MK Dons have signed winger Sam Silvera on a free transfer after he was released by Middlesbrough at the end of last season.
The 25-year-old was a first-choice player under former Boro boss Rob Edwards at the beginning of the 2025-26 season but was unable to retain a regular place in the side after suffering a foot injury in February.
He is an Australian international, earning eight caps, but was not part of the Socceroos' 26-man World Cup squad this summer.
Silvera made 65 appearances for Middlesbrough across three seasons, scoring eight goals.
He becomes MK Dons' sixth signing of the summer transfer window as they prepare for life back in League One, their first season in the third tier since the 2022-23 campaign.

#dons #middlesbrough #first #eight

The transfer window for Premier League, English Football League, Scottish Premiership and Women's Super League clubs - and their counterparts in Germany, France, Spain and Italy - re-opened on 15 June.
Take a look at all the confirmed deals for July, and read the latest rumours in Football Gossip.
English Football League
Sebastian Berhalter [Vancouver Whitecaps - Middlesbrough] Undisclosed
Somto Boniface [Ipswich - Leyton Orient] Loan

#scottish #super

Defender Callum Doyle says Wrexham have got over the hurt of missing out on promotion to the Premier League last season.
The Red Dragons narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs after failing to beat Middlesbrough on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign.
Wrexham finished seventh, two points behind eventual play-off winners Hull City, but Doyle believes they can go one better next year and at least finish in the top six.
"On a personal level, it does hurt a lot when you miss out like we did," said Doyle, who is preparing to face Premier League giants Liverpool in Wrexham's next pre-season game.
"We worked so hard to try to get in the play-off places so losing out on the final day was really gutting.

#season #next

Where to watch Celtic vs. AC Milan live stream, TV channel, start time for summer friendly originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Celtic host AC Milan on Saturday in a preseason friendly game in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Scottish champions, who ****** ed the ****** le from Hearts on a memorable final day of last season, have already played three warm-up games ahead of the start of 2026/27, most recently drawing with EFL Championship side Middlesbrough.
AC Milan, now coached by former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, are at the beginning of their preseason preparations. They have games to come against city rivals Inter, Chelsea, and Amorim's former club before they start their Serie A campaign against Torino on August 23.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.

#watch

Well that is what we as Celtic supporters are currently experiencing with our tightfisted and incompetent board, and if history repeats itself, then those in charge at Celtic Football Club will have to face the music from a support that has already had enough of their extreme financial prudence and **** ding of cash that’s by and large put into the club by the fans.
Camilo Duran of Celtic Celtic v Middlesbrough, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Celtic Park, – 18 Jul y2026. Photo Phil Oldham IMAGO/Shutterstock
We’ve so far failed to add to the addition of Camilo Duran, although talks are ongoing with German side Paderborn over the transfer of midfielder Mika Baur, and a move has been made to snap up Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh.
Mika Baur of SC Paderborn reacts during the 2. Bundesliga match between SV 07 Elversberg and SC Paderborn 07 at Ursapharm-Arena on May 03, 2026 in Spiesen-Elversberg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Worryingly though, it appears that a snag has hit the Baur deal, with claims from Germany that Celtic and Paderborn are at loggerheads over the fee, with a mere £300,000 the sum the Celtic representatives are haggling over as they can’t resist a lowball attempt to shave something off the asking price at the eleventh hour.

#germany

Celtic striker Camilo Duran is hoping to see more supporters inside Parkhead when their Scottish Premiership defence begins next week.
Martin O'Neill's side kick off the new Premiership campaign at home to Dundee on Monday 3 August and Duran is hoping the fans will get behind the team for their season opener.
The striker was on the scoresheet in his first outing in Glasgow's East End as Celtic drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough in a pre-season friendly in front of a fraction of Parkhead's usual crowd.
But Duran seemed to enjoy his first taste of Parkhead.
"It was a great experience," he said.

#hoping #scottish

Former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest striker Britt ******* ombalonga has joined National League North side Harborough Town on an undisclosed contract.
The 33-year-old, who has spent much of his career playing in the Championship and League One, was released by League Two side Barnet at the end of last season.
Assombalonga, a former DR Congo international, who has also had spells at Watford, Peterborough and Turkish side Antalyaspor, has made 486 senior appearances, scoring 173 goals.
"With Britt moving locally, we had the opportunity to bring him in for pre-season and see whether he still had the bit between his teeth," said Bees boss Mitch Austin.
"I'm going to be on him because I want him to have a high-scoring season with us. We want to get the best out of him while making sure he enjoys his football."

#league #britt #former #want

Celtic’s new signing Camilo Duran poses for pictures at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan IMAGO/ Shutterstock
That review of course will never happen, until perhaps there is structural changes at Celtic but it is the least of our worries as we are just ten more sleeps away from Flag Day against Dundee with just Camilo Duran added to the squad.
And today we are likely to officially lose the services of talisman Daizen Maeda will is set to complete his £10m move to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town.
Camilo Duran scored in his two pre-season matches against Sporting CP and Middlesbrough and looks like the better late than never replacement for Kyogo who has played for both Rennes and Birmingham and then moved to Los Angeles Galaxy in the time that it took Celtic to officially unveil his replacement to the mainstream hacks.
Celtic’s new signing Camilo Duran speaks at a mainstream media press conference at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan IMAGO/ Shutterstock

#thursday #buchanan

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has been hit with a misconduct charge by the Football ******* ociation in connection with the 'Spygate' scandal that shook the Championship playoffs last season.
Southampton were thrown out of the playoffs back in May despite defeating Middlesbrough across two legs, after a staff member was caught covertly observing an opponent's training sessions.
The Saints were also handed a four-point deduction for the 2026-27 season, with Middlesbrough subsequently reinstated for the play-off final, which Hull City claimed 1-0 at Wembley.
Argentina World Cup Final red card rescinded, face potential FIFA disciplinary action
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments

#final #playoffs #season #Football

Southampton’s head coach Tonda Eckert has been charged by the Football ******* ociation over the 'Spygate' scandal.
Saints were thrown out of the Championship (second-tier) play-offs in May over the affair and docked four points for the coming season.
The club admitted spying on a training session held by play-off opponents Middlesbrough in May, and on sessions at Ipswich and Oxford earlier in the season.
On May 21, the FA confirmed it was investigating the matter, and on Wednesday it announced charges had been brought.

#play #season #association

Middlesbrough have won the race to sign England youth international striker Will Lankshear.
The 21-year-old had plenty of interest from clubs this summer but is Boro who have completed the signing of the player from Tottenham Hotspur with Lankshear penning a five-year deal with the club.
Reports suggest that the Championship side have paid an initial £10 million for the player which could rise by a further £10 million depending on add-ons.
"Middlesbrough is such a massive club over the years; I deem it to be a Premier League club," former Sheffield United youth product Lankshear said on his arrival.
"The project here really excites me. I can’t wait to get started and be part of the journey, and get this club back where it belongs."

#Youth #TOTTENHAM

Morgan Rogers' friendship with his new club-mate Cole Palmer goes back a long way - and actually inspired the latter's famous 'cold' goal celebration.
Palmer first performed it in December 2023, after scoring two goals in a 3-2 win at Luton, and he has since taken ownership of the celebration, registering a trademark for it with the UK Intellectual Property Office.
However, it was first meant as a tribute to Rogers, as he had performed the celebration after scoring a goal for Middlesbrough against West Brom.
It was after moving from his local club West Brom to Manchester City that Rogers first struck up a friendship with Palmer. Both were 16 years old and soon starred in attack for City's FA Youth Cup-winning under-18 side in 2020.
Palmer is not the only familiar face Rogers will encounter at Stamford Bridge though.

#west

Aston Villa have received a record fee after accepting a £117m offer for Morgan Rogers. Villa, however, are not the only club set to bank big money from Rogers' move to Chelsea, with former side Middlesbrough due another windfall.
Boro' are set to receive around £20m from Aston Villa after including a sell-on clause in the deal that took Rogers to Villa Park in 2023. Incredibly, the Championship side will have received around £30m for a player who cost just £1m and spent six months at the Riverside.
Hugo Ekitike never quite hit his stride at Paris Saint-Germain, with a superstar cast of talent restricting his minutes.
The Frenchman flourished after leaving Paris for Eintracht Frankfurt, where 22 goals in 48 games earned him a £69m move to Liverpool, and PSG a healthy chunk of it.
Despite being named as Chelsea's academy player of the year for the 2020/21 season, Tino Livramento quit the club that summer to sign for Southampton.

#move #player

Chelsea have completed the signing of England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a club-record deal reportedly worth £117m, reinforcing Xabi Alonso's squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 23-year-old has agreed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge after emerging as one of the Premier League's brightest attacking talents during his time at Villa. The fee surpasses the £115m Chelsea paid for Moisés Caicedo in 2023 and is also a record transfer for a British player.
Rogers leaves Villa after an outstanding 2025-26 campaign in which he helped the Midlands club win the Europa League, scoring and providing an ******* ist in the final against Freiburg. He also netted 10 Premier League goals and established himself as a regular in the England side, contributing an ******* ist during the Three Lions' run to the World Cup semi-finals this summer.
Chelsea fought off competition from ******* nal, who had identified Rogers as a priority transfer target, before moving swiftly to reach an agreement with Villa. The versatile attacker is expected to add creativity and goal threat to Alonso's side, with the Spaniard viewing him as a key part of his long-term project.
Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 and rapidly developed into one of England's most exciting young forwards under Unai Emery. His performances over the past two seasons significantly increased his market value, culminating in one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history.

#rogers #league

Southampton have completed the signing of attacker Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa for a fee of almost £9m.
The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Preston North End, where he scored 11 goals - with eight **** ists - in 41 Championship appearances.
Dobbin never made a senior appearance during his time at Villa after signing from Everton for £10m in 2024.
Saints beat off competition from a number of clubs, including Middlesbrough, for the forward's signature.
He has previously had loan spells at West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Norwich City.

The regional – and indeed national – sporting press was doing its best to catch up with the stunning news that Brian Clough had signed from local rivals Middlesbrough the previous day.
Alf Greenly, writing in the Sunday Sun, exclaimed that “the signing of Clough must go down as one of the best-kept secrets in soccer”.
Somehow, this deal had been struck in the goldfish bowl of the North East with seemingly watertight security. Not a whisper had escaped about a deal that had been at least a couple of weeks in the making.
Chairman Syd Collings made the announcement at the club’s annual general meeting the day before, triggering loud applause from the shareholders gathered.
Collings triumphantly declared to the AGM: “I know I am speaking on behalf of the board, and I am confident most supporters will agree when I say I would sooner see Sunderland in Division One with a heavy overdraft than in Division Two with a substantial credit balance.”

The Scottish press has dropped a massive development. Rangers are actively pursuing AEK Athens left-back James Penrice, reports Transfer Feed. The 27-year-old only left Hearts last summer in a £2 million deal, picking up a Greek Super League winner’s medal during his brief stint abroad. Yet, he wants out. He wants an immediate UK return, craving regular first-team minutes after a season spent largely as a rotation player. The lure of Glasgow is strong. Penrice completely prefers a lucrative proposal from Ibrox over competing interest from English Championship duo Middlesbrough and Blackburn.
It is an aggressive early move from the Ibrox hierarchy. They want local talent through the door quickly. During his single season in Greece, the defender featured 20 times in the league, starting 16 matches. His stat line reads zero goals, zero ***** ists, and seven yellow cards. Unspectacular, perhaps, but he helped AEK clinch the domestic ***** le. Now, he wants to be back home.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 19: James Penrice of Hearts looks dejected after the team’s 2-1 defeat after the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between Hearts and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on April 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The full-back position demands immediate tactical reinforcement. New manager Derek McInnes needs defensive steel, rapid recovery pace, and reliable width to challenge Celtic. Penrice offers proven Scottish Premiership experience. He won individual player of the year accolades at Tynecastle before moving to Greece. His deep familiarity with the local game gives him an immediate psychological advantage. He won’t need an adaptation period. He handles away-ground hostility well.
The tactical fit, however, raises questions. McInnes prefers a direct, high-pressing defensive unit that relies heavily on physical aerial duels. Penrice is a different profile. He thrives in possession-heavy structures. His Greek stint showed his technical ability to dictate tempo from deep positions. Scottish football requires raw physical dominance in the defensive third. It is a genuine tactical dilemma.

Aston Villa forward Lewis Dobbin is close to a move to Southampton for almost £9m.
The Saints have beaten a number of Championship clubs, including Middlesbrough, to the 23-year-old.
Dobbin has never played for Villa since a £10m move from Everton in 2024 and spent last season on loan at Preston.
He scored 11 times in 41 appearances for North End while he also had loan spells at West Brom and Norwich.
Dobbin joined Villa two years ago as midfielder Tim Iroegbunam moved to the Toffees in a separate deal as the clubs looked to comply with Profit and Sustainability regulations.

Preston North End have made an ambitious attempt to sign the versatile Northern Ireland international Justin Devenny from Crystal Palace, though the 22-year-old is also admired by Leicester City and Southampton. (Lancashire Post)
Wolves have reportedly identified Aston Villa attacker Lewis Dobbin, 23, as a potential summer transfer target, with Middlesbrough and Southampton also linked with the English former Preston loanee. (Lancashire Post)
For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.

Although managing director Lawrie McMenemy was quoted on this day as saying "the transfer market is dead" there was still plenty of other activity going on at Roker Park, and whilst the playing staff wasn't about to be added to there was the arrival of a key member of back-room staff on the 7th of July instead.
Geoff Storey told Echo readers that the club were expecting Manchester City to follow up their interest in Barry Venison with a part exchange offer featuring two of their players, although it was ******* umed that McMenemy would prefer the cash only offer that was being mooted by Sheffield Wednesday. Howard Wilkinson's ******* istant Peter Eustace, a former Sunderland coach, had been in touch with McMenemy already seemingly but the move had now come to a standstill, with a snag in another deal the Owls were working on meaning their approach for Venison was being held up.
Sunderland could have done with some money in order to fund their own squad regeneration, prompting McMenemy to lament "There is just no movement anywhere and I think it is a sign of the time when even players on free transfers are finding it difficult to get fixed up." He was though able to confirm the arrival of new club physio Steve Smelt, who had that morning officially started work on Wearside ahead of the first team returning for preseason training the next day.
Smelt, a former school teacher and a qualified physio of five years, had just left his post at cash strapped Middlesbrough. Although Newcastle Breweries were rumoured to be working on a bid that would save them the Ayresome Park club were in serious danger of going bust and were happy to shed as many costs as they could in the meantime, freeing the 36 year old to move north and replace the outgoing Jimmy Goodfellow, who was returning to Wales to work with Frank Burrows at Cardiff City.
Burrows, who earlier had himself been part of McMenemy's staff, was following in the footsteps of a couple of familiar names. Former Sunderland bosses Alan Durban and Len Ashurst had both been in charge at Ninian Park during the decade, with Goodfellow having also had a stint as boss before this invite to return, which was very timely indeed as it meant he no longer had to move his family out from the capital. The County Durham native had only been at Roker for seven months since succeeding Steve Mason in December 1985 and had previously played for McMenemy at Bishop Auckland.

Everton have signed winger Tyrique George from Chelsea for an initial £18m.
The England Under-21 international, whose fee could rise to £24m including add-ons, has signed a four-year deal at Hill ***** inson Stadium after impressing David Moyes during a loan spell on Merseyside last season.
George becomes Moyes’ second summer buy, following Hayden Hackney’s arrival from Middlesbrough, while Merlin Rohl’s loan from Freiburg was always going to be converted into a permanent deal.
George only started one league game during his loan stint with Everton and the Merseyside club chose not to take up their option to buy him for £25m, but instead entered into negotiations to buy him for a lower starting price.
And while George was mainly used as a substitute last season, he made it clear his preference was to join Everton on a long-term basis.

The transfer window for Premier League, English Football League, Scottish Premiership and Women's Super League clubs - and their counterparts in Germany, France, Spain and Italy - re-opened on 15 June.
Take a look at all the confirmed deals for July, and read the latest rumours in Football Gossip.
English Football League
Dan Barlaser [Middlesbrough - MK Dons] Free
Matthew Dennis [Notts County - Burton] Undisclosed

Good luck figuring out Everton’s transfer strategy right now. Just hours after wrapping up a £21 million (€25m) deal for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney on Thursday, the Goodison Park hierarchy has been on the phone to Italy. The target? Mandela Keita.
According to Italian outlet Sport Parma, via Sport Witness, initial inquiries have already been made. But don’t expect a quick resolution. This one is messy. Parma want €30 million for the 24-year-old Belgian international, though word from inside the peninsula suggests they will shake hands on €25 million plus add-ons.
Everton, predictably, cannot pay that upfront.
Hamstrung by the Premier League’s strict Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) alongside Squad Cost Rules (SCR), the Merseyside club have reportedly asked for a multi-year payment schedule. They want to drip-feed the cash. Parma aren’t biting yet, especially with Atalanta hovering in the background. They have money to burn after shipping Marco Palestra off to Chelsea for a cool €57 million, with more cash on the way for Ederson. Worse still for the Toffees, Atalanta have already sorted personal terms with Keita. Contract duration, wages, all agreed.
The player is just waiting to see who blinks first.

A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenager who went missing 28 years ago.
Donna Keogh, 17, was last seen in Middlesbrough on 28 April 1998 and is known to have travelled to Leeds during that year. Detectives said it was "strongly suspected" she was murdered shortly after she disappeared.
A 62-year-old man was arrested in the Manchester area and would be interviewed in police custody, Cleveland Police said.
Earlier this year, officers arrested a 64-year-old man from the Leeds area, also on suspicion of murder. He remained on bail while the investigation continued, police said.
Her body has never been found despite a decades-long investigation.

Yakubu Ayegbeni has backed Hayden Hackney to be a success after completing his transfer to Everton.
Hackney has penned a five-year deal with the Blues and becomes Everton's first summer signing, arriving from Championship side Middlesbrough for a £16.5m fee.
The 24-year-old scored five goals and added seven ***** ists last season, earning the second-tier's Player of the Season award as 'Boro narrowly missed out on promotion.
Yakubu, who moved from Middlesbrough to Everton in 2007, is confident Hackney has what it takes to thrive in the Premier League.
"I think he can do well. I think he can do very well. The way he plays, the style, the way he does things on the pitch. Moysey loves that kind of player, he’ll fit into the team," Yakubu told ToffeeWeb in our upcoming Once a Blue episode.

Everton have announced the signing of English midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough. Everton manager David Moyes identified the 24-year-old as one of those he wants at the Hill **** inson Stadium club, and he has signed a five-year contract with the Toffees. Hackney was one of the best players in the Championship last term and is now ready to prove himself in the Premier League with the Blues. The Boro academy graduate made 137 appearances in the division and is aware that hitting the ground running in the top-flight will not be a piece of cake.
Hackney is hoping to break into the Everton starting XI but he knows that moving to the top of Moyes’ pecking order ahead of his current options in the position could prove tricky. He knows the competition ahead of him and has showered praise on the midfielders.
“It feels like signing for Everton is ideal timing,” Hackney said during his official unveiling.
“I feel that last season really developed me more as a player in all aspects of my game.
“Obviously, I thank Middlesbrough for the time that I was there, which was unbelievable, but now I feel ready and feel it’s time to make the change and I’m really looking forward to it.

Everton have confirmed the signing of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Merseyside club after an impressive season in the Championship last year.
Although Middlesbrough lost the play-off final 1-0 to Hull City, Hackney was named the Championship player of the year. He will now get his chance to play in the Premier League.
“I’m delighted to be here,” the midfielder said. “As soon as I spoke to the manager, as soon as I knew Everton were interested, to be honest, it was always going to be Everton. It’s such a big club, with the new stadium and the direction it’s going in. I just wanted to be part of that.
“The manager’s track record of bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League was a massive part of my decision as well. Hopefully I can be the next one to do it successfully for Everton.

Hayden Hackney is a Middlesbrough man no more.
The 24-year-old midfielder progressed through Boro's youth ranks to become a key player for the side but has now departed for the Premier League with Everton.
Were you expecting him to go or did you think Boro could keep hold of him after coming so close to promotion last season?
Will Boro struggle without their midfield maestro?
Who would you like to see replace him?

Everton have signed midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for a fee of at least £16m.
The 24-year-old had one year left on his contract with Boro and leaves the club he joined at Under-10 level after they missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season.
Hackney, the 2025-26 Championship player of the season, helped Middlesbrough reach the play-off final in May, which they lost 1-0 to Hull City.
"I'm delighted to be here," said Hackney, who has joined Everton on a five-year deal.
"As soon as I spoke to the manager [David Moyes], as soon as I knew Everton were interested, to be honest, it was always going to be Everton.

"It was always going to be Everton," says Hayden Hackney after signing a five-year contract with the Blues.
The 24-year-old central midfielder, who was named the 2026-26 Championship Player of the Season for Middlesbrough, is David Moyes' first signing of the summer.
"I'm delighted to be here," said Hackney. "As soon as I spoke to the manager, as soon as I knew Everton were interested, to be honest, it was always going to be Everton.
"It's such a big club, with the new stadium and the direction it's going in. I just wanted to be part of that.
"The manager's track record of bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League was a massive part of my decision as well. Hopefully I can be the next one to do it successfully for Everton.