Al-Qadsiah sign German midfielder Julian Weigl from Borussia Monchengladbach

Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah has completed the signing of German midfielder Julian Weigl from Borussia Monchengladbach, the club announced on Monday. (Supplied)
Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah has completed the signing of German midfielder Julian Weigl from Borussia Monchengladbach, the club announced on Monday. (Supplied)
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Al-Qadsiah sign German midfielder Julian Weigl from Borussia Monchengladbach

Al-Qadsiah sign German midfielder Julian Weigl from Borussia Monchengladbach
  • 29-year-old joins on a two-year contract with an option to extend for a third year

AL-KHOBAR: Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah has completed the signing of German midfielder Julian Weigl from Borussia Monchengladbach, the club announced on Monday.

The 29-year-old joins on a two-year contract with an option to extend for a third year. According to reports, Weigl will earn up to €7 million ($8.2 million) annually with the newly-promoted SPL club.

Weigl, a defensive midfielder, arrives as a direct replacement for Argentine international Equi Fernandez, who recently made the switch to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

During his time at Borussia Monchengladbach, Weigl made 94 appearances, scoring three goals and providing six assists.

He brings a wealth of experience from European football, having also previously played for clubs like Benfica and Borussia Dortmund.

Al-Qadsiah welcomed the player via its official account on X (formerly Twitter), posting: “For the Knights Battalion... security has increased. From the German League, Weigl has arrived.”


Al-Ahli sign Matheus Goncalves from Flamengo

Al-Ahli sign Matheus Goncalves from Flamengo
Updated 27 sec ago

Al-Ahli sign Matheus Goncalves from Flamengo

Al-Ahli sign Matheus Goncalves from Flamengo
  • Al-Ahli paid 9 million euros to secure the services of the attacking midfielder
  • Brazilian played 18 matches with Flamengo last season, during which he scored 5 goals with 2 assists

JEDDAH: Al-Ahli have announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Matheus Goncalves from Flamengo on a two year contract, with the possible of a third season extension.

The move comes as part of the Al-Ahli’s efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of upcoming domestic, continental and international competitions.

Al-Ahli paid 9 million euros to secure the services of the attacking midfielder.

Goncalves will be registered among the list of foreign professional players born in 2004 and above, according to the club.

The Brazilian played 18 matches with Flamengo last season, during which he scored 5 goals and made 2 assists in just 627 minutes of playing time.

He was a key player in Flamengo’s U-20 Intercontinental Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2025.


Newcastle agree $74.30 million fee for Brentford’s Wissa

Newcastle agree $74.30 million fee for Brentford’s Wissa
Updated 33 min 56 sec ago

Newcastle agree $74.30 million fee for Brentford’s Wissa

Newcastle agree $74.30 million fee for Brentford’s Wissa
  • The 28-year-old DR Congo international has been the number one target for Newcastle

LONDON: Newcastle United have agreed a fee of 55 million pounds ($74.30 million) to sign Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, according to English media reports.

The 28-year-old DR Congo international has been the number one target for Newcastle since it became clear their striker Alexander Isak wanted to join Liverpool.

Isak was poised to complete a British record 125 million-pound move to the Premier League champions on Monday.

 

Wissa scored 45 goals in 137 Premier League appearances for Brentford since arriving from French club Lorient but has not featured this season as he held out for a move.

Last week he issued a statement via social media pleading with Brentford to allow him to join Newcastle.

Wissa, who had two years of his contract remaining at Brentford, is expected to have a medical at Newcastle later on Monday before completing his move.

His arrival will be a boost to Newcastle manager Eddie Howe whose side have had two 0-0 draws in their opening three games.


Toney claims hat-trick as Al-Ahli cruise to cup win over Al-Arabi

Toney claims hat-trick as Al-Ahli cruise to cup win over Al-Arabi
Updated 01 September 2025

Toney claims hat-trick as Al-Ahli cruise to cup win over Al-Arabi

Toney claims hat-trick as Al-Ahli cruise to cup win over Al-Arabi
  • 5-0 win at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah sees side advance to round of 16 in King Cup

BURAIDAH: Ivan Toney notched his second hat-trick for Al-Ahli on Sunday as the Asian champions defeated Al-Arabi 5-0 in the round of 32 in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Cup, also known as the King Cup.

Toney scored after 31 and 82 minutes before completing his night's work deep into stoppage time at the end of the match. Enzo Millot and Fahad Al-Rashidi scored Al-Ahli’s other goals.

The win, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, saw Al-Ahli advance to the round of 16.

The Englishman also scored a hat-trick against Al-Hilal in February in the Roshn Saudi League, paving the way to a memorable 3-2 win for his team.

Toney’s hat-trick against Al-Hilal was completed from open play, while his treble against Al-Arabi came from two penalties and a direct free-kick.

The striker has now scored five times this season: one in the Saudi Super Cup, another in the first round of the Saudi Pro League, and a hat-trick in the cup.


Baniyas claim adult-division title at Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup

Baniyas claim adult-division title at Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup
Updated 01 September 2025

Baniyas claim adult-division title at Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup

Baniyas claim adult-division title at Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup
  • Sharjah Self-Defence, Al-Ain and Al-Jazira win age groups under 14, 16 and 18 respectively at Shabab Al-Ahli

DUBAI: The two-day Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup concluded on Sunday night with Baniyas winning the division for adults at Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai.

The participants included clubs and academies from across the UAE, with Sunday featuring the finals in the age groups under 14, 16 and 18, and in the adult division.

Baniyas athlete Sultan Mohamed Al-Kaabi said: “Winning this title is a joy beyond words.

“We spent a long time preparing and training for this important championship. The challenge was tough as we faced many strong opponents, but in the end, the victory was ours.”

Sharjah Self-Defence, Al-Ain and Al-Jazira won the age groups under 14, 16 and 18 respectively at Shabab Al-Ahli.

Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, congratulated the winning clubs and academies, and thanked Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai for hosting the tournament.

“The Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup is a major fixture in our annual sports calendar, with both technical and community significance,” he said.

“This edition featured outstanding competition that showcased the efforts of clubs and academies, while also playing a vital role in discovering and developing young talent across age groups.”

Zayed Al-Kaabi, head coach of Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, said: “We succeeded in winning the under-16 title today, along with second place in both the under-14 and under-18 categories.

“We are pleased with these results and look forward to continuing the club’s journey of achievements and securing more titles to strengthen our standing locally.”

Harib Al-Hammadi, Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club athlete, added: “Winning the under-18 title is a proud moment for me and my teammates. Our hard work and preparations paid off, and this victory motivates us to push for even more success in the upcoming championships.”


Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other at the US Open on Monday

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other at the US Open on Monday
Updated 01 September 2025

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other at the US Open on Monday

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other at the US Open on Monday
  • This will be the sixth matchup between Gauff and Osaka as pros – and the second at Flushing Meadows

NEW YORK: Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka are scheduled to face each other in the US Open’s fourth round on Monday.
Gauff, a 21-year-old from Florida, is the Grand Slam tournament’s No. 3 seed. Osaka, a 27-year-old who was born in Japan and moved to the US with her family at age 3, is the No. 23 seed.
They have won a combined three titles at Flushing Meadows.
Monday’s winner will make it to this year’s quarterfinals.
Here is what you need to know about the most-anticipated match of the US Open so far:
When and where do Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other Monday?
The match will be held in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The exact time it will start is uncertain; that will depend on how long the contest before theirs takes to finish.
Gauff vs. Osaka is the second match in the tournament’s biggest arena on Monday, after Andrey Rublev of Russia plays against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the fourth round of the men’s bracket, starting at 11:30 a.m. EDT.
So Gauff and Osaka could begin as early as 1:30 p.m. or perhaps closer to 2 or 3 p.m. – or maybe even later than that. There is just no way to know for sure.
How can I watch Osaka vs. Gauff on TV?
ESPN is showing the US Open in the United States. Other countries’ broadcasters are listed here.
How often have Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka met head-to-head?
This will be the sixth matchup between Gauff and Osaka as pros – and the second at Flushing Meadows.
Back in 2019, also in Ashe, Osaka defeated a 15-year-old Gauff in straight sets, then consoled the teary American afterward and invited her to speak to the spectators.
Gauff has won three of the four matches they have played against each other since then, so she leads the head-to-head series 3-2.
How many Grand Slam titles have Osaka and Gauff won?
Osaka owns four Grand Slam singles championships, including at the US Open in 2018 and 2020. The other two came at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.
Gauff, who has been working with a new coach on her serve to try to overcome double-faulting problems, has collected two major trophies in singles – at the US Open in 2023 and the French Open this year – and one in doubles.