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Aston Villa have been fairly leaky in defence this season, and have not been able to stop regular goals going in against them. As per Sofascore, the Villans have conceded 32 goals this term in the top flight, better than only six teams in the entire division. It has certainly been a problem for Unai Emery’s side.

Yet, it is very surprising given they have a plethora of experience in defence. England internationals Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are two options, although the latter has only come back from injury recently. The likes of Pau Torres and Diego Carlos are other options at Emery’s disposal.

It might not be a surprise that the Villans are eyeing up a new centre-back recruit this winter.

Aston Villa targeting new defender

The player in question here is 18-year-old Turkish centre-back Yasin Ozcan. The Kasimpasa number 58 has been really impressive since breaking into the first team and has now been linked with a move away from the club.

According to a report from The Athletic, the Villans are now believed to be ‘on the cusp of signing’ the 18-year-old defender, who is set to have his medical on Tuesday afternoon before making the deal official.

However, he will likely not play at Villa Park this season. The report suggests that Ozcan will return to Kasimpasa on loan for the rest of the season.

In terms of a price for the youngster, he will reportedly cost £5.8m up front, with a further £841k in add-ons, and will sign a contract until 2030.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Why Ozcan would be a good signing

Despite his inexperience, it has been a really important season in the development of Ozcan in 2024/25. At just 18 years of age, he has made 18 appearances in the Turkish top flight, starting all but one of Kasimpasa’s games this term. The one he did not start was their most recent game, a 5-0 loss to Gotzepe.

He is certainly a well-rated young player, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig describing him as a “highly talented” defender. Part of the reason for such high praise might partly be to do with his versatility. The 18-year-old is able to play both centre-back and left centre-back, making him an excellent option for Emery this term.

Indeed, he could be an excellent long-term replacement for Villans defender Carlos. The Brazilian is linked with a move away from the club, with Fenerbahce lodging a bid that was rejected by Villa, as per The Athletic.

The 31-year-old brings experience to the Villans’ defence but has not been a first choice under Emery this term. He has played 17 times across all competitions, with just ten of those games coming in the Premier League.

When looking at the statistical battle between the pair, it is easy to see why Ozcan could be a good long-term replacement and upgrade on Carlos when looking at the stats on Sofascore. The youngster trumps the Villa star in several key defensive metrics.

For example, when looking at Carlos’ duel stats from the Premier League on Sofascore, he wins an average of 1.1 ground duels and 1.1 aerial duels per game. Comparatively, Ozcan averages 2.2 ground duels won and 2.1 aerial duels won.

Stat (per 90)

Ozcan

Carlos

Interceptions

2.1

0.5

Tackles won

1.3

0.8

Ball recoveries

3.7

3.6

Clearances

3.6

3.5

Duels won

4.2

2.2

Duel win %

51%

47%

As the stats suggest, the young Turkish star would certainly be an upgrade on Villa’s ageing Brazilian defender. The fee for Carlos is not reported, but it would only have to be around £6m in order for the club to reinvest that money straight back into the signing of Ozcan.

Bringing in a talented, left-footed defender at the age of just 18 for such a cheap price seems to be a brilliant piece of business by the Villans, ahead of 2025/26 and future seasons.

Not just Malen: Aston Villa keen on "world-class" star who's Coutinho 2.0

Aston Villa could get their next Coutinho in January

ByConnor Holden Jan 12, 2025

يلتقي الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بيراميدز اليوم الجمعة، مع نظيره أورلاندو بايرتس الجنوب إفريقي ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويستضيف بيراميدز، نظيره أورلاندو بايرتس، على ملعب الدفاع الجوي في القاهرة، في إطار لقاء العودة بنصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا موسم 2024-2025.

طالع.. أحمد الشناوي: أسعى لتحقيق ما فشلت فيه مع الزمالك.. وهدف بيراميدز الثلاثية

وكان لقاء الذهاب الذي جمع الفريقين على ملعب “سوكر سيتي” في مدينة جوهانسبرج، قد انتهى بالتعادل السلبي، ليبقى الحسم قائمًا في مواجهة الإياب بالقاهرة.

ويأمل بيراميدز، في التأهل إلى المباراة النهائية للمرة الأولى في تاريخه، حيث لم يسبق له أن وصل للأدوار الإقصائية في البطولة.

ومن المنتظر أن يواجه الفائز من بيراميدز وأورلاندو، المتأهل من مواجهة الأهلي وماميلودي صن داونز التي ستقام اليوم. موعد مباراة بيراميدز وأورلاندو بايراتس اليوم

وتنطلق مباراة بيراميدز وأورلاندو، اليوم في تمام التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والتاسعة مساءً بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة بيراميدز وأورلاندو بايراتس اليوم

وتنقل شبكة قنوات بي إن سبورتس المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 6.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are now willing to cash in on a player who the club feels has already developed under new boss Ruben Amorim, according to a new report.

Dan Ashworth leaves Man Utd

The big news of the month from Old Trafford has been the exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth, who only made the move to Man Utd in the summer from Newcastle United.

Ratcliffe and INEOS fought hard to bring Ashworth to the club from St James’ Park and was part of a boardroom shake up which also saw Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox arrive. However, Man Utd released a statement on Ashworth’s departure on Sunday morning, saying:

“Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”

The news and statement didn’t go down too well with former right-back and now pundit Gary Neville, who slammed the club’s “really poor” statement and believes that “something has happened” inside Old Trafford.

“I’m really shocked this morning that this has happened and it’s not a great look at all. It’s something that’s going to need a lot of explaining. I think the statement that the club have put out is really poor. Manchester United haven’t had a voice for 10 years. They’ve lost their authority, they’ve lost their boldness. I think they’ve been getting it back a little bit in the last 12 months. What’s really clear is that there is a fracture here. Something has happened.”

Man Utd and INEOS now agree £4m deal to sign new gem for Amorim after talks

United are closing in on the signing of a player who can help address their problem position.

ByBrett Worthington Dec 12, 2024

Now, attention is heading into the New Year, with Ratcliffe, INEOS and Amorim preparing for more potential changes, starting with the January transfer window.

In 2025, Christian Eriksen is expected to leave Man Utd when his Old Trafford contract expires in the summer, and another player linked with an exit has been Marcus Rashford.

Man Utd ready to accept £40m offer for Rashford

Earlier in the week, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg revealed that Man Utd are open to selling Rashford in 2025, despite the club acknowledging his development under Amorim.

One of the reasons Rashford could be sold is due to Financial Fair Play, and a new update has now emerged. According to Chris Wheeler of The Daily Mail, Man Utd will consider offers in the region of £40m for Rashford in 2025.

That figure would have been £100m after his fine first campaign under Erik ten Hag, however, that has now dropped considerably for the £300,000-a-week star.

Wheeler does add that any offers arriving in January are unlikely, but it looks as if Rashford’s days at Old Trafford could be numbered.

Big picture

With both India and Sri Lanka missing many of their first-choice players, it was going to be a battle of bench strengths. Few countries enjoy the depth India have and that was evident during the first T20I in Lucknow. The 62-run win margin, huge in itself, looks even more crushing when you glance at India’s bowling card. Their four frontline bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal – didn’t complete their quotas as India tried Venkatesh Iyer and Deepak Hooda for three overs each.After their early exit at the last T20 World Cup, India have taken a few steps in the right direction, especially with their top three batters showing more intent. With Venkatesh stepping up with both bat and ball and Ravindra Jadeja making a comeback, they seem to have a sixth bowling option covered as well.However, their fielding, especially catching, is one area that still needs work. The three catches dropped on Thursday could have proved costly on another day. If their goal is to be the best fielding side at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia, as Rohit Sharma said after the match, they will look to improve on those metrics.After their first T20I loss, Sri Lanka were dealt another blow on Friday: Mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana and batter Kusal Mendis have been ruled out of the T20I series with their hamstring injuries.In the absence of Theekshana (and Wanindu Hasaranga), it will once again be down to Jeffrey Vandersay and Praveen Jayawickrama to shoulder the responsibility in the spin department. The pace attack looks relatively experienced and settled but for Sri Lanka to beat India at home, not only their bowlers but also their batters need to come good. Sri Lanka know that, and therefore have added Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva to the T20I squad with the two injuries.

Form guide

India WWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWLLLRelated

• Rohit admits managing workload will be key

• Kishan, Shreyas fifties muscle India to win

• Theekshana, Mendis ruled out of T20s

In the spotlight

In the last few years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has struggled with his form and fitness, but every now and then he shows what peak Bhuvneshwar brings to the table, with his ability to swing the new ball and deliver yorkers and slower ones at the death. Last year, when England posted 188 for 8 in their unsuccessful chase of 225, Bhuvneshwar had figures of 4-0-15-2. Last week, his four-run 19th over against West Indies all but sealed the game for India. On Thursday, he dented Sri Lanka’s chase with 2 for 9 from two overs. India would like to see more of that from him before the World Cup comes around.Bhuvnewshwar Kumar rocked Sri Lanka with two early blows•BCCI

Charith Asalanka was among the top five run scorers at the 2021 T20 World Cup. He had a difficult time in Australia earlier this month, where he managed just 64 runs in five innings (average 12.80, strike rate 114.28), but showed encouraging signs during his unbeaten 53 off 47 balls on Thursday. In fact, he was the only Sri Lanka batter to show any fight.

Team news

Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the first T20I after he complained of pain in his right wrist, which is affecting his batting. If he remains unavailable, India could go in with an unchanged XI.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Ishan Kishan (wk), 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Sanju Samson, 5 Deepak Hooda, 6 Venkatesh Iyer, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Harshal Patel, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Yuzvendra ChahalTo infuse some experience into the batting line-up, Sri Lanka could replace Kamil Mishara with Danushka Gunathilaka, while Dinesh Chandimal could make way for Dickwella.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Charith Asalanka, 4 Janith Liyanage, 5 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Chamika Karunaratne, 8 Dushmantha Chameera, 9 Jeffrey Vandersay, 10 Praveen Jayawickrama, 11 Lahiru Kumara

Pitch and conditions

The last time India were to play an international match in scenic Dharamsala, rain didn’t allow even a coin toss. The same thing had happened during their last scheduled T20I here. And rain could play spoilsport on Saturday as well. Given the last T20I in Dharamsala was played back in 2016, it’s difficult to say how the pitch will behave.

Stats and trivia

• Since losing to New Zealand at the T20 World Cup, India have won ten T20Is on the trot. The record for the most successive T20I wins is held jointly by Afghanistan and Romania with 12 wins.
• Sri Lanka have won three and lost 12 of the 16 T20Is they have played in India. Their win-loss ratio of 0.250 is their joint-worst in any country.
• Chahal’s 67 T20I wickets are now the most for India. He overtook Bumrah, who has 66 scalps.

Quotes

“We have been very predictable in the games against big teams, thinking much about keeping our wickets in hand and slogging in the second half of the innings. But right now it’s very simple. All of us are so talented, we have got shots in our pockets and the captain and the coach believe in us. So we have to just go there and play our game. If the ball is there then we need to go for it rather than just taking a single.”

Former Arsenal striker Mika Biereth scored his third hat-trick in just seven matches as his dream start at Monaco continued.

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Biereth left Arsenal last summerJoined Monaco in JanuaryScores third hat-trick in seven gamesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The ex-Gunners forward scored all three goals as Monaco beat Reims 3-0 to rise to fourth in Ligue 1 on Friday evening. The 22-year-old only joined the French side from Sturm Graz in January but already he has three hat-tricks and 10 goals in as many games in all competitions.

AdvertisementWHAT BIERETH SAID

After the game, Biereth admitted it is taking time to process his goalscoring feats. He said: "It’s a good night but the most important thing is the three points.

"I admit I don’t fully realise what’s happening with this new hat-trick. I approach every game trying to score and my team-mates put me in good positions.

"I think I’ve always been pretty good at putting the ball in the back of the net. Today, it worked well again."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Biereth joined Arsenal's youth academy in 2021 after a spell at Fulham and was loaned to RKC in Netherlands and Scottish side Motherwell before a temporary stay at Sturm Graz that turned permanent last summer. Arsenal have been crying out for a centre-forward in recent times, especially with the injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as their Premier League title hopes fade. And with Biereth firing in goals for fun at Monaco, this may have been the one that got away for Mikel Arteta.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Danish attacker Biereth has become the first player in 70 years to score three hat-tricks in his first seven Ligue 1 matches.

GOAL takes a look at MLS's best XI with the 2025 season looming

The 2025 MLS season begins Saturday afternoon when Lionel Messi's Inter Miami takes on New York City FC in an Eastern Conference clash. The match arrives less than three months after the LA Galaxy claimed the 2024 MLS Cup, defeating the New York Red Bulls for their first title in 10 years. The and Messi themselves set the MLS regular season points record en route to claiming the Supporters' Shield, while the Argentine himself was named MLS MVP, too.

The 2025 season is shaping up to be potentially the league's most exciting campaign, especially with the addition of its 30th team in San Diego FC.

With the MLS kicking off its 30th season, who really are the best players in MLS? Ahead of the 2025 season, GOAL presents the MLS Best XI, crafted from strict criteria to ensure the top players from each position would be considered in a 4-3-3 formation with two central midfielders and one attacking midfielder.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportGoalkeeper: Kristijan Kahlina, Charlotte FC

The Charlotte FC shot-stopper was absolutely brilliant in 2024, finishing with a career-high 12 shutouts across the regular season. The Croatian goalkeeper was instrumental to conceding just 37 goals last season; the second-fewest across all of MLS.

Named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024, the 32-year-old recorded 121 saves while averaging a save percentage of 75.63 — the best in MLS last season.

Per American Soccer Analysis, Kahlina's -10.47 G-xG ranks as the second-best individual goalkeeping season in MLS since 2013, only behind former New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic’s -10.75 in 2022.

AdvertisementUSA Today Sports Left Back: Jordi Alba, Inter Miami

In his first full season with the , Alba led all MLS defenders in assists with 14 as Miami lifted the Supporters’ Shield and set the MLS regular season points record with 74 points. He averaged a passing completion percentage of 83.8 as well, highlighting how crucial he was to their success of building out of the back. He scored four goals as well.

The former Barcelona and Spain ace has settled into life in MLS phenomenally, with strict defensive performances when needed, while providing brilliant overlapping play into their attack as well.

After his 2024 season, the 35-year-old ranks third all-time in assists for the South Beach club.

IMGANCenter Back: Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Seattle Sounders

The Seattle Sounders 32-year-old defender was remarkable in 2024, putting on a defending clinic throughout the regular season and postseason.

Last campaign, he started 28 matches, making 30 regular season appearances as the Sounders boasted the least amount of goals scored across the entire league, with just 35 being allowed in.

The Sounders led the league in clean sheets with 13 of them, 11 of which Yeimar started. The Colombian was named to MLS ' Best XI in 2024 for the second time in his career.

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IMGANCenter Back: Adilson Malanda, Charlotte FC

Malanda's rise to stardom in MLS has been brilliant, and what makes it even better, is he's still a relatively unknown quantity to a lot of fans around the league. He's quiet, but composed, and just a fantastic central defender.

In 2024, he led Charlotte FC's back line to the second-best defense in the league, with the conceding just 37 goals across the regular season. He himself started 32 regular season games for the club, playing 2,880 minutes while keeping 13 clean sheets. He scored his first MLS goal in 2024, as well.

Linked with a move abroad in summer 2024, the Frenchman signed a new contract last summer, and is one of MLS' brightest prospects at just 23-years-old.

Roberto Firmino will not be eligible to play in the Saudi Pro League again this season after Al-Ahli de-registered him from their squad.

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• Firmino can't play for his club in league
• Dropped to make way for Galeno
• May feature in Champions League

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Al-Ahli submitted an updated squad list after the completion of the January transfer window and Firmino has not been included. On deadline day, the club signed Galeno, a Brazilian winger, and Firmino has been axed to make way for him. Saudi clubs are allowed 10 foreign players, and two must be under the age of 21. Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney are registered but now Firmino has dropped out.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While the ex-Liverpool man will not be eligible to play in the Pro League, he can play in the Champions League. Al-Ahli have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition.

• WHAT AL-AHLI SAID

  Manager Matthias Jaissle said: "It was a difficult decision for the club and based on the rules.

  "We appreciate him and he dealt with it professionally. He's still one of our leaders."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Firmino has a contract until 2026 but it remains to be seen if he will seek an exit after being locked out of league football until the end of the season.

One former Manchester United man has provided a major update on a potential 2025 deal for the Red Devils as they look to rebuild under the new ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Ten Hag teetering as Manchester United boss

Erik ten Hag was granted a new contract in the summer after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, following a very public search for a potential successor for the Dutchman.

However, early season form has failed to justify that show of faith in the former Ajax-boss by the higher-ups at Old Trafford, and he has already been granted a stay of execution over the November international break, when draws against Aston Villa and Porto helped save his job.

INEOS tracking £13m-rated gem as possible Luke Shaw replacement at Man Utd

Man Utd look to be weighing up their options to strengthen the left side of their defence.

1 ByBrett Worthington Oct 24, 2024

But things cannot continue in the same vein, with Manchester United currently 12th in the Premier League with a negative goal difference, six points off a spot in the top four after just eight games.

Outside the top flight, they have made it into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but have drawn three successive Europa League games and currently sit 21st in the 36-strong league.

As he so often has, it seems that once more Ten Hag is facing a crucial run of fixtures to save his job at Old Trafford, starting with a trip to the London Stadium to take on West Ham before home games against Leicester City in the cup and a Premier League game against Chelsea.

Manchester United’s games before the next international break

Opponent (Home/Away)

Competition

West Ham United (Away)

Premier League

Leicester City (Home)

Carabao Cup

Chelsea (Home)

Premier League

PAOK Thessaloniki (Home)

Europa League

Ipswich Town (Away)

Premier League

Despite the man in charge though, INEOS are determined to make a splash in the transfer market, if a former Manchester United figure is correct.

Mick Brown makes Davies claim

That comes as ex-Manchester United scout Mick Brown, who was briefly Sir Alex Ferguson’s no.2 at Old Trafford, has provided an update on his former side’s pursuit of Alphonso Davies. The Canadian defender is out of contract in 2025, and has been linked with a move to Manchester United as well as Real Madrid should he not pen fresh terms at the Allianz Arena.

The defender, who has been dubbed “unbelievable” by teammate Joshua Kimmich during his time in Bavaria, is thought to have emerged as a target for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and according to Brown a deal could well be on.

“Because he’s available for free, I’ve heard United will definitely be among those interested”, he explained to Football Insider.

“A left-back is on their list of targets and the opportunity to sign a big-name player there is something I’ve been told they’re keen on.

“Beating Real Madrid to the deal might prove difficult, but if they want to get it done, I’d expect them to push for it.”

Any deal to beat the reigning Champions League champions to the Canadian may depend on what level of European football Manchester United can offer next season, with Davies having spent all of his career in Europe at the top table and unlikely to want to drop down a level as he heads into what is the prime of his career.

An Arsenal exit for one big-name member of the Gunners squad is said to be a real possibility, with manager Mikel Arteta personally eyeing a possible replacement.

Arsenal maintain unbeaten start with victory over Southampton

The Premier League title hopefuls maintained their unbeaten start to the season in all competitions with a 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday, despite a brief scare courtesy of Cameron Archer’s surprise opener for the visitors.

Related £240k-per-week Arsenal ace out for "best part of four weeks" through injury

It could even be longer.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Oct 8, 2024

The Saints forward handed Russell Martin’s men a brief lead just after the second-half restart, but goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka soon after ensured that Arsenal would come away from the Emirates with all three points.

Speaking after the game, Arteta praised his players for their belief, character and discipline to fight back from a goal down and ultimately turn the game around in convincing fashion – despite a sloppy start to the first 45.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Bournemouth (away)

October 19

Liverpool (home)

October 27

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

“First half I thought it was exceptional,” said Arteta after Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Southampton.

“The amount of dominance that we had in the areas that we played, the amount of situations and chances we created in open play and set pieces, our counter-press worked really well there. It’s unbelievable that we didn’t score a goal.

“Then we started the second half, we were a bit sloppy, especially in the first 5-10 minutes with the ball and then the game became a little more open. Then the chance they had, they scored the goal, and then again, we’ve thrown everything away that we did in the first half. It was a completely brand-new game in a really difficult context and the team reacted incredibly well with a lot of composure; big belief, very good clarity in what we had to do. The crowd were exceptional, the subs were exceptional and we managed to win again.”

While Bukayo Saka put in another excellent display against Southampton, striker Gabriel Jesus was a cause for concern. The Brazilian, who played just 19 minutes of football across all competitions before being handed the nod on Saturday, was substituted on the hour mark despite the scores being level – with Jesus dropping a “5/10” performance overall.

Jesus could leave Arsenal with Arteta a real fan of Marmoush

There are doubts over the £265,000-per-week star’s suitability to lead the line, with Havertz the preferred option. According to reports out of Spain, Jesus could leave Arsenal with Palmeiras interested in signing him. They add that Arteta is also a real fan of a potential replacement – Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush.

The Egyptian has been linked with a move to north London very recently, with some reports claiming that Marmoush “dreams” of a switch to Arsenal or Liverpool. The 25-year-old, as per Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, is also stalling on signing a new contract amid his sensational start to the season.

He already boasts nine goals and six assists over just nine games in all competitions, and if Marmoush continues in this form, it is surely only a matter of time before elite English sides like Arsenal come knocking.

U.S. women's national team star Jaedyn Shaw has been traded to the North Carolina Courage in a blockbuster NWSL deal

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• Shaw traded to North Carolina
• Massive trade package for San Diego
• Set to join USWNT for January camp

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jaedyn Shaw, 20, one of the most talented young stars in American soccer, is officially on the move in one of the NWSL's most significant trades.

  The North Carolina Courage have acquired U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Jaedyn Shaw via trade with San Diego Wave FC, the clubs announced Tuesday. Shaw is under contract through the 2026 NWSL season.

  In exchange for the rising international star, the Wave will receive $300,000 in allocation money, an international spot for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and $150,000 in intraleague transfer fees. The deal includes performance-based incentives, with the Courage potentially sending up to $75,000 in additional allocation money in exchange for up to $150,000 in intraleague transfer fees.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Shaw is one of the USWNT's brightest prospects, having already proven herself as a dynamic attacker on the international level despite her age. The 20-year-old forward has eight goals in 21 USWNT caps, having only made her debut in October 2023. She was a member of the USWNT's gold medal squad at the Olympics, but did not play due to injury.

  On the club level, Shaw turned professional as a 17-year-old in 2022, making her the NWSL's second-youngest player at the time. Able to play as a No. 10, winger or as a false-nine, Shaw scored 14 goals in 61 games with the Wave, while earning a Best XI selection in 2023.

  The trade will surely send shockwaves through the NWSL. The Courage have now acquired a legitimate star after finishing fifth last season before falling to the Kansas City Current in the opening round of the postseason.

• WHAT SHAW SAID

  “I am so grateful to be here and to call North Carolina home. I’m excited to experience a new style of play and to learn and grow alongside amazing players and coaches. I can’t wait to get to work and help bring another championship to Courage Country,” Shaw said in a statement.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT THE COURAGE SAID

  “Bringing Jaedyn here is a great day for our club. She is someone who has every tool at such a young age and will be a key part of our club. Her quality on the ball, both in possession and on the dribble, along with her levels in and around the box can unlock opposition. She suits our style of play and our supporters will be able to see one of the top young talents every week. We can’t wait to welcome this truly gifted player and even better person to our team. It’s a great day for us and we look forward to having Jaedyn in Courage Country,” said Courage Head Coach Sean Nahas in a statement.