Ghana international Thomas Partey joins Al-Shabab
by @football_sierra

Ghana international Thomas Partey joins Al-Shabab

Saudi Pro League team Al-Shabab has signed Ghana international Thomas Partey.

Partey, 33, was a free agent this summer after Villarreal chose not to extend his contract. He played 167 games for Arsenal between 2020 and 2025.

Partey is set to go on trial next year after pleading not guilty to seven charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault. These allegations involve four women and relate to incidents between 2020 and 2022.

During the World Cup this summer, Partey was not allowed to enter Canada before Ghana’s first match against Panama due to the ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK.

He wrongly told officials that he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. He played in Ghana’s other three matches in the tournament, but the team lost in the last 32 stage against Colombia.

Al-Shabab, which includes former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill and ex-Wolves winger Daniel Podence, finished 13th last season and lost their first match this season.

Kumba Brima joins Spanish side Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas
by @football_sierra

Kumba Brima joins Spanish side Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas

Kumba Zainab Brima is now playing for Spanish club Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas on loan from Riga FC Women.

Brima joined Riga FC Women in the middle of the 2025 season and helped the team win three titles: the Women’s Cup, the Latvian Championship, and the Baltic Football League trophy.

In 2026, she played a key role in the team’s success, helping them achieve first place in the UWCL mini-tournament. She finished her season by helping the team become Baltic League champions.

The Sierra Leone International, is an attacking player. While she mainly plays as a centre forward, she can also fill other attacking roles. Her strength and skills in the penalty area help her create scoring chances for her team.

Brima joins the Gloriosas after an impressive scoring record. With Riga FC Women, she was the top scorer in the Baltic Women’s League with 23 goals. She also played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers, showcasing her goal-scoring ability.

At 24 years old, Kumba Brima arrives in Vitoria-Gasteiz to bring her talent to the Albiazul attack and continue growing as a footballer.

Cape Verde Appoints Humberto Bettencourt as New Coach
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Cape Verde Appoints Humberto Bettencourt as New Coach

The Cape Verde Football Federation has promoted their long‑time assistant Humberto Bettencourt to head coach, entrusting the 51‑year‑old with guiding the Blue Sharks into their next chapter after a historic FIFA World Cup debut.

Coach Bettencourt succeeds his former boss Bubista, who departed to manage Moroccan side RS Berkane. Having served six years as Bubista’s deputy, Bettencourt was a key architect of Cape Verde’s rise, including their landmark 2026 World Cup campaign where the island nation stunned global audiences.

Cape Verde’s federation opted for continuity, banking on Bettencourt’s tactical familiarity with the squad and philosophy that helped the team hold eventual champions Spain, draw Uruguay, and push Argentina to extra time in the round of 32.

His first major test will be the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with crucial fixtures in September and October, as expectations are higher than ever, since Cape Verde are no longer seen as outsiders but as a resilient force capable of challenging Africa’s elite.

For Bettencourt, the promotion marks a transition from behind‑the‑scenes strategist to the public face of Cape Verdean football, and he’s now tasked with ensuring the World Cup is remembered not as a one‑off triumph, but as the foundation for sustained success on the continental stage.

by @football_sierra

Ivorian midfielder Abdoul Ouattara is ready for a new challenge with Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town has secured the signing of winger Abdoul Ouattara from French club Strasbourg. The 20-year-old Ivorian international has joined the team on a five-year contract, bringing his talent and flair to the squad.

Town boss Gary O’Neil stated: “Abdoul is a talented young player who offers versatility and is a great addition to our squad. We enjoyed working with him in France and are thrilled to continue at Ipswich.”

Born in Zoukpangbeu, Ivory Coast, Abdoul moved to France at 10 and joined Strasbourg’s youth academy in 2018. He debuted for the first team in a 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in October 2024 and became a key player under O’Neil last season, showing his adaptability across various positions.

Ouattara made 45 appearances for Strasbourg in the French top league and was part of the team that reached the UEFA Conference League semi-finals last season.

He said, “I am still young but have had some good experiences already, and I can’t wait to meet the fans and my teammates and get started.”

Since being promoted from the Championship last season, Ipswich has spent £150 million. With the signings of Ouattara and Enciso, they have now made 12 major signings.

Ipswich will start their Premier League campaign at home against Sunderland on August 22.

by @football_sierra

Aston Villa eye DR Congo’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Aston Villa has agreed to sign West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The right-back from DR Congo will join on an initial loan deal, with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Wan-Bissaka can travel to the Midlands for a medical, but the exact terms of the deal are unclear. West Ham previously requested a £25 million fee from interested clubs. The 28-year-old has missed West Ham’s first two matches of the season while negotiations took place.

West Ham has sold Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham for £85 million and Crysencio Summerville for £60 million this summer. However, captain Jarrod Bowen has signed a new contract.

Aston Villa has also been active in the transfer market. They sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117 million. Their net spending in the Premier League is the lowest at about £110 million after accounting for sales.

Villa has signed midfielders Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes, as well as Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho on a loan with an obligation to buy. They also added young centre-back Modou Keba Cisse.

Villa will start their Premier League campaign at Brighton on Sunday at 14:00 BST. They will also play in the Champions League after finishing fourth and winning the Europa League under Unai Emery last season.