ESPN FC: "Enter Sandman"
ESPN FC: "Enter Sandman"
Manchester City will soon announce a big-name signing for their recently formed club New York City FC, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said.
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New York City FC, created by a partnership between City and the New York Yankees baseball club, will enter Major League Soccer in 2015.
The designated player rule in operation in North America allows clubs to sign up to three players whose wages are exempt from the team salary cap.
NYCFC are expected to pursue some high-profile players and Al Mubarak told City's website: "Very soon you will be hearing about our first signing for our club in New York and it will be a very pleasant surprise I hope for our fans."
NYCFC will start life by playing at Yankee Stadium before a new ground can be built and will be the first MLS franchise playing in one of New York's five boroughs, with the Red Bulls being based in New Jersey.
Al Mubarak added: "This is a very exciting project we have embarked on. We have a wonderful team of individuals over there that is being set up, led by Tim [Pernetti], our CEO. We have a great coach in Jason [Kreis].
"This will be another story of organic development. This is a club that is in a wonderful city, with a great fanbase. I love how the fans selected our crest. It is a wonderful story and I think it is going to be a great success story. I am very excited about next year."
City have also invested in Japanese club Yokohama F-Marinos and own Australian club Melbourne Heart and Al Mubarak said: "It is a global sporting platform that is coming to fruition."
Soccer Hot News
We have to win for fans, says Ramos
Real Madrid’s obsessive quest to deliver a 10th European crown for the fans has not gone unnoticed by defender Sergio Ramos.
The Spanish giants face city rivals and La Liga champions Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, aiming to snap their ‘La Decima’ curse.
Real have not tasted European glory since Zinedine Zidane inspired the club to a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 final – a record ninth title.
Fans of Real have been desperate for an elusive 10th crown, but they have endured 11 seasons without a finals appearance.
And the Spain international, who chose not to reflect on Real’s most recent achievements to predict the outcome of the final, does think the club’s experience in blockbuster games may prove telling in Lisbon as they look to end the drought for their fans.
“We shouldn’t talk about pressure or obsession either,” Ramos told reporters.
“I think it is more the hopes we have to be able to win the Champions League and to be able to share it with the fans who have not enjoyed it for many years.
“They have special affection for all that being European champion means.
“It is something new for us of course and that is why we have to win on the 24th, but it is not going to be easy. We know we are up against a great rival.”
Ramos also took time to praise head coach Carlo Ancelotti, lauding his relationship with the team which he believes raises self-esteem and confidence within the squad.
Ancelotti has enjoyed great success in Europe, winning four Champions League titles as a player and a coach with Milan.
“I think that as well as being the boss and the leader and the captain of the ship, I think that he is a friend and understands us all footballers perfectly,” the 28-year-old said.
“He has also been a footballer and he gets into the role and knows what we need at every moment. I think that makes our job a lot easier, it raises your self-esteem and self-confidence.
“In that sense, I think it is one of the fruits of this great season that Real Madrid has had. We were Copa del Rey champions against Barcelona and we are in the Champions League final.”
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