News
Fabregas affirms Arsenal loyalty
Lionel Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has no intention of following Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain or moving anywhere else. Instead, the 22-year-old wants to help the Gunners to UEFA Champions League glory.
Fabregas is no stranger to speculation over his own future, having broken into the Arsenal first-team while still a teenager. However, the former Barcelona youth player firmly believes he can achieve all of his club ambitions at the Emirates Stadium, where he is the heartbeat of Arsene Wenger's side.
Of course I see my future at Arsenal. I have a very long contract with the club. The boss knows that I really want to stay here.
Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas
"Of course I see my future at Arsenal. I have a very long contract with the club," Fabregas said in an interview with Arsenal TV Online, which was conducted before today's official announcement on Ronaldo's impending £80m move from Manchester United to Real Madrid.
Barca and Real to tour North America
Newly-crowned European champions Barcelona and their big-spending arch rivals Real Madrid both announced pre-season tours of North America on Thursday.
Ahead of the 2009/10 campaign Real will be showing off costly new signings in Brazilian playmaker Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is set for a world record transfer from Manchester United.
Real will play in Canada against Toronto FC on 7 August before tackling DC United in Washington two days later.
Barcelona, who also won the Spanish league title last month, are viewed by many as the most exciting team in Europe. They are due to take on Los Angeles Galaxy on 1 August and Seattle Sounders four days later.
Fans in Britain can also catch Barcelona and their star man Lionel Messi at Wembley in London against locals Tottenham Hotspur on 24 July and Egypt's Al-Ahly, winners of the last two CAF Champions league titles, also at Wembley on 26 July.
Ronaldo welcomes 'historic' deal
Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo described his £80 million (€94 million) move to Real Madrid as "historic", according to comments in the British press on Friday.
"The deal is historic - that is quite a sum of money," the 24-year-old was quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror from Los Angeles, where he is on holiday with his family. "It's flattering when two of the top teams in the world want you to play for them.
"I learned about the deal here in LA and have heard from my people that Manchester United has accepted. However, I have also been told that Madrid want to have a medical team look at me as expected. I am on vacation and will remain in LA for a bit more."
United announced Thursday they had agreed to sell Ronaldo to Real Madrid for the world record sum, with talks due to conclude by the end of June.
