Manchester United complete Lisandro Martinez signing from Ajax in £57m deal

Manchester United have completed the signing of Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez from Ajax in a deal worth up to 67m euros (£57m), BBC reported.

United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to be reunited with the 24-year-old, who he signed for Ajax in 2019.

He joins the club on a five-year contract which keeps him at Old Trafford until 2027, with the option of a further year.

"It's an honour to join this great football club," Martinez said.

"I've worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I'm here, I'm going to push myself even further."

Martinez made 120 appearances for Ajax after moving from Argentinian side Defensa y Justicia for £6.3m in 2019, and also played for Newell's Old Boys.

He has won seven caps for Argentina since making his senior debut in March 2019, and played once in the country's successful Copa America campaign in 2021.

"I've been lucky enough to be part of successful teams in my career and that's what I want to continue at Manchester United," he said.

"There will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that, under this manager and coaches, and together with my new team-mates, we can do it."

Martinez played under Ten Hag at Ajax and won the Eredivisie title with the club in 2021 and 2022, as well as the Dutch Cup in 2021.

He was also Ajax's player of the year for the 2021-22 season, according to BBC.

"He's a warrior and I think the fans will admire him. He has an attitude, fighting spirit," Ten Hag said.

"He brings aggressiveness in the game, in a good way. I think we need that.

"But he's also skilful, he can deal with the ball and he's left-footed."

United's football director John Murtough added: "We are delighted that he has chosen to join Manchester United and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further and help the team achieve the success we are aiming for."

The centre-back is United's third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer and Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia, BBC reported.

Efforts continue to lure Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford from Barcelona.

Nepali football team leaves for India to play U-20 Men's SAFF Championship

The Nepali football left for India to take part in the U-20 Men's SAFF Championship on Friday.

The Championship will be held at Bhubaneshwor of India from July 25 to August 5.

All Nepal Football Association Chairman Pankaj Bikram Nembang, member secretary of the National Sports Council, Tanka Lal Ghising and office-bearers of ANFA bade farewell to the team.

There are five teams in the championship including the host India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Nepal will play against Maldives on July 25 as an inaugural match.

Similarly, Nepal will play its second match against Sri Lanka on July 27 and third match against India on July 31.

Likewise, Nepal will play another match against Bangladesh on August 2. The top two teams of the championship will play final match on August 5. 

Ishwor Gurung, Unesh Chaudhary and Jiyarath Sheikh, Amar Shrestha, Sonit Dahal, Ayush Shrestha, Ajay Chaudhary, Sumit Shrestha, Srijan Dhani, Roshan Thapa, Abhishek Waiba, Dipesh Gurung, Ashish Rai, Sandeep Karki, Janmajaya Dhami, Mohit Gurung, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Sugam Suwal, Managya Nakarmi, Ayush Ghalan, Dipesh Rai, Niranjan Malla and Roshan Khadgi are in the team.

Robert Lewandowski: Poland striker completes move from Bayern Munich to Barcelona

Barcelona have signed Poland striker Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich on a four-year contract worth 50m euros (£42.6m), BBC reported.

The 33-year-old had one year left on his contract with the German champions but in May said: "My story with Bayern is over.".

He has joined his new team-mates in Miami as part of Barcelona's four-match tour in the United States.

"I'm finally here. I'm delighted to be at Barca," Lewandowski said.

"The last few days have been very long, but the deal is done and now I can focus on a new chapter and challenge in my life. 

"I've always wanted to play in La Liga and for the big clubs. 

"I'm here to help Barca get back to the top and win as many titles as possible." 

Lewandowski, who had a buyout clause of 500m euros (£425.9m), joined Bayern on a free transfer in 2014 after his departure from Borussia Dortmund, according to BBC.

He scored 50 goals in 46 games last season as he helped Bayern win a 10th straight Bundesliga title. 

Lewandowski has scored 344 times in 374 games for the club and is their second-highest scorer of all time behind Gerd Muller.

He has won the league in all eight of his seasons at Bayern and also won the Champions League in 2019-20.

Lewandowski is Barcelona's fourth signing of the summer following Brazil winger Raphinha joining from Leeds United in a deal worth up to £55m, while Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie and Denmark defender Andreas Christensen have arrived on free transfers after their respective contracts with AC Milan and Chelsea came to an end.

France winger Ousmane Dembele has also signed a contract extension with Barcelona this summer, BBC reported.

Meanwhile, Bayern have signed the Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus on a five-year contract in a deal worth 77m euros (£65.6m).

ANFA announces 23-member squad for SAFF U-20 Championship

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has announced a 23-member team to play the 2022 SAFF U-20 Championship.

The regional event will be held in Bhubaneswar of Odisha state of India from July 25 to August 5.

The coach selected 23 members from among the 30 and Ishwor Gurung, Unesh Chaudhary and Jiyarath Sheikh have been selected as goalkeepers.

Amar Shrestha, Sonit Dahal, Ayush Shrestha, Ajay Chaudhary, Sumit Shrestha, Srijan Dhani, Roshan Thapa and Abhishek Waiba are playing in the defence line while Dipesh Gurung, Ashish Rai, Sandip Karki, Janmajaya Dhami, Mohit Gurung, Kritishratna Chhunju, Sugam Suwal, Managya Nakarmi and Aayush Ghalan are the midfielders when Dipesh Rai, Niranjan Malla and Rohan Khadgi have been selected as forwards.

Host India, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka will be competing in the event and Nepal will meet the Maldives in the opening match on July 25.

Likewise, Nepal will play against Sri Lanka in the second match on July 27 and against India in the third match on July 31. Nepal will face Bangladesh on August 2.