11 Celebrities Who Back Football Clubs: Snoop Dogg, Stormzy...

Music Stars and Their Football Ventures

The world of football has long captured the hearts of millions, but it's not just fans who are drawn to the beautiful game. Many music stars have taken a step beyond being supporters and have invested in football clubs, creating unique intersections between the worlds of music and sports. From major league teams to local non-league clubs, these artists have made their mark on the pitch.

Snoop Dogg: A New Chapter with Swansea City

Snoop Dogg, the iconic rapper known for his laid-back style and influential career, has recently become a co-owner and investor in Swansea City. This move marks a significant shift in his relationship with football, as he took a minority stake in the Championship club. The 53-year-old artist was the surprise model for Swansea’s home kit launch for the 2025-26 season.

Snoop expressed his excitement about joining the ownership group, noting that the story of the club and its working-class roots resonated with him. “This is a proud, working-class city and club. An underdog that bites back, just like me,” he said on the club’s website. His involvement adds a new dimension to the club’s identity and brings a fresh wave of attention from his fanbase.

Ed Sheeran: Supporting Ipswich Town

Grammy Award-winning singer Ed Sheeran has been a long-time supporter of Ipswich Town, showing his commitment through both sponsorship and investment. In 2021, he became the club’s shirt sponsor, with his logo appearing on both men's and women's kits. This partnership helped raise the profile of the club, bringing additional media attention and a unique connection between his music and football.

Sheeran also acquired a minority stake in the club last year, hoping to see Ipswich promoted back to the Premier League. His continued support highlights the deep bond between music and football, especially at the grassroots level.

Drake and Stormzy: Expanding Their Reach

Drake, one of the biggest names in the music industry, joined forces with LeBron James as an investor in AC Milan in October 2022. His influence extended beyond football, as his OVO owl logo appeared on Barcelona’s shirts during El Clasico as part of a sponsorship deal with Spotify.

Stormzy, a prominent grime artist, took over at AFC Croydon Athletic in 2023, teaming up with Crystal Palace legend Wilfried Zaha. This partnership brought a new energy to the club, which competes in the ninth tier of English football. While the team finished 12th in the Isthmian League South East Division in the 2024-25 season, the collaboration highlights the growing interest of musicians in supporting local football.

Elton John: A Longtime Fan of Watford

Elton John, a three-time Grammy winner, has been a lifelong fan of Watford. In 1976, he became the club’s owner, leading them from the fourth division to the top flight. Under his ownership, Watford achieved several milestones, including finishing as league runners-up to Liverpool and reaching the FA Cup final.

Although he sold the club in 1987, he repurchased it again 10 years later before stepping down as chairman in 2002. Despite no longer being a majority shareholder, he still holds a financial interest and has a stand named after him at Vicarage Road.

Other Notable Investments

Fatboy Slim invested £100,000 into Brighton and Hove Albion in 1999, with his Skint Records logo appearing on the club’s shirts. He later launched a limited-edition Brighton shirt in 2004 to celebrate his album release.

Olly Murs, known for hits like "Troublemaker," invested in Coggeshall Town after playing for them. He co-owned the club for six years before stepping down in 2022.

Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix became a shareholder in South Shields FC in 2020, helping the club achieve promotion to the National League North within three years.

D’Banj, an Afrobeats star, founded Koko FC in Nigeria, encouraging aspiring players to showcase their skills online. Ciara, Russell Wilson, and Macklemore are part of the ownership group of Seattle Sounders, which won the CONCACAF Champions League in 2022.

These examples illustrate how music and football continue to intersect, creating exciting opportunities for both industries. Whether through sponsorship, investment, or ownership, these artists bring their unique flair to the world of football, enriching the experience for fans and players alike.

Read More

Top 10 European Clubs Earned Most from Selling Players to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has experienced a surge of talent from European clubs in recent seasons, with Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Al-Nassr serving as the trigger for significant moves to occur.

A significant amount of money has been invested in acquiring talent from Europe, with certain clubs experiencing greater effects than others.

In this analysis, we have examined the 10 European football clubs that have generated the highest revenue from selling players to Saudi Arabia.

10. Roma

Roma transferred three athletes to the Saudi Pro League within two years, including Roger Ibanez, who reportedly joined Al-Ahli for €23 million (£19.9m) during the 2023-24 season.

The next year, Houssem Aouar moved to Al-Ittihad for €12 million (£10.4m), while Joao Costa signed with Al-Ittihad for €9 million (£7.8m).

9. Fulham

Fulham's forward Mitrovic concluded a highly productive period with the Cottagers, during which he scored over 100 goals, by making a £50 million transfer to Al-Hilal.

Mitrovic is the sole player that Fulham has transferred to the Saudi Pro League, yet the scale of the deal ranked among the largest, placing them ninth on the list.

=7. Zenit

Zenit has also transferred only one player to the Saudi Pro League, but it was a significant deal. They acquired Brazilian winger Malcom from Barcelona in 2019 for £36 million, and four years later, he moved to Al-Hilal.

The transfer fee was around £51.9 million, making the winger the fourth priciest acquisition in the history of the Saudi Pro League.

=7. Wolves

The most significant transfer of Wolves to the Saudi Pro League was their top player, with Ruben Neves moving to the league for £47 million in 2023.

They subsequently transferred Daniel Podence to Al-Shabab for around £5 million the next season, matching the Molineux team's transfer fee with Zenit on the list.

6. Liverpool

Liverpool weakened their midfield by transferring two key players to the Saudi Pro League in 2023.

Fabinho made the priciest transfer, signing with Al-Ittihad for £40 million in July. Around the same time, captain Jordan Henderson moved to Al-Ettifaq for £12 million, reuniting with former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, who was coaching the team then.

5. Chelsea

In 2023, Chelsea transferred two key first-team players to the Saudi Pro League, namely Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly.

The first one joined Al-Ahli for £16 million, while Koulibaly transferred to Al-Hilal for £20 million.

The Blues executed a shrewd transfer move the next year, when they sold Angelo Gabriel to Al-Nassr for more than £19 million, even though the winger had never featured for the club. This increased their total sales to Saudi to £55 million.

4. Manchester City

The city has earned roughly £75 million from sales to the Saudi Pro League, with all the assets they released still among the best in their respective fields.

Riyad Mahrez, who remains a dynamic winger, was sold for the highest fee when he joined Al-Ahli in 2023 for £30 million.

Al-Nassr have gained from City's decision to sell star players, as in the same summer, they acquired Aymeric Laporte for an estimated £23.6 million, and later brought in Joao Cancelo for £21.2 million the next year.

3. Paris Saint-Germain

PSGgenerated approximately £89 million from sales to the Saudi Pro League, with a significant portion of that amount locked in a single transaction.

Neymar's transfer to Al-Hilal for £77.8 million represents the largest sum ever paid by a Saudi club in its history.

During the same summer, PSG allowed Georginio Wijnaldum to join Al Ettifaq for about £6.9 million, while Danilo Pereira moved to Al-Ittihad the next year for roughly £4.3 million.

2. Porto

Porto has transferred players worth £95 million – only two – to the Saudi Pro League, marking their largest and fifth-largest exits in history.

The major transfer involved Otavio, an attacking midfielder, who moved to Al-Nassr in 2023 for a fee of £51.9 million.

One year later, Brazilian winger Galeno moved to Al-Ahli for £43.2 million.

Porto have recently reacquired some talent from Saudi Arabia, acquiring Gabri Veiga from Al-Ahli, following the 23-year-old's move to the club from Celta Vigo in 2023.

1. Aston Villa

The Villa club has completed two significant transfers to the Saudi Pro League, ranking as the second and third most costly signings in the league's history.

A long-standing story involving Jhon Duran in January concluded with the forward's £71 million transfer to Al-Nassr, although he has since moved on to Fenerbahce.

That occurred six months after Moussa Diaby moved to Al Ittihad in a deal valued slightly above £50 million.

Read More

Durand Cup Prize Pool Tripled to ₹3 Cr

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 17 (ANI): The 134thDurand Cup Organizing Committee (DCOC) stated that the overall cash prize fund for this year's tournament will triple to ₹3 Crore. The announcement was made during the trophy presentation ceremony in Kolkata as the City of Joy prepared to host Asia's oldest football competition. In addition to the winners and runners-up, teams that reach the semi-finals and quarterfinals, as well as three individual awards, will also receive a portion of the prize money, according to a statement.Durand Cup.

The three awards of theDurand Cupwere displayed here at AOI Vijay Durg in the presence ofAroop Biswas, Minister-in-Charge, Department of Power, Housing, Youth Services & Sports, Government of West Bengal, who served as the Chief Guest at the event. Also in attendance wereRajesh Kumar SinhaIAS, Principal Secretary, Housing, Youth Services & Sports, Disaster Management & Civil Defence Department, Government of West Bengal, Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra AVSM, SM, Chief of Staff HQ Eastern Command and ChairmanDurand CupPlanning Committee and Maj Gen Rajesh Arun Moghe VSM, General Officer Commanding Bengal Sub Area and Vice-Chairman ofDurand Cup Organising Committee.

The three shining items of silverware, theDurand Cup, the original prize and the rollingShimla Trophy(unveiled by Shimla residents in 1904), along with the President's Cup, which the victors retain permanently, were presented by the honored guests.

Speaking on the occasion Aroop Biswas, said, "With more media attention scheduled for theDurand Cupand the Honorable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attending the grand finale on August 23rd, the ambiance is expected to be vibrant. Ticket distributions for prominent clubs suchMohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan SC, and Diamond Harbour FC have also been confirmed to ensure robust fan presence. A ticket allocation of 5,000 each has been set aside forMohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan SC, and Diamond Harbour FC to maintain an energetic supporter presence in the audience. We extend our best wishes to all the teams as they take part in Asia's oldest and most renowned football competition," as stated in a press release byDurand Cup.

Rajesh Kumar Sinha IAS mentioned, "The Durand Cuphas returned to its former glory over the past six years following its hosting in Kolkata. The government has also invested ₹15 Cr on theDurand CupThe significant role played by all departments in West Bengal, under the forward-thinking leadership of Chief Minister Smt. Mamta Banerjee, who are eager to support the seamless organization of the tournament, is highly valuable.

Additionally, speaking at the event, Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra said, "I am pleased to announce that this year's tournament has greatly increased its prize money, rising from below ₹1.2 Cr in previous years to over ₹3 Cr now. Moreover, three new SUVs will be awarded to the top individual performers. This demonstrates our increasing dedication to recognizing outstanding performance and drawing the finest talent from throughout the country. With its enthusiastic supporters, historic clubs, and exceptional football culture, Kolkata continues to be the spiritual center of the sport in India. We sincerely appreciate the Chief Minister of West Bengal, the State Sports Minister, the Department of Sports, and all relevant government departments for their consistent support in enabling this phase of the tournament. Since 2019, under the guidance of HQ Eastern Command, the tournament has expanded not only in size but also in reputation, credibility, and professional standards."

Major General Rajesh Arun Moghe expressed his views, "This year, the tournament will proceed with the League-cum-Knockout system that has worked effectively for us. A total of 24 teams, split into six groups, will take part across five states, with two groups playing their games right here in Kolkata. Kolkata will host 15 matches, including one quarterfinal, semifinal, and the final match. We are also pleased to offer a platform for four emerging local teams: 1-Ladakh FC, South United FC, Bodoland FC, and Rangdajied United FC. I would like to sincerely thank the Sports and related departments of the Government of West Bengal, the Kolkata Police, and all our partners and sponsors, IOCL, SBI, CIL, and Sony, whose support reflects a common dedication to football and our youth."

Kolkata will be the venue for two groups and a total of 15 matches, featuring a quarterfinal, semifinal, and the final, all taking place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) and the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK). EmamiEast BengalFC, Indian Air Force FT andDurand CupFirst-time participants Namdhari FC and South United FC, based in Bengaluru, are placed in Group A, withEast Bengaland South United FC competing against each other in the first game of the competition on July 23rd at VYBK.

Last year's runners up Mohun BaganSuper Big, another prominent team from KolkataMohammedan SC, Border Security Force FT and another Kolkata team Diamond Harbour FC will be competing in Group B, featuring the Kolkata derby betweenMohun Bagan Super Giant and Mohammedan SCwill take place on July 31st at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan. (ANI)

Read More

Comparing Mohamed Salah’s insane 2024-25 stats to Luis Suarez’s historic 2013-14

Luis Suarez's 2013-14 season with Liverpool is commonly considered among the greatest individual seasons in Premier League history. However, could Mohamed Salah eclipse it in the current year? We've closely examined the statistics.

Liverpool were almost robbed of the Premier League title by Manchester City in 2013-14, but they likely wouldn't have had a chance without Suarez at his absolute best.

The Uruguayan was undoubtedly the key player for Brendan Rodgers' Reds that year, having scored 31 goals, all of them from open play, and surprisingly outpacing every other player in the league with 10 more goals. Not only did he excel as a scorer, but he also provided a total of 12 assists for his teammates during the season.

He had missed the initial games of the season due to serving the remainder of a suspension handed down after biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in the previous season. However, since his extended layoff, he had been an integral part of Liverpool's surprise push for the championship title.

In that year, Liverpool did not participate in the European competition, and Suarez made only three additional appearances in the two domestic cup competitions.

This season, Arne Slot's team, Liverpool, is actively competing on multiple fronts. They have secured the top position in the group stage of the 32-team Champions League, plus they have advanced to the semi-finals of the League Cup and progressed past the first round of the FA Cup.

With the arrival of early February, the possibility of an unprecedented quadruple title remains on the table, largely due to Salah's remarkable recent performance.

Liverpool's Egyptian superstar has achieved 25 goals and 17 assists in all competitions, with an impressive 21 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League, making him the top player in both categories.

We have the rest of the business portion of the campaign ahead and Mohamed Salah has played almost as many minutes as Luis Suarez did during the entire 2013-14 season for Liverpool in all competitions.

Looking at Premier League data, how does Salah stack up? We've analyzed their goal and assist tallies, as well as their penalty record, including the rate per minute, to put these two modern Liverpool icons side by side.

Here's how they compare to each other:

Mohamed Salah – 2024-25

23

23

0

21

13

6

96

135

46

Luis Suarez – 2013-14

33

33

0

31

12

0

96

96

75

READ MORE

Read More

EPL: Manchester United sign Patrick Dorgu on long-term deal

Manchester United have officially confirmed the signing of Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, pending visa and registration approval.

Denmark International has secured a contract that will continue through June 2030, with an optional one-year extension facility beyond that.

The club's official website featured a statement titled, "Transfer news: United sign Patrick Dorgu," confirming the transfer.

Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Patrick Dorgu has joined the club, pending visa and registration, please.

Lorenzo Digits, 20, arrives at Old Trafford after making 57 appearances for Lecce, contributing five goals.

Jersey no 13

The Danish player will wear the jersey with the number 13 on it.

A statement on the club's website has been made.

The Denmark international follows in the footsteps of players like Ji-sung Park, Brian McClair and John Curtis, who have previously held that particular position in the team.

The last goalkeeper to hold it was Lee Grant in the 2021/22 season.

The effective defender has been performing exceptionally well this season, ranking second in ground duels won in Serie A and attempting the fourth-most take-ons by any defender in the league.

He also announced himself on the world stage in a spectacular manner, scoring with his first touch in his Denmark debut in September.

Dorgu reacts

Dorgu expressed his excitement about the move, stating: "I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player; this is a very special day for my whole family."

“I am eager to collaborate with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the club's future excites me greatly. A distinct plan has been outlined for my growth, and I believe Manchester United is the ideal environment to realize my abilities and accomplish my vast aspirations.”

Manchester United's technical director, Jason Wilcox, has expressed great admiration for the team's recent addition.

He expressed, "Patrick is a highly exciting talent, with his strong defensive and attacking skills, versatility and work ethic that will make him a vital component of Ruben Amorim's team.

Patrick has had an outstanding beginning to his professional career, and at 20 years of age, we have every confidence that he will continue to progress significantly under the mentorship of our highly skilled coaching staff.

We're pleased to welcome Patrick, a talented young player who joins our squad with incredible potential. We firmly believe that his abilities are top-notch and he has the potential to make a significant contribution to our team's ambitions of achieving success.

Dorgu's arrival makes him another major signing for United's long-term project, as manager Ruben Amorim is building a team that prioritizes young talent, energy, and the potential to be among the best, according to the club's statement.

READ MORE...

Read More

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher reveal their Arsenal vs Man City predictions

Arsenal will be hosting Manchester City on Sunday, February 2nd, for a highly anticipated Premier League match at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are trailing nine points behind the leaders Liverpool in the standings and need a victory to stay within striking distance of the top team through Arsenal Slot's group.

Manchester United legend and renowned football analyst Gary Neville and his fellow commentator Jamie Carragher have shared their forecasts.

Photo

Neville forecasts the Arsenal vs Man City outcome

Arsenal and Manchester City drew 2-2 in their last encounter, but the upcoming game may significantly influence the final position of the Premier League championship.

Following Liverpool's convincing 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, Arsenal are now under intense pressure to secure a win over Manchester City.

The defending champions begin this match following a convincing 3-1 win over Chelsea last weekend and a spot earned in the Champions League playoffs.

Interestingly, Mikel Arteta's team have defeated Manchester City only once since 2015, with their win occurring in October 2023.

Arsenal's Neville is confident of a decisive victory.

"I'm going to go Arsenal 3-0. I thought City were there for the taking last Saturday against Chelsea," said Neville according to Metro Sports.

I just believe Arsenal will have too much energy and that it'll be one of those matches where if they score a goal, they'll immediately pull away from Man City.

Carragher forecasts a much more competitive game.

I believe Arsenal have outperformed Manchester City so far this season. In order for Arsenal to prevail, they need to create an exciting and high-paced match.

I think Arsenal currently hold a slight advantage in midfield and I foresee a match result of 2-1 favoring them.

Arteta responds to Haaland

Erling Haaland dominated the headlines in September when Manchester City faced off against Arsenal, warning Arteta to "stay humble".

Arsenal supporters brought up the criticism during Manchester City's poor recent performance.

Arteta played it down, saying whatever happens on the field stays on the field.

High-Performance Computer Predicts Premier League Winner

Also mentioned is Opta supercomputer's forecast for the 2024/25 Premier League champion following matchday 22.

Liverpool remain the clear front-runners with a 91.5% likelihood in the current predictions.

The Gunners have an 8.2% chance, which may decrease if they lose to Manchester City on Sunday.

Read More