This is the type of high level commitment that I am looking for, especially when players know that they are not going to travel and they still put in their best.

“It breaks my heart that I can’t take everyone of them to Portugal, but it’s good that they gave a good account of themselves for the future,’’ Keshi said.

The Super Eagles would play a friendly match with Catalonia on Jan. 2 as part of their build-up for the 2013 AFCON, otherwise known as the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Eagles are in Group C alongside defending champions Zambia, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso for the competition’s 29th edition scheduled for Jan. 19 to Feb. 10 in South Africa.

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