abdulcare4mii: August 2017

Thursday 31 August 2017

Transfer deadline day - check all the latest completed deals

The summer transfer window formally opened on 1 July, and closed at 23:00 BST on Thursday, 31 August in England - although clubs have until 01:00 BST on Friday, 1 September to complete deals.

Players who are free agents are still able to join a new club.

Signings from June and July, plus any deals confirmed since the closure of the January transfer window, can be found on the July,June and spring 2017 editions of this page while you can see who each club has let go at the end of the 2016-17 season on our released player round-up.

For all the latest rumours check out the gossip page and, for all the manager ins and outs, see our list of current bosses.

31 August

All times BST

Premier League

23:25 - Wilfried Bony [Man City - Swansea] Undisclosed (reported £12m)

23:18 - Davide Zappacosta [Torino - Chelsea] Undisclosed

23:15 - Fernando Llorente [Swansea - Tottenham] Undisclosed (reported £15m)

22:56 - Tim Krul [Newcastle - Brighton] Loan

22:45 - Aleksandar Dragovic [Bayer Leverkusen - Leicester] Loan

20:09 - Nikola Vlasic [Hajduk Split - Everton] £10m

19:56 - Ezequiel Schelotto [Inter Milan - Brighton] Undisclosed

19:31 - Molla Wague [Udinese - Watford] Loan

18:11 - Marvin Zeegelaar [Sporting Lisbon - Watford] Undisclosed

14:45 - Nahki Wells [Huddersfield - Burnley] £5m

14:01 - Renato Sanches [Bayern Munich - Swansea] Loan

13:32 - Orestis Karnezis [Udinese - Watford] Loan

12:33 - Serge Aurier [PSG - Tottenham] £23m

12:00 - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain [Arsenal - Liverpool] £35m

Football League

23:58 - Keshi Anderson [Crystal Palace - Swindon] Loan

23:51 - Alfred N'Diaye [Villarreal - Wolves] Loan

23:50 - Oli McBurnie [Swansea - Barnsley] Loan

23:45 - Callum McManaman [West Brom - Sunderland] Undisclosed

23:45 - Jamie Allen [Rochdale - Burton Albion] Undisclosed

23:45 - Fikayo Tomori [Chelsea - Hull City] Loan

23:45 - Adam McGurk [Cambridge Utd - Morecambe] Free

23:32 - Aaron Jarvis [Basingstoke - Luton Town] Undisclosed

23:30 - Jonny Williams [Crystal Palace - Sunderland] Loan

23:29 - Richie Towell [Brighton - Rotherham] Loan

23:28 - Maikel Kieftenbeld [Birmingham - Derby] Undisclosed

23:22 - Luke Steele [Panathinaikos - Bristol City] Free

23:20 - Alex Gilbey [Wigan - MK Dons] Undisclosed

23:19 - Rory Holden [Derry City - Bristol City] Undisclosed

23:19 - Tyreeq Bakinson [Luton Town - Bristol City] Undisclosed

23:15 - Marc Wilson [Bournemouth - Sunderland] Undisclosed

23:15 - Matija Sarkic [Aston Villa - Wigan] Loan

23:15 - Clayton Donaldson [Birmingham - Sheff Utd] Undisclosed

23:10 - George Taft [Mansfield - Cambridge] Loan

23:10 - Paul Downing [MK Dons - Blackburn] Loan

23:04 - Craig Bryson [Derby - Cardiff] Loan

22:55 - Jacob Butterfield [Derby - Sheff Wed] Loan

22:55 - Sam Winnall [Sheff Wed - Derby] Loan

22:51 - Callum Lang [Wigan - Morecambe] Loan

22:50 - Liam Feeney [Blackburn - Cardiff] Loan

22:45 - Aidan Nesbitt [Celtic - MK Dons] Undisclosed

22:45 - Maxime Colin [Brentford - Birmingham] Undisclosed

22:35 - Lee Novak [Charlton - Scunthorpe] Free

22:33 - Joe Dodoo [Rangers - Charlton] Loan

22:31 - Sam Hart [Liverpool - Blackburn] Undisclosed

22:30 - Jack Ruddy [Wolves - Oldham] Loan

22:15 - Scott Golbourne [Bristol City - MK Dons] Loan

22:08 - Michael Smith [Portsmouth - Bury] Free

22:00 - Matty Kennedy [Cardiff - Portsmouth] Loan

21:51 - Callum Connolly [Everton - Ipswich] Loan

21:50 - Callum Johnson [Middlesbrough - Accrington] Loan

21:45 - Harry Middleton [Doncaster - Port Vale] Free

21:44 - Zeli Ismail [Bury - Walsall] Loan

21:36 - Martyn Woolford [Fleetwood - Grimsby] Free

21:30 - Will Miller [Tottenham - Burton] Undisclosed

21:30 - Kean Bryan [Man City - Oldham] Loan

21:01 - Rekeem Harper [West Brom - Blackburn] Loan

21:00 - Gary Gardner [Aston Villa - Barnsley] Loan

20:59 - John Mousinho [Burton - Oxford] Free

20:59 - Josh Laurent [Wigan - Bury] Loan

20:48 - Nicke Kabamba [Portsmouth - Colchester] Loan

20:30 - Ryan Inniss [Crystal Palace - Colchester] Loan

20:30 - Damien McCrory [Burton - Portsmouth] Loan

20:30 - Daniel Agyei [Burnley - Walsall] Loan

20:30 - Adam Federici [Bournemouth - Nottingham Forest] Loan

20:23 - Malakai Mars [Chelsea - Barnet] Undisclosed

20:15 - John Brayford [Sheff Utd - Burton] Free

20:05 - Alex Bruce [Bury - Wigan] Free

20:04 - Craig Noone [Cardiff - Bolton] Undisclosed

20:00 - Dan Scarr [Birmingham - Wycombe] Loan

19:50 - Calum Butcher [Millwall - Mansfield] Free

19:48 - Sean Clare [Sheff Wed - Gillingham] Loan

19:39 - Ben Heneghan [Motherwell - Sheff Utd] Undisclosed

19:30 - Jordan Williams [Liverpool - Rochdale] Loan

19:30 - Eoin Doyle [Preston - Oldham] Loan

19:30 - Jordan Graham [Wolves - Fulham] Loan

19:30 - Alex Mowatt [Barnsley - Oxford] Loan

19:20 - Lukas Raeder [Vitoria Setubal - Bradford] Free

19:15 - Manny Onariase [Brentford - Rotherham] Undisclosed

19:00 - Jota [Brentford - Birmingham] Undisclosed

18:30 - Kyle Wootton [Scunthorpe - Stevenage] Loan

18:00 - Stuart O'Keefe [Cardiff - Portsmouth] Loan

18:00 - Yohan Mollo [Zenit St Petersburg - Fulham] Free

18:00 - Charlie Wakefield [Chelsea - Stevenage] Loan

17:32 - Matt Worthington [Bournemouth - Yeovil] Loan

17:00 - Toni Gomes [Liverpool - Forest Green] Loan

17:00 - Zak Jules [Shrewsbury - Chesterfield] Loan

16:59 - Hiram Boateng [Crystal Palace - Exeter] Free

16:45 - Farrend Rawson [Derby - Accrington] Loan

16:31 - Donervon Daniels [Wigan - Rochdale] Loan

16:02 - Sanmi Odelusi [Wigan - Colchester] Free

16:00 - Reice Charles-Cook [Coventry - Swindon] Undisclosed

15:59 - Matt Ingram [QPR - Northampton] Loan

15:30 - Tom Anderson Burnley - Port Vale] Loan

15:20 - Pierre-Michel Lasogga [Hamburg - Leeds] Loan

15:02 - Jayden Stockley [Aberdeen - Exeter] Undisclosed

15:00 - Brandon Hanlan [Charlton - Colchester] Loan

15:00 - Oliver Hawkins [Dagenham & Redbridge - Portsmouth] Undisclosed

14:45 - Marvin Johnson [Oxford - Middlesbrough] Undisclosed

14:18 - Johny Placide [Unattached - Oldham]

14:15 - Harry Toffolo [Norwich - Doncaster] Loan

14:00 - Kyle Edwards [West Brom - Exeter] Loan

13:45 - Brandon Comley [QPR - Colchester] Loan

12:30 - Max Stryjek [Sunderland - Accrington] Loan

11:31 - Tom Davies [Portsmouth - Coventry] Undisclosed

10:45 - Timi Elsnik [Derby - Swindon] Loan

10:45 - Kellan Gordon [Derby - Swindon] Loan

10:32 - Jason Lowe [Blackburn - Birmingham] Free

10:30 - David Wheeler [Exeter - QPR] Undisclosed

10:00 - Pawel Cibicki [Malmo FF - Leeds] Undisclosed

09:34 - Scott Flinders [Macclesfield - Cheltenham] Free

09:00 - Jordan Houghton [Chelsea - Doncaster] Loan

09:00 - Kane Wilson [West Brom - Exeter] Loan

Scottish Premiership

22:30 - Manuel Milinkovic [Genoa to Hearts] - Loan

22:15 - Odsonne Edouard [Paris Saint-Germain - Celtic] - Loan

21:50 - Peter Hartley [Blackpool - Motherwel] - Loan

21:24 - Liam Grimshaw [Preston North End - Motherwell] - Free

20:56 - AJ Leitch-Smith [Shrewsbury Town - Dundee] - Loan

18:15 - Botti Biabi [Swansea - Hamilton] - Loan

16:30 - Paul McGinn [Chesterfield - Partick Thistle] Free

12:14 - Declan John [Cardiff - Rangers] Loan

11:30 - Ross Callachan [Raith Rovers - Hearts] Undisclosed

International

21:43 - Wahbi Khazri [Sunderland - Rennes] Loan

21:30 - Joel Campbell [Arsenal - Real Betis] Loan

21:10 - Cheick Keita [Birmingham - Bologna] Loan

20:30 - Ryan Kent [Liverpool - Freiburg] Loan

19:52 - Nampalys Mendy [Leicester - Nice] Loan

19:40 - Bojan Krkic [Stoke - Alaves] Loan

19:07 - Lucas Perez [Arsenal - Deportivo La Coruna] Loan

18:28 - Kylian Mbappe [Monaco - PSG] Loan

18:15 - Jason Denayer [Manchester City - Galatasaray] Loan

17:16 - Jadon Sancho [Manchester City - Borussia Dortmund] £10m

15:50 - Nani [Valencia - Lazio] Loan

15:20 - Papy Djilobodji [Sunderland - Dijon] Loan

15:10 - Donyell Malen [Arsenal - PSV Eindhoven] Undisclosed

15:07 - Divock Origi [Liverpool - Wolfsburg] Loan

15:00 - Robert Tesche [Birmingham - VfL Bochum] Loan

14:24 - Giannelli Imbula [Stoke - Toulouse] Loan

14:14 - Kelechi Nwakali [Arsenal - VVV-Venlo] Loan

09:30 - Matty Willock [Manchester United - FC Utrecht] Loan

30 August

Premier League

Juan Foyth [Estudiantes - Tottenham] Reported £8m

Kieran Gibbs [Arsenal - West Brom] £7m

Grzegorz Krychowiak [PSG - West Brom] Loan

Football League

Harlee Dean [Brentford - Birmingham] Undisclosed

Diego De Girolamo [Bristol City - Chesterfield] Loan

Mihai Dobre [Bournemouth - Bury] Loan

Eberechi Eze [QPR - Wycombe] Loan

Conor Grant [Everton - Crewe] Loan

Grant Hanley [Newcastle - Norwich] Undisclosed

Freddie Hinds [Bristol City - Cheltenham] Loan

Jackson Irvine [Burton - Hull] Undisclosed

Michael Ledger [Sunderland-Hartlepool] Loan

Taylor Moore [Bristol City - Cheltenham] Loan

Joe Morrell [Bristol City - Cheltenham] Loan

Marek Rodak [Fulham - Rotherham] Loan

Ryan Shotton [Birmingham - Middlesbrough] Undisclosed

Adam Thompson [Bury - Bradford] Loan

Joost van Aken [Heerenveen - Sheffield Wednesday] Undisclosed

International

Philipp Wollscheid [Stoke - Metz] Free

Jordy Clasie [Southampton - Club Brugge] Loan

Benedikt Howedes [Schalke - Juventus] Loan

Thomas Lam [Nottingham Forest - FC Twente] Loan

29 August

Premier League

Kevin Wimmer [Tottenham - Stoke] £18m

Football League

Sone Aluko [Fulham - Reading] Reported £7.5m

Jack Byrne [Wigan - Oldham] Loan

Nouha Dicko [Wolves - Hull] Undisclosed

Jamille Matt [Blackpool - Grimsby] Loan

Will Randall [Wolves - Forest Green] Loan

Gary Roberts [Portsmouth - Wigan] Free

Sam Stubbs [Wigan - Crewe] Loan

Jordan Thorniley [Sheffield Wednesday - Accrington] Loan

28 August

Football League

Jeremie Boga [Chelsea - Birmingham] Loan

Jonathan Leko [West Brom - Bristol City] Loan

Josh Umerah [Charlton - Wycombe] Loan

Scottish Premiership

Patrick Roberts [Manchester City - Celtic] Loan

International

Ousmane Dembele [Borussia Dortmund - Barcelona] £96.8m (rising to £135.5m)

Siem de Jong [Newcastle - Ajax] Reported £4m

27 August

Premier League

Robert Green [Leeds - Huddersfield] Free

Andre Carrillo [Benfica - Watford] Loan

Football League

Andy Lonergan [Wolves - Leeds] Free

26 August

Football League

Andre Blackman [Crawley - Barnet] Free

Dave Edwards [Wolves - Reading] Undisclosed

25 August

Premier League

Oliver Burke [RB Leipzig - West Brom] Undisclosed

Football League

Luke Berry [Cambridge - Luton] Undisclosed

James Brown [Millwall - Carlisle] Loan

Cameron Carter-Vickers [Tottenham - Sheffield United] Loan

Rohan Ince [Brighton - Bury] Loan

Andy Kellett [Wigan - Chesterfield] Loan

Tyler Roberts [West Brom - Walsall] Loan

Robert Snodgrass [West Ham - Aston Villa] Loan

Jordan Williams [Huddersfield - Bury] Loan

Scottish Premiership

Jon McLaughlin [Burton - Hearts] Free

International

Emmanuel Riviere [Newcastle - Metz] Undisclosed

24 August

Premier League

Florent Hadergjonaj [Ingolstadt - Huddersfield] Loan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic [unattached - Manchester United]

Football League

Ben Godfrey [Norwich - Shrewsbury] Loan

Jay-Roy Grot [NEC Nijmegen - Leeds] Undisclosed

Mark Roberts [Cambridge - Forest Green] Free

Kevin Toner [Aston Villa - Stevenage] Loan

Jon Toral [Arsenal - Hull] Undisclosed

Mallik Wilks [Leeds - Accrington] Loan

David Worrall [Millwall - Port Vale] Free

23 August

Premier League

Sam Clucas [Hull - Swansea] Undisclosed

Paulo Gazzaniga [Southampton - Tottenham] Undisclosed

Abdelhamid Sabiri [Nuremberg - Huddersfield] Undisclosed

Davinson Sanchez [Ajax - Tottenham] Undisclosed

Football League

Harry Forrester [Rangers - AFC Wimbledon] Loan

Stephen Kingsley [Swansea - Hull] Undisclosed

Joe Mason [Wolves - Burton] Loan

22 August

Football League

Omar Beckles [Accrington - Shrewsbury] Undisclosed

Liam Bridcutt [Leeds - Nottingham Forest] Undisclosed

Kane Hemmings [Oxford - Mansfield] Loan

Savvas Mourgos [Arsenal - Norwich] Undisclosed

Max Muller [Wycombe - Morecambe] Loan

Rafa Soares [Porto - Fulham] Loan

Matt Taylor [Northampton - Swindon] Free

21 August

Premier League

Chris Wood [Leeds - Burnley] Undisclosed (reported £15m)

Football League

Cohen Bramall [Arsenal - Birmingham] Loan

Nadir Ciftci [Celtic - Plymouth] Loan

Sam Gallagher [Southampton - Birmingham] Loan

Luke Hendrie [Burnley - Bradford] Loan

Carl Jenkinson [Arsenal - Birmingham] Loan

Sid Nelson [Millwall - Yeovil] Loan

International

Ismael Bennacer [Arsenal - Empoli] Undisclosed

Samir Nasri [Manchester City - Antalyaspor] Fee rising to £3.2m

20 August

Premier League

Jose Izquierdo [Club Brugge - Brighton] Undisclosed (reported £13.5m)

18 August

Premier League

Olarenwaju Kayode [Austria Vienna - Manchester City] Undisclosed

Football League

Dion Donohue [Chesterfield - Portsmouth] Undisclosed

Jordan Flores [Wigan - Chesterfield] Loan

Matt Grimes [Swansea - Northampton] Loan

Stefan Payne [Barnsley - Shrewsbury] Undisclosed

Sean Raggett [Lincoln - Norwich] Undisclosed fee

Sean Raggett [Norwich - Lincoln] Loan

Sean Scannell [Huddersfield - Burton] Loan

Scottish Premiership

Josh Meekings [Inverness - Dundee] Free

International

Olarenwaju Kayode [Manchester City - Girona] Loan

Blaise Matuidi [Paris St-Germain - Juventus] £27.8m

Gabriel Paulista [Arsenal - Valencia] Undisclosed

17 August

Football League

Steve Arnold [Dover - Gillingham] Free

Omar Bogle [Wigan - Cardiff] Undisclosed

Baily Cargill [Bournemouth - Fleetwood] Loan

Dimitri Cavare [Stade Rennais - Barnsley] Undisclosed

Luke Coddington [Huddersfield - Northampton] Free

Rui Fonte [Braga - Fulham] Undisclosed

Craig Mackail-Smith [Luton - Wycombe] Free

Jack Stobbs [Sheffield Wednesday - Port Vale] Loan

Cauley Woodrow [Fulham - Bristol City] Loan

Scottish Premiership

Brandon Barker [Manchester City - Hibernian] Loan

International

Max Gradel [Bournemouth - Toulouse] Loan

16 August

Premier League

Joselu [Stoke - Newcastle] £5m

Jese Rodriguez [Paris St-Germain - Stoke] Loan

Gylfi Sigurdsson [Swansea - Everton] £45m

Football League

Jordan Green [Bournemouth - Yeovil] Free

Sheyi Ojo [Liverpool - Fulham] Loan

Scott Quigley [New Saints - Blackpool] £35,000

Frederico Venancio [Vitoria Setubal - Sheffield Wednesday] Loan

15 August

Premier League

Gareth Barry [Everton - West Brom] Undisclosed

Football League

Will Jaaskelainen [Bolton - Crewe] Free

Tom Lawrence [Leicester - Derby] Undisclosed

Ben Nugent [Crewe - Gillingham] Free

14 August

Football League

Osman Sow [Henan Jianye - MK Dons] Undisclosed

Isaac Vassell [Luton - Birmingham] Undisclosed

International

Sofiane Feghouli [West Ham - Galatasaray] £3.87m

Tony Watt [Charlton - Oud-Heverlee Leuven] Undisclosed

13 August

Football League

Leandro Bacuna [Aston Villa - Reading] Undisclosed

Alex Bruce [Hull - Bury] Free

12 August

Football League

Kyle Howkins [West Brom - Cambridge] Loan

11 August

Premier League

Bruno Martins Indi [Porto - Stoke] £7m

Football League

Marcus Antonsson [Leeds - Blackburn] Loan

Lewis Baker [Chelsea - Middlesbrough] Loan

Harvey Barnes [Leicester - Barnsley] Loan

Shaun Donnellan [West Brom - Walsall] Loan

Kazenga LuaLua [Brighton - QPR] Loan

Mamadou Thiam [Dijon - Barnsley] Undisclosed

Scottish Premiership

Conor Sammon [Hearts - Partick] Loan

Miles Storey [Aberdeen - Partick] Undisclosed

International

Marc Muniesa [Stoke - Girona] Loan

10 August

Premier League

Soufyan Ahannach [Almere City - Brighton] Undisclosed

Timothy Fosu-Mensah [Manchester United - Crystal Palace] Loan

Football League

Tony Andreu [Norwich - Coventry] Free

Reece Cole [Brentford - Newport] Loan

Leonardo Fasan [Udinese - Bury] Free

Brian Graham [Hibernian - Cheltenham] Free

Scottish Premiership

Stevie May [Preston - Aberdeen] Undisclosed

International

Jordan Amavi [Aston Villa - Marseille] Loan

Marten De Roon [Middlesbrough - Atalanta] Undisclosed

9 August

Premier League

Andre Gray [Burnley - Watford] Undisclosed

Football League

Shaun Cummings [Millwall - Rotherham] Free

Diallang Jaiyesimi [Norwich - Grimsby] Loan

Gyamfi Kyeremeh [unattached - Oldham]

Seb Larsson [Sunderland - Hull] Free

Elliot Osborne [Fleetwood - Morecambe] Loan

8 August

Premier League

Mario Lemina [Juventus - Southampton] £15.4m up to £18.1m

George Thomas [Coventry - Leicester] Undisclosed

Richarlison [Fluminense - Watford] £11m

Football League

Harry Cornick [Bournemouth - Luton] Undisclosed

Niclas Eliasson [IFK Norrkoping - Bristol City) reported £1.8m

JJ Hooper [Port Vale - Grimsby] Free

Ivo Pekalski [Halmstads - Oxford] Undisclosed

7 August

Premier League

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting [Schalke - Stoke] Free

Sead Haksabanovic [Halmstads BK - West Ham] Undisclosed (reported £2.7m)

Davy Propper [PSV Eindhoven - Brighton] Undisclosed (reported £6m)

Football League

Alex Baptiste [Middlesbrough - QPR] Free

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson [Manchester United - Leeds] Loan

Tyler Denton [Leeds - Port Vale] Loan

Tom Field [Brentford - Bradford] Loan

Jamie Jones [Stevenage - Wigan] Free

Kyel Reid [Coventry - Colchester] Loan

Jonathan Smith [Luton - Stevenage] Free

Martyn Waghorn [Rangers - Ipswich] Undisclosed

Kaiyne Woolery [Wigan - Swindon] £350,000

6 August

Football League

Marco Stiepermann [Bochum - Norwich] Undisclosed

4 August

Football League

Simon Bloch Jorgensen [Bronshoj Boldklub - Accrington] Free

Harry Bunn [Huddersfield - Bury] Undisclosed

Harry Chapman [Middlesbrough - Blackburn] Loan

Tom Dallison [Brighton - Accrington] Loan

Tyler Forbes [Brighton - Accrington] Loan

Stephy Mavididi [Arsenal - Preston] Loan

Duckens Nazon [Wolves - Coventry] Loan

Josh Onomah [Tottenham - Aston Villa] Loan

James Pearson [Barnet - Coventry] Free

Matty Pearson [Accrington - Barnsley] Undisclosed

Antonee Robinson [Everton - Bolton] Loan

Ryan Sweeney [Stoke - Bristol Rovers] Loan

Dominic Telford [Stoke - Bristol Rovers] Loan

Michael Tonge [Stevenage - Port Vale] Free

Tom Trybull [ADO Den Haag - Norwich] Free

Ben Whitfield [Bournemouth - Port Vale] Loan

Ben Wilson [Cardiff - Oldham] Loan

Ryan Yates [Nottingham Forest - Notts County] Loan

Scottish Premiership

Cammy Bell [Dundee United - Kilmarnock] Free

Milan Nitriansky [unattached - Partick Thistle]

International

Fernando [Manchester City - Galatasaray] Undisclosed

Gaston Ramirez [Middlesbrough - Sampdoria] Undisclosed

3 August

Premier League

Kelechi Iheanacho [Manchester City - Leicester] £25m

Football League

Modou Barrow [Swansea - Reading] £1.5m

Issam Ben Khemis [Lorient - Doncaster] Free

Matt Done [Sheffield United - Rochdale] Free

Kieran Dowell [Everton - Nottingham Forest] Loan

Neal Eardley [Northampton - Lincoln] Free

Noel Hunt [Portsmouth - Wigan] Free

Rob Kiernan [Rangers - Southend] Undisclosed

Rodney Kongolo [Manchester City - Doncaster] Loan

Brad Potts [Blackpool - Barnsley] Undisclosed

Ben Reeves [MK Dons - Charlton] Free

Ricardinho [Gabala - Oxford] Free

Sam Surridge [Bournemouth - Yeovil] Loan

Aaron Wilbraham [Bristol City - Bolton] Undisclosed

International

Neymar [Barcelona - Paris St-Germain] £200m

Ragnar Sigurdsson [Fulham - Rubin Kazan] Loan

2 August

Football League

Amadou Ba [unattached - Southend]

Jevani Brown [St Neots Town - Cambridge] Free

Ouasim Buoy [Juventus - Leeds] Free

Kyle Knoyle [West Ham - Swindon] Free

Kevin Lokko [Maidstone - Stevenage] Undisclosed

Jayson Leutwiler [Shrewsbury - Blackburn] Undisclosed

Robbin Ruiter [Utrecht - Sunderland] Free

Ivan Toney [Newcastle - Wigan] Loan

Scottish Premiership

Ellis Plummer [Manchester City - Motherwell] Free

Anthony Stokes [Blackburn - Hibernian] Free

International

Ouasim Bouy [Leeds - Cultural Leonesa] Loan

Emiliano Martinez [Arsenal - Getafe] Loan

1 August

Football League

Leo Bonatini [Al Hilal - Wolves] Loan

Ryan Brunt [Plymouth - Exeter] Free

Reece Burke [West Ham - Bolton] Loan

Sam Cosgrove [Wigan - Carlisle] Free

Josh Cullen [West Ham - Bolton] Loan

Rob Dickie [Reading - Lincoln] Loan

Elliot Hodge [Lincoln - Notts County] Undisclosed

Nicky Hunt [Leyton Orient - Notts County] Undisclosed

Idris Kanu [Aldershot - Peterborough] Undisclosed

Sam Lavelle [Bolton - Morecambe] Free

Aiden O'Neill [Burnley - Fleetwood] Loan

International

Jesus Navas [Manchester City - Sevilla] Free

The page covers signings by Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premiership clubs, along with selected deals from overseas and the Scottish Championship. Transfer windows in other major European and global leagues extended in February and March.

Mbappe Completes €180m PSG Move

Paris Saint-Germain have pulled off their latest coup in the transfer market by completing the signing of Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.

The 18-year-old striker was the subject of intense transfer speculation all summer but has finally joined his hometown club, initially on loan but with the club having a compulsory purchase clause in the deal that means he will arrive on a permanent basis next summer.

At that time, he is expected to become the world's second most expensive player, with the deal reported to be as much as €180 million.

"It is with great joy and pride that I join Paris Saint-Germain," Mbappe said in a press release. For any young person from the Paris region, it is often a dream to wear the red and blue jersey and experience the unique atmosphere of the Parc des Princes.

PSG have already smashed the world transfer record this summer, having acquired Neymar from Barcelona for €222m.

As a result of that deal, they could not also afford to sign Mbappe and stay within UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, hence the move is simply a loan to begin with.

Don't Wake Up With Regret

Dont wake up with the regret of what you couldnt accomplish yesterday. Wake up while thinking about what you will able to achieve today.

Life Purpose

In life you'll realize there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will teach you, and some will use you. But most Importantly, some will bring out the best in you and have a best day.
Good morning and have the day you deserve.

Only God Can Judge

You have no right to think that the one you saw committing a sin last night is the same person today. People learn, reflect, repent and change.

I Wish My Feelings Had a Delete Button

The worst feeling is when you find out you didn't mean as much to someone as you thought you did and you look stupid for caring too much.

I wish my feelings had a delete button.

Love Quote

You can close your eyes to the things you want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel.

When two people really care about each other, they will always look for a way to make it work, no matter how hard it is.

Happiness of Life

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

Forget the Past

Forget those who hurt you yesterday no matter their population.
Don't ever forget those who love you everyday and every time with your mistakes.
Forget the past that make you cry and focus on the present that makes you smile.

Wednesday 30 August 2017

THIS IS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.

When a man has a good car it attracts more ladies to him. When a lady has a good car it repels guys away from her. This is the world we live in.

A teenage boy impregnates his teenage girlfriend. The girl drops out of school, the boy continues his education. This is the word we live in.

A guy catches his girlfriend with another guy, he fights his girlfriend. A lady catches her guy with another lady, she fights the other lady. This is the word we live in.

The older a man becomes, the higher the number of ladies available for him. The older a lady becomes the fewer the number of guys available for her. This is the world we live in.

A 76 year old man can still marry a 26 year old lady. A 36 year old lady is tagged too old to get married. This is the world we live in.

A man divorces his wife today and the next day he is dating other ladies. Six months later he is married. While the divorced woman is labeled a divorcee and remains single six years later. This is the world we live in.

A married man is caught in bed with another woman, his wife is asked to forgive him and move on. A married woman is caught in bed with another man, the husband asks her to leave his house. This is the world we live in.

A man gets transferred by his company to another state, the entire family relocates with him. The woman gets transferred to another state, she goes alone or resigns from the job. This is the world we live in.‎

If a man rises to be the CEO of the company, he got there by hard work and determination. If a woman rises to be the CEO of the company, she is suspected to get there by sleeping with the Board members. This is the world we live in.

Facts like these make some ladies angry at the world and channeling the anger towards men. For me, that is not the right card to play. Understanding the world you live in should help you play a better game. Playing a better game involves answering the following questions.‎

What can you change?
What can you avoid?
What can you live with?‎

You may not be able to stop the rain from falling but you can carry an umbrella with you. That is what personal leadership is about.

Tuesday 29 August 2017

Believe in Yourself: I believe in You

Do not give up because of the position you are in.
Your current position is only temporary. It will only stay permanent if you do not take any action.
In other words, take action now. I know you deserve better.
I know it was a struggle waking up to go somewhere you don't want to. I know that feeling to sleep in 5 more minute.
I know, believe me I know.
Be determined on your dreams and do what needs to be done to achieve it.

Believe in yourself: I believe in you. #Peace

True Love: Worth Reading

True Love: Worth Reading.

A very poor man lived with his wife. One day, his wife, who had very long hair asked him to buy her a comb for her hair to grow well and to be well-groomed.
The man sadly explained that he couldn't afford it. And that he did not even have enough money to fix the strap of his watch he had just broken. The wife accepted her husbands explanation.

In the morning the husband went off to work. On his way he passed a jewellery shop. He sold his damaged watch at a low price and went to buy a comb for his wife.

In the evening, at home he got ready to present the comb to his beloved wife. He was surprised when he saw that she had cut her hair short and in her hand she was holding a new watch band. She had sold her hair to buy him a watch band!!!

Tears flowed simultaneously from their eyes, not for the futility of their actions, but for the reciprocity of their love...

MORAL: To love is nothing, to be loved is something but to love and to be loved by the one you love, that is EVERYTHING!!!
Never take love for granted. Cherish your loved ones and thank them often for the things they do no matter how small.

Monday 28 August 2017

MEET THE NEW UNILORIN VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR SULYMAN AGE ABDULKAREEM

MEET THE NEW UNILORIN VICE-CHANCELLOR
PROFESSOR SULYMAN AGE ABDULKAREEM

Professor Abdulkareem was born on 21st January, 1954 at Oro in Kwara State. He attended the Government Secondary School, Ilorin for both his secondary school education and the Higher School Certificate from 1968 to 1974 which he undertook with a Kwara State Government Scholarship. He later got the Federal Government Scholarship for his university education at the University of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. between 1975 and 1980. At the end of the course, he came out in flying colours and was awarded the MChE, BChE (Chemical Engineering) specializing in Heterogeneous Catalysis/Reaction Engineering.
From 1985 to 1988, he was awarded the United States of America National Science Foundation Fellowship for his Ph.D programme in Chemical Engineering at the University of Louisville, USA. He also completed his Ph.D in flying colours and obtained the Engineer-In-Training Certificate of the State of Minnesota, USA in 1991. He became a registered Engineer of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2002 and a COREN Registered Engineer in 2004.
Professor Abdulkareem was a Lecturer, engaged by the Detroit Board of Education Detroit, Michigan, USA from August 1984 to August 1985; and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, from September 1985 to August 1988. He joined the services of the University of Ilorin as a Senior Lecturer in 1996 and rose to become a Professor in September 2005.
2
A consummate researcher and thorough-bred academic, he has a lot of inventions and has many Patents to his credit including the following:
i) Kareem, S.A., Unilorin Oil Sorbing Wafers, Federal Republic of Nigeria, RP 16005 (2005);
ii) Kareem, S.A. Unilorin Lubricating Grease, Federal Republic of Nigeria, RP16006 (2005)
iii) Kareem, S.A., Unilorin Candle, Federal Republic of Nigeria RP16007 (2005)
iv) Abdulkareem, S.A. and Amoloye, T.O. (2013). Catalytic Conversion of Low Density Polyethylene (Discarded Pure Water Sachet) to Solid, Liquid and Gaseous Hydrocarbon Fuels, NG/P/2010/332
Professor Abdulkareem has held many important positions in the University – Director, SIWES from 2000 – 2008; Head, University Admissions Unit 2006 – 2009; Dean, Student Affairs 2008 – 2010 and Director, Laboratory-To-Product Centre from September 2015 to date.
From June 2010 to June 2015, he was Vice Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
Professor Abdulkareem is happily married with children.

The University of Ilorin today announced that Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem Age of the Faculty of Engineering has emerged the new Vice chancellor of the Institution.

The University of Ilorin today announced that Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem Age of the Faculty of Engineering has emerged the new Vice chancellor of the Institution.

Prof. Abdulkareem Age is a Former Dean of Student Affairs, Unilorin and a Former Vice Chancellor of AL-HIKMah University and also a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin.

DON'T MARRY A MAN/WOMAN IF YOU CANNOT CARRY THE BURDEN OF HIS DESTINY.

A lot of ladies don't know this. A greater proportion of women want to marry great men, celebrities, authorities, maybe because of money, but question is, Can you pay the price of marriage?

I have come to the understanding that so many great people hardly have time for their family, can you cope?

A lot of ladies would love to have been the wife to a great man like Aliko Dangote, but do you know he hardly sleeps? He hardly has time for his wife? But there's excess of money. What of his attention?

A lot of ladies get to discover that money isn't everything, when it's already late. A man who is globally relevant might not give you all the attention you need, what will keep you in those times is the love and passion you have for his vision and mandate and that brings me to this point: Marry a man whose vision you can carry.

Getting married to very great people isn't beans. Ask their wives. Being a people's person isn't easy. Many celebrities don't spend up to three months in a year with their families. Can you cope with that time because money can't solve that one? Will you be able to cope when he'll have to be away for eight months and as he's getting back, he has another trip for a year, and all that kind of serial engagements?

Even Van Vicker, famous actor confessed he barely has up to two months with his wife in a year. Many girls would wish to have married Van, but how many can understand when he will have to stay away for long because of his dreams and purpose?

Personally, I have a mandate to reach out to 2 billion people before I die, to impact and influence a minimum of that amount before I breathe my last breath. God keeps using people to warn me that I have to be careful when it comes to choosing a life partner. Because a mistake there will ruin my purpose.
A man might be vision minded, passionate, ambitious, and rich and handsome and you wish to marry him but truth is, You can't bear the burden of his mandate. You can't endure it. Do you know what the wives of Clergymen endure?

Do you know what the wives of great icons endure? It's not by fantasizing about love from morning till night. If you are thinking of marrying a great man, be ready to pay a great task in marriage.

Myles Monroe when alive got over 800 invitations to speak in a year, How did he cope? How do you think his wife coped? It was because she was strong enough to bear the burden of her husband's purpose.

It doesn't end at marrying a man with a vision. You must understand that as time goes, that vision will explode and he might not have so
much time for you, you need to understand and adjust. This is also why a lot of celebrities have issues with marriage.

I'm not saying celebrities shouldn't have time for their family in the name of their vision but believe me no matter how much they spare, it can't be much like an average man. Some of them hardly sleep sef!!!

No matter how great I become, I will always have time to be with my family but I doubt if it will be every now and then. I wish it would be but with my life is purpose, it might be tough.

Can you manage a man's greatness? Money won't change anything. Some ladies think when there's money, marriage is better.
Money sure helps but a lot of women that married rich and great men wants to divorce because they can't cope with the burden of his purpose.

This article applies to both sexes. Marry the person whose burden of purpose, you can carry.
God bless you.

Sunday 27 August 2017

The 10 Habits of Long-Lasting Couples

We’ve all swooned at the adorable stories of couples who spend their whole lives together, and are just as much in love with each other in old age as they were right at beginning. But what is their secret? How do they manage to maintain, and strengthen, their love through the years?

Well, psychiatrist Mark Goulston has published his advice. Read on to discover his 10 tips for lasting relationships:

1. Go to bed together. This doesn’t mean go have sex every single night, but rather go to bed at the same time. Dr. Goulston reckons that “happy couples resist the temptation to go to bed at different times” even if one gets back up shortly after. There’s nothing like a bedtime cuddle!

2. Work out your common interests. It’s fine if he loves rugby while you’re into painting, and you shouldn’t even worry if the thing you find most boring is what really gets him going. But Dr. Goulston reminds us that the initial passion won’t last forever, so you need to make sure there’s some substance behind your relationship.
“If common interests aren’t present, happy couples develop them,” he says. “Don’t minimize the importance of activities you can do together that you both enjoy. At the same time, be sure to cultivate interests of your own; this will make you more interesting and prevent you from appearing too dependent.” Got it.

3. Hold hands. Next time you’re out together, make sure you’re in sync by holding one another’s hand. A public sign of affection, Dr. Goulston advises that it’s a sign of real comfort. “It’s more important to be with your partner than to see the sights along the way,” he tells us.

4. Always trust and try to forgive. Obviously this depends on the severity of your disagreement, but as a general rule Dr. Goulston thinks it’s key to make “trusting and forgiving, rather than distrusting and begrudging” your default setting after an argument.

5. Focus on what they do right, not what they do wrong. Positive reinforcement is an age-old concept used with children and even the training of animals. But it’s still important for fully grown adults too. So compliment your partner when they deserve it and try not to look for things they do wrong. “You can always find something,” Dr. Goulston says.
But that works both ways; “If you look for what he or she does right, you can always find something too. It all depends on what you want to look for. Happy couples accentuate the positive.”

6. Don’t forget to hug. Dr. Goulston urges us to hug our partner every single day (if circumstance allows). “Our skin has a memory of ‘good touch’ (loved), ‘bad touch’ (abused), and ‘no touch’ (neglected),” he explains. “Couples who say hello with a hug keep their skin bathed in the ‘good touch,’ which can inoculate your spirit against anonymity in the world.”

7. Say “I love you” and “have a good day” every morning. Seems obvious, but it’s an important one. Saying something caring like that first thing will set the other up for their day. “It’s a great way to buy some patience and tolerance as each partner sets out each day to battle traffic jams, long lines, and other annoyances.”

8. Say good night, every night. Regardless of how you feel. Never go to bed on an argument. According to Dr. Goulston, even the gesture of saying good night “tells your partner that, regardless of how upset you are with him or her, you still want to be in the relationship. It says that what you and your partner have is bigger than any single upsetting incident.”

9. Check in with them throughout the day. Calling your partner to see how their day is going is “a great way to adjust expectations so that you’re more in sync when you connect after work.” So if your other half has had a nightmare of a day, you know what to expect. And you can probably get the Ben & Jerry’s, in an attempt to cheer them up.

10. Be proud to be seen together. We know there’s a line between a sweet show affection and blatant PDA, but Dr. Goulston reminds us that a display of tenderness in public is important. “It’s not showing off, but rather just saying that they belong with each other,” he tells us. And that’s quite nice.

Manchester City smash Arsenal’s offer to keep Alexis Sanchez with £320,000-a-week deal

Manchester City are ready to make Alexis Sanchez their highest earner with a £320,000-a-week contract offer, according to reports.
Arsenal have offered the Chile international a £275,000-a-week deal to stay at the club but the 28-year-old has shown no inclination to extend his stay with the club.
And The Daily Mail now claims that Pep Guardiola’s are ready to blow their Premier League rivals out of the water with a deal which would make him the best-paid player at the Etihad Stadium.
The report also claims that City’s offer will be topped up by performance-related add-ons and image rights which would bring the deal closer to £400,000 a week.
So far this summer, Arsene Wenger has refused to back down over Sanchez’s availability, insisting that the forward will stay with the club even if he refuses to sign a new deal and could therefore leave on a free transfer next summer.

City are reportedly willing to pay £50 million for Sanchez but Guardiola could face competition from Paris Saint-Germain if their deal to sign Neymar from Barcelona does not go through

On Friday, Sanchez raised doubts over whether he will return to Arsenal on time after claiming that he was ‘sick’ via a post on Instagram.
Sanchez was granted an extended holiday after playing for Chile at the Confederations Cup but is due back to training with Arsenal on Sunday, the same day Wenger’s men face Sevilla in the Emirates Cup.
City remains Sanchez’s preferred destination as he would link back up with Guardiola.
But the City manager has warned that the club’s spending will now ease off.

Saturday 26 August 2017

Floyd Mayweather has beaten Conor McGregor in Las Vegas, claiming his 50th victory and maintaining his unbeaten record.

Mayweather speaks

“[Conor]’s a tough competitor - we gave the fans what they wanted to see. “He’s a lot better than I thought he was ... he used different angles. But I was the better man ... It was our gameplan to take our time and take him out down the stretch. That was my last fight. Tonight I chose the right dance partner. Conor you were a great dance partner tonight.”

6:00am

Gareth's snap verdict on the finish

.. And it's over. Hard concussive, accurate punches rain in from Mayweather who is hurting McGregor who stumbles across the ring and into the ropes from a right hand, off balance, and is close to going down. The attack continues. Left. Right. Left. McGregor's head is torqued across his shoulders. This is nasty dominance now and Mayweather looks the great boxer and McGregor the MMA fighter. Brilliant, valiant effort by McGregor. After two lefts on the ropes, referee Robert Byrd has seen enough, protects McG and waves it off.

5:57am

Mayweather wins by TKO in the 10th

He could no longer defend himself and the referee had to end it. Mayweather was hitting him at will, walking towards him, cutting off his space and left him with nowhere to go. He stayed on his feet but his legs had gone and his arms must have felt like lead.

Floyd

MAYWEATHER

Conor

Darren Barker G A Davies Mike Coppinger

OUR JUDGES' SCORES

Score average

Round

M c GREGOR

5:54am

Round 10

McGregor is taking too much punishment and the referee steps in. It's over. Mayweather goes 50-0!

Gareth on round nine Massive round and it could be close to the end unless McG rallies strongly. Good right from Floyd. And another. And another. McG holds. Legs are tired. Big assault now from Mayweather, looking for the uppercut to finish thew fight. McG, dives in to hold. Exhausted Ref Robert Byrd pushes them apart, McG is exhausted. Huge round for Mayweather.

Mayweather 10-9

5:51am

Round nine

Mayweather is hit with a body shot that he claims was low. He takes a step backwards now but regroups and targets McGregor's face. His legs are wobbling. This is close to the end now. McGregor is being tagged and falls into the ropes. He's flailing around. Mayweather is looking for the artistic finish. McGregor is spent and is being repeatedly hit with rights to the face. He's got an iron chin but he looks absolutely knackered.

Gareth on round eight Good round for Mystic Mac he just landed more. Not hard, not dangerous but just landed more. The Irishman has rallied and believes in himself. It was a close round though.

McGregor 10-9

5:50am

Round eight

It's his first fight. He won the first two rounds or was allowed to as Mayweather surveyed the danger, but McGregor has now punched himself out. Mayweather is having the tie of his life, walking forward, cutting off the ring, throwing and landing punches at will.

May heats Mac with a right cross

Gareth's round seven verdict Series of big right hands from Floyd who looks like he is seeking a finish now. He rocks McGregor's head back twice. May also lands good right. McG so focused though and his will keeping him in there looking for a chance. But Mac v tired. Mayweather 10-9.

5:46am

Round seven

Better from McGregor circling round Mayweather but his shots have no force. Now it's time for the schooling, hitting him repeatedly with rights into the hip, stomach and face. McGregor is bleeding from the mouth. Carl Froch says he isn't at all impressed by McGregor and expected a lot more.

Gareth on round six May really switched it up that round and was more aggressive than he is accustomed to be. McG finding it hard in there but enjoying the challenge. Looks to be tiring. Cheeky tongue from Mac, and hands behind back. May starting to control. Fight even. Mayweather 10-9

5:41am

Round six

Mayweather is on the way forward all the time now virtually, upping the power with a burst of body shots to the ribs. McGregor is having to improvise. In truth it's all improvisation. McGregor is sitting behind the jab but his chin is up and vulnerable and he is not landing anything significant on Mayweather. He did turn round and McGregor slapped him round the back of the head but the ref stopped that intrelude quickly.

Gareth on round five McG still working hard but May goes top his stomach again and then a right from the American. They tie up. McG is so much bigger. Left-right from McG but not power. Body again from Floyd then that use of elbows he does in the clinch. Fast right from May. May holds glove over, McG flips him off. Crowd loves it.

Mayweather 10-9

5:38am

Round five

Mayweather is clearly enjoying himself, flashing a wink at Carl Froch at ringside. McGregor looks exhausted and Froch says his punches now lack power. Mayweather unleashes a right straight to the cranium then they exchange body shots . Mayweather gives him a shove after the bell to move him out of the way.

Gareth on round four Weird so far from Mayweather. But he's opened up a bit more this round and although he's landing he's also getting caught. Good shot on McGregor's body. Twice. McG is game though. Good left from McG and crowd goes with him. May weather warned up now but he does look old. Mayweather 10-9.

5:34am

Round four

McGregor ramps it up at the beginning of the round again but Mayweather is the master of not getting tagged. He begins to take over, smashing a couple of right hands into McGregor's chin and kidneys. Those vicious body shots are taking a toll on McGregor who is going forward consistently now for the first time in years. He whips a sidewinder of a right hand into McGregor's face and hits him with a left cross. he takes one himself but a great round for the undefeated former champ.

Gareth on round 3 McGregor unorthodox movement from MMA making safety first Mayweather unsure what to do yet. He's just waiting. McG beginning to blow a little.

McGregor 10-9

5:31am

Round three

McGregor is looking for the uppercut and the left hook but is not averse to the cuff round the back of the head. Mayweather's timing is not right yet but he is hitting McGregor with body shots and McGregor's mouth is wide open and he is breathing heavily.

Gareth on round two.

5:25am

Round two

McGregor again starts on the front foot backing Maywaether into the corner until he forces his way out. It's very cagey so far, no pun intended. McGregor cracks a right on to Mayweather's chin, shuffles and goes forward again but Mayweather sticks him with two wicked body shots. McGregor doesn't look like a novice at all ... until he grabs Mayweather round the waist and the referee pulls them apart.

Gareth on round one: Very smart round by McGregor, excellent attacks, pawing with the left, relaxed and letting his hands go. Showboating for confidence. Floyd can't get in. Score McGregor 10-9

5:21am

Round one

McGregor is immediately on the attack and unleashes a few body shots. Mayweather sits on the ropes and makes his assessment, covering up. McGregor throws out the right jab into Mayweather's head. The undefeated Mayweather starts to respond after 90 seconds but is wary of getting too close to that left hand, playing peek a boo. Mayweather slips a big left but doesn't take any damage bar one uppercut. McGregor towers over Mayweather. McGregor's start was fine. Maywaether did nothing.

5:18am

They're listening to the instructions for the last time

'This will be a clean, professionally fought bout under boxing rules. You hear me says stop and that's what you'll do. Obey my commands at all times. Gentlemen, let's do this.' It's finally on.

5:14am

Here we go

Very dark look from

@FloydMayweather for

@TheNotoriousMMA fight

pic.twitter.com/XzqwCbc9QI

— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) August 27, 2017

We'll be publishing the round by round scores of our three judges. We have a new judging tool/graphic. Our three judges are former boxer Darren Barker, Mike Coppinger, senior writer for Ring magazine, and our correspondent, the one and onliest Gareth A Davies. We'll be publishing their round-by-round verdicts throughout the main event but in the succeeding round so as not to hold things up.

5:11am

This is on

And here comes Mayweather wearing a balaclava. As you do

5:07am

And here's Gareth's final take on McGregor

The legion of pugilists swept along on the green flag of the Emerald isle are known as the 'Fighting Irish' for so many reasons, criss-crossing both historical and apocryphal themes, and in Conor McGregor, the Celts have the latest star to emerge in a milieu decorated with fists, scars, and glory. And that torch carries a long history in Ireland and among Irish-Americans.

While stereotypes of the Fighting Irish remain, what cannot be denied is that this Irish fighting spirit was forged through years of strife at home, prejudice abroad, with the populace having overcome, in different eras, famine, discrimination and bitter civil unrest. Even more remarkably, with a population of just 6 million people they have had an impact on the world stage, bringing a lineage of elite-level fist fighters to the fore over hundreds of years, and the creation of folk heroes who have enjoyed success in both professional and amateur rings the world over.

None of it has been lost on McGregor. The warrior spirit within him, he feels deeply in his bloodline. It is something Conor himself has spoken of poetically, almost like a fighting ballad. “The Irish passion for fighting comes from a long history of battle,” UFC star McGregor explained to me as he began his rise up the rankings. “We have a troubled nation; we fought for our independence, we fought for our freedom. I know my ancestors and my bloodline is on the battlefield; they were doing it riding a horse with a sword, swinging an axe. Now I'm doing the same thing in the Octagon.” And tonight, in the ring, in a few minutes time in Las Vegas, in the Mecca of the greatest modern fight nights, McGregor has an opportunity to display his brilliance.

Look anywhere, historically, and in the 19th century alone Irish soldiers made up a significant body of men joining the British and American armies. Dig a little deeper into the dusty history books, and there was even a contingent of Irish Catholics who fought for the Mexicans in the American-Mexican War in the mid-Nineteenth century, and became known as ‘Los San Patricios’, literally in Spanish, ‘Those of St Patrick’.

Worth recalling, too, that even Muhammad Ali had Irish forebears. Ali's great-grandfather, Abe Grady, was born and had grown up in Ennis Town before he emigrated to America in 1860, where he married an Afro-American woman, an emancipated slave. Ali's mother, Odessa Lee Grady, was Grady's grand-daughter.

UFC President Dana White believes McGregor has emerged as one of the great stars from any era of fighting, and White should know, being from Boston and of Irish descent himself. There is an affinity there, a knowing. You can see White grinning when McGregor makes his verbal and mental assaults on opponents as he hypes his fights before the physical battle begins, the barbs from McGregor interlaced with cutting humour and unadulterated self-belief. What White sees, which we all see, is that the fighting spirit, the absolute comfort in the cool adrenalin of the fight moment, is there, deep, deep in McGregor's DNA.

“Guys in the fight business, real fighters, The Conor McGregors, the Ronda Rouseys, the Jose Aldos, these people are born that way,” explained White to me. "People love the Conor McGregor style. And people either love – or hate – the showman."

“Conor McGregor came into the UFC and showed everybody he's a killer, man. This kid comes to kill you. He comes to take you out, finish you. Conor is not just good at the talking and everything else, he's good at every type of warfare there is in the business. The mental warfare, the physical warfare, the whole thing. He's born to it."

And for one simple reason: Conor McGregor 'The Notorious One', is the latest in the great line of the Fighting Irish. And he will not be denied. Now is the moment of truth.

5:06am

Here come the fighters

Wrapped in an Irish tricolor and with appropriate music.

5:05am

The national anthem of the United States of America

Is being murdered by Demi Lovato accapella style. Which means it's almost time for a punch up the proverbial bracket.

Floyd Mayweather vs Conor Mc Gregory: All You Need to Know.

There are just hours to go until

Mayweather vs McGregor , one of the most eagerly anticipated boxing matches of all time.

The fight is set to break all pay-per-view records - and after months of trash-talking, a world tour, and Friday night's weigh-in, fight night is finally here.

Saturday night will see out-of-retirement best boxer of his generation Floyd Mayweather facing the UFC's biggest star, Conor McGregor, in Sin City.

The T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas will be packed to the rafters but millions more will be watching the fight via TV around the world.

After a long period of speculation about whether the fight would ever take place, the last few months have featured high levels of animosity on both sides, as the rivalry heats up ahead of fight night.

This will either be a boxing bout for the ages or a cross-code money-spinning abomination, depending on your point of view.

Whichever camp you're in, here's all you need to know about the fight between the man with a 49-0 boxing record facing and the Irish fighter who has never taken part in a professional boxing fight.

What date is the fight and at what time?

The fight is happening on Saturday 26 August.

While the times haven't been announced, it will certainly be a late night or very early start for viewers in the UK, so expect to be up well into Sunday 27 August, and possibly calling in sick on Monday 28.

The main event begins at 4am BST, but the fight itself may start closer to 5am.

Where is the fight taking place?

The bout will be housed in the T-Mobile arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. The venue has held major fights in the past, including UFC 202, in which McGregor beat Nate Diaz on points.

What is the latest news?

Conor McGregor has revealed he first targeted a fight with Floyd Mayweather before he had even established himself in the UFC.

The Irishman on Saturday makes his professional boxing debut when he faces Mayweather at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.

He does so as the UFC's greatest asset, but enters a fight that could prove hugely uncompetitive even if it pays him his greatest ever purse.

Saturday's match-up has gradually been building for the past two years as interest grew in the rivalry between the two biggest figures in their respective codes.

However, even though only a year ago a fight between them appeared little more than a fantasy, for McGregor it has almost been part of a grand plan.

As a young, raw, little-known fighter in Ireland he admired Mayweather from afar and was influenced by the American's criticism of MMA.

The 40-year-old has long been the world's leading boxer, significantly before his opponent became a professional a fighter, and McGregor said: "Originally that's what woke me up. I was a young kid listening to him talk down about the sport that I was dedicating my entire life to.

"I'm talking years back, me as a kid.

"Then I realised we're a similar weight, that was when he first came on my radar. I said, 'You know what, I'm going to climb up, and I'm going into different disciplines, I will get that fight'.

"Throughout time I rose up - I'm a multiple weight champion - and then it turns out he was the one who came to me. Perfect."

How has the rivalry developed?

The pair embarked on a four-day tour last month that took in trips to London, Los Angeles, Toronto and New York.

The tension reached a crescendo at the SSE Arena in Wembley , when after trading profanities, the UFC fighter said: "Four years ago I fought in London at The Forum in front of about 500 people. Now here I am about to quadruple my net worth with one half a fight. Sign me up. No one is going to kick, knee or elbow. And it’s against this little b****."

There was also controversy in New York when McGregor was accused of racism after saying "I'm half-black" .

What are their fighting records?

Mayweather retired in 2015 with an unblemished 49-0 professional boxing record.

He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive fighters ever, and prides himself on his ability to evade punishment with his skillful movement about the ring while making adjustments against opponents on the fly.

A win for Mayweather would move him ahead of former heavyweight great Rocky Marciano, who also retired with a perfect 49-0 career record.

McGregor, the UFC's reigning lightweight champion and former featherweight champion, is known as much for his bravado as for his explosive knockout power inside an MMA octagon.

The 28-year-old Irishman became the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez in New York last November for the lightweight championship.

The UFC stripped McGregor of his featherweight belt shortly after that fight when he announced he would be taking some time off after he and long-time partner Dee Devlin had their first baby in May.

Known for his devastating striking and highlight-reel knockouts, McGregor is also quick and irrational on his feet, but few would back him to beat one of the most complete boxers of all time.

What are the rules of the fight?

The fight will be held under boxing rules , presenting a huge challenge for mixed martial artists McGregor as he faces off against one of the greatest defensive boxers in history.

Adding to McGregor's challenge, he will not be allowed to use the leg kicks or takedowns that are used in mixed martial arts.

McGregor will weigh in at 154 pounds, UFC president Dana White told ESPN. The pair will wear 8oz gloves, which you can read more about here .

Who is referee, who are the judges?

REFEREE: Robert Byrd

JUDGES: Burt Clements, Dave Moretti and Guido Cavalieri

Vastly experienced American referee Robert Byrd will be the third man in the ring, with the judges confirmed as Burt Clements, Dave Moretti, both American, and Guido Cavalleri, of Italy, after McGregor's team had requested an international judge in the trio.

Byrd refereed Mayweather's unanimous points decision victory against Robert Guerrero four years ago. Mayweather's last three fights were refereed by Kenny Bayless, but he was ruled out after critical comments from McGregor's head coach John Kavanagh.

Byrd, a veteran of major fights, is seen as a referee who allows the fighters to work on the inside, often keeping a respectful distance, using his voice to command the bout and make boxers break.

Byrd has also recently bossed the high profile contests between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's win over Miguel Cotto and George Groves' unsuccessful challenge of Badou Jack.

What have they said?

Floyd Mayweather Jr

In the first stop of a four-city media tour promoting the fight, told the 20,000-strong crowd in Los Angeles: "I don't care if it's a ring or it's an octagon, I will kick ass. I don't back down for anybody.

"You line them up and I will knock them down. On August 26, I'm gonna knock this b**** out too."

McGregor retorted: "You haven't knocked anyone out in about 20 years."

Mayweather added: "We talking about from the nineties to now, world champion 18 years, but it is no problem. I'm not the same fighter as I was years ago, but I got enough to beat you.

"You will wave that white flag. You are going out on your face or your back. Which was do you want to go? All you need to do is show up and I will do the rest.

"God only made one thing perfect, and that is my boxing record."

Conor McGregor

The Irishman was the crowd favourite at the opening press event as he made fun of Mayweather's IRS troubles - a lack of cash prompted him to file an appeal with the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) regarding overdue taxes - and promised to flatten an aging fighter.

"He's in a track suit," McGregor told the crowd of more than 11,000 people. "He can't even afford a suit anymore."

"I am honoured to be here, to give you this spectacle," McGregor said. "His little legs, his little core, his little head, I am going to knock him out inside four rounds, mark my words.

"I am a young, confident, happy man that has worked extremely hard for this.

"I am just up here embracing everything. No-one can do anything to me. I am just enjoying myself and having a good time.

"He will be unconsciousness in four rounds. He has never faced this. I don't fear him.

"All these rules, all these restrictions, it doesn't faze me; it amuses me. It is funny to me all these rules.

"All I need is a gum shield. Line me up to the ring and I am good to go."

Who are celebrities backing to win?

Here is a selection of big names here .

Who we think will win

In a word: Mayweather. It's just a matter of when. McGregor will come out hard looking for an early KO, but Mayweather has been knocked down only once in his career. McGregor's UFC fights do not often last long, so will the Irishman last 12 rounds? We're going for Mayweather KO-ing McGregor within seven, or a win on points.

And who do you think will win?

The 10 best pound-for-pound boxers of all time, featuring Floyd Mayweather.

10 Powerful Habits of Happy Couples

*10 powerful habits of happy couples*

*Relationships are hard work and no matter how perfect you are as a couple, you need to keep trying to keep the spark alive.* *Here are 10 powerful habits that super-happy couples always follow, no matter what.*

*1. They say ‘I love you’ every day*

*It may seem like an easy thing to do, but there are times when you’re just not feeling it. But if you make an effort to show your partner you love them despite it, that doth a happy couple make.*

*2. They hug frequently*

*Hugging someone you love can be all the salvation you need.* *So hug long and hard, every day.*

*3. Making fun of each other is sacramental*

*What’s a relationship without some harmless ribbing? They know that teasing and playing pranks on one another is what keeps the relationship fun.*

*4. But they also praise each other*

*Happy couples know the power of compliments and make sure to tell each other just how amazing they are.*

*5. They plan their future*

*Be it moving in together, marriage, kids or holidays.* *There’s always something to look forward to.*

*6. But are open to spontaneity*

*Planning things in advance doesn’t make them boring.* *A happy couple knows how to balance the present and the future very well.*

*7. They comfort each other*

*Happy couples always have a shoulder to cry on for each other.* *They say just the right things to comfort and support each other.*

*8. And they listen when the other speaks*

*A happy couple knows when to listen and when to offer an opinion.* *They don’t interrupt when the other is saying something important.*

*9. They go on dates often*

*Couples who understand the importance of spending quality time together once in a while are the best at relationships.*

*10. And they want to grow old together*

*Their end game is to be companions and friends for life. Growing old together is a dream they both cherish.*

Friday 25 August 2017

Life Quote

Life is a race. The unwise depends on his feet while the wise depends on his knees. May your prayers on your knees today and always be answered by the Almighty.

The World is Mine

Beautiful Poem..

THE WORLD IS MINE

      Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman
      and wished I were as beautiful.
      When suddenly she rose to leave,
      I saw her hobble down the aisle.
      She had one leg and used a crutch.
      But as she passed, she passed a smile.
      Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
      I have two legs; the world is mine.

      I stopped to buy some candy.
      The lad who sold it had such charm.
      I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
      If I were late, it'd do no harm.
      And as I left, he said to me,
      "I thank you, you've been so kind.
      It's nice to talk with folks like you.
      You see," he said, "I'm blind."
      Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
      I have two eyes; the world is mine.

      Later while walking down the street,
      I saw a child I knew.
      He stood and watched the others play,
      but he did not know what to do.
      I stopped a moment and then I said,
      Why don't you join them dear?"
      He looked ahead without a word.
      I forgot, he couldn't hear.
      Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
      I have two ears; the world is mine.

      With feet to take me where I'd go,
      With eyes to see the sunset's glow,
      With ears to hear what I'd know,
      Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
      I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

If this poem makes you feel thankful, just share. After all, it's just a simple reminder that we have so much to be thankful for! Give the gift of love. It never comes back empty!