Burnley have stunned the football world by signing England veteran Kyle Walker from Manchester City for around £5 million, in a deal that spans two years. The 35‑year‑old right‑back, capped 96 times by his country and decorated with 17 trophies at City, is undergoing medical tests at Turf Moor and is expected to officially join the newly promoted side imminently.

Walker, who spent the latter half of the season on loan at AC Milan and was conspicuous by his absence from City’s Club World Cup squad, elected Burnley over interest from Everton and Fenerbahçe. His arrival is more than symbolic: a reunion with manager Scott Parker, his former Tottenham teammate, and a high‑profile boost to Burnley’s bid to stay up in the Premier League.

Burnley have actively targeted experienced players this offseason—Walker joins a bolster of arrivals, including Axel Tuanzebe, Quilindschy Hartman, Max Weiss, Bashir Humphreys, Marcus Edwards, and Jaidon Anthony—to solidify their squad depth. Financially, Manchester City benefit too, saving approximately £5–10 million in wages by offloading Walker.

So what’s next? Walker is set to feature in Burnley’s pre-season fixtures and will likely become a key defensive leader at Turf Moor. With ambitions to reach 100 England caps, staying in England’s top tier with playing time at Burnley may bolster his national team prospects.

Brazilian giants Fluminense booked their place in the semifinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a gritty 2–1 victory over Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Under intense Florida heat, Fluminense combined experience and flair to overcome a determined Al Hilal side, who had shocked Manchester City earlier in the tournament.

Martinelli Opens the Show

The breakthrough came five minutes before halftime. Midfielder Matheus Martinelli found space on the edge of the area and curled a brilliant left-footed strike into the top corner, leaving Al Hilal keeper Bono rooted. It was a goal worthy of the occasion and gave the Brazilians a crucial edge heading into the break.

Hilal’s Rapid Response

Al Hilal came out firing in the second half and equalized in the 51st minute. Marcos Leonardo, one of the tournament’s standout forwards, pounced during a penalty-box scramble to fire home the equalizer, sending the Saudi fans into raptures.

Hércules Seals It

But Fluminense were not done. In the 70th minute, substitute Hércules—already a game-changer in earlier matches—delivered again. He latched onto a clever through ball and calmly slotted it past Bono to restore the lead, and ultimately, to seal the win.

A Game of Emotion and Experience

The match opened with a minute’s silence in memory of Diogo Jota, and the emotion was visible—especially among Al Hilal’s Portuguese players João Cancelo and Rúben Neves.

Veterans Thiago Silva (40) and goalkeeper Fábio (44) marshaled the Fluminense defense with composure, frustrating Al Hilal’s attacking play late in the game and preserving the lead.

What’s Next

Fluminense will now face the winner of Chelsea vs Palmeiras in the semifinals as they chase their first-ever Club World Cup title. With momentum on their side, the Brazilian outfit has sent a clear message: they’re here to make history.

Former Arsenal and Ghana Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey has been officially charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that Partey faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, linked to incidents involving three different women between 2021 and 2022.

According to UK media reports, two of the complainants have accused the footballer of rape, while a third alleges he sexually assaulted her.

The charges come after a lengthy investigation by the Metropolitan Police, and Partey is now scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5, 2025.

In a statement, the CPS emphasized that the case is now active and warned the public, especially on social media, to refrain from making comments that could jeopardize the legal process or undermine the defendant’s right to a fair trial.

Partey, 32, who last played for Arsenal and has been a key figure for Ghana’s national team over the past decade, has not publicly responded to the charges as of the time of this publication.

This development marks a significant turn in the footballer’s career and raises fresh discussions around the conduct and accountability of public figures both on and off the pitch.