Sports
Khadija Shaw and Grace Clinton Take Top Honors at PFA Awards
Khadija Shaw has been awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Women’s Player of the Year, with Grace Clinton securing the Young Player of the Year award.
Shaw, a 27-year-old forward for Manchester City, emerged as the Women’s Super League’s top scorer in the 2023-24 season, netting an impressive 21 goals in just 18 games. Despite her season being cut short by injury, Shaw’s contributions were pivotal in helping Manchester City finish second in the league, narrowly missing out on the title to Chelsea. This is Shaw’s first PFA award, adding to her accolades as the WSL Player of the Year for 2023-24 and the Women’s Football Awards Player of the Year.
Shaw beat stiff competition to claim the PFA honor, including her Manchester City teammates Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp, as well as Chelsea stars Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James, and Niamh Charles.
Grace Clinton, the 21-year-old midfielder for Manchester United, earned the Young Player of the Year award after a successful loan spell at Tottenham, where she contributed four goals and four assists. Clinton’s performances also earned her her first England caps, highlighting her rise in the game. Last year’s winner, Lauren James, was also in contention for the award after a standout season with Chelsea, where she scored 13 goals in 16 games to help secure the Women’s Super League title.
The shortlist for the young player award also included Manchester City’s Khiara Keating and Jess Park, Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, and Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier.
Sports
Jack Draper Advances to Japan Open Last 16 with Win Over Bellucci
British tennis player Jack Draper has secured a spot in the Japan Open last 16 after defeating Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in straight sets. Draper, ranked world number 20, claimed a 6-4, 6-2 victory, marking his first win since his US Open semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner earlier this month.
The 22-year-old’s triumph in Tokyo comes as a welcome return to form following a challenging Davis Cup in Manchester, where he lost both of his singles matches to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, contributing to Great Britain’s failure to reach the knockout stages.
After a tightly contested first set against world number 103 Bellucci, Draper dominated the second set, building a 5-1 lead before closing out the match. He will face Polish second seed Hubert Hurkacz in the next round on Friday.
Sports
Wolves Defender Yerson Mosquera Likely Out for Season with Knee Injury
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Yerson Mosquera is expected to miss the remainder of the season following a serious knee injury sustained in Wolves’ 3-1 loss to Aston Villa. The 23-year-old Colombian twisted his knee after a collision with Villa’s Morgan Rogers in the 82nd minute and was stretchered off the pitch.
Scans confirmed that Mosquera suffered damage to both the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which will require surgery. Wolves’ head of high performance, Phil Hayward, said, “We will be visiting specialists to finalise the plan for surgery, and it’s highly unlikely he will feature again this season.”
Mosquera had been a key part of Wolves’ defense this season, starting all five Premier League games after returning from a loan spell at Villarreal. His absence further deepens Wolves’ defensive issues, as they did not secure a replacement for Max Kilman following his £40m move to West Ham.
Wolves, currently winless and sitting at the bottom of the Premier League, face Liverpool at home in their next match.
Sports
Ex-Real Madrid & Manchester United Defender Raphael Varane Retires at 31
Raphael Varane, former defender for Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the French national team, has retired from professional football at the age of 31. Varane, who joined Italian side Como in July, sustained a knee injury on his debut, prompting his decision to step away from playing. He will remain at Como in a non-playing capacity.
In an emotional Instagram post, Varane wrote, “It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct,” explaining his desire to leave the sport on his own terms.
Varane began his career at Lens before a decade-long stint at Real Madrid, where he won 18 major trophies, including three La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns. He later joined Manchester United in 2021, making 95 appearances and winning the Carabao Cup in 2022.
Internationally, Varane earned 93 caps for France, winning the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League. Reflecting on his career, Varane expressed pride in both his achievements and staying true to his values.
He hinted at future projects with Como, adding, “Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon.” Varane has also been vocal about the dangers of head injuries in football, having played through concussions during his career, and he has called for better protection for players.
-
Spotlight4 days ago
Top Legal Pitfalls Employers Must Avoid to Prevent Wrongful Termination Claims
-
Sports4 days ago
Barcelona’s Ter Stegen to Undergo Knee Surgery After Injury
-
Sports4 days ago
‘Haaland throwing ball at Gabriel a coward’s move’
-
Business4 days ago
British Airways Suspends Summer 2025 Flights from Southampton Airport
-
News4 days ago
Japan Battles Devastating Floods Following Record Rainfall, Six Dead
-
Entertainment4 days ago
Deadline Set for Bids on Historic Peter Pan House in Dumfries
-
Sports4 days ago
Stones Snatches Late Equaliser to Deny Arsenal Victory at Etihad
-
News14 hours ago
Israeli Airstrikes Hit Beirut, Hezbollah Leader Targeted Amid Escalating Conflict