Lens centre-back Ismaëlo Ganiou has signed a contract extension with the Coupe de France champions, keeping him at the club until 2030. The 21-year-old's deal was due to expire in two seasons' time.
The announcement was made in the build-up to a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon whichh saw them host Premier League outfit Sunderland.
Ganiou, who was not named on the team sheet for the match, entered the pitch after the warm-ups to make the announcement, which was met with celebrations from the unsuspecting Sang et or supporters. He then posed for a picture alongside the club's former midfielder Gaël Kakuta, who took the ceremonial kick-off for the match, as well as directors Benjamin Parrott and Jean-Louis Leca.
According to L'Équipe, the French youth international was a transfer target of both Milan and Crystal Palace, the latter club now being managed by former Lens head coach Pierre Sage.
Ganiou made 29 appearances last season under Sage as the Artois outfit finished second in the league and won the Coupe de France. Under new head coach Dino Toppmöller, the defender is expected to remain an integral part of the Lens lineup as the team returns to the Champions League after a three-year absence.

#ganiou

Recapping all the Everton news from yesterday
Everton have completed the signing of Christian Nørgaard from ***** nal for an undisclosed fee. [Royal Blue Mersey]
The latest gallery as the Toffees sharpen up in Germany. [Everton FC]
With Chelsea's Liam Delap commanding a £40million price tag, Troy Parrott of AZ Alkmaar has been earmarked as a potential alternative for Everton. [Liverpool Echo]
Everton could be willing to sell Tyler Dibling if they can get a new winger through the door this summer. [Football Insider]

#royal #blue #germany #liam

West Ham are negotiating a deal with Tottenham for Israeli winger Manor Solomon, 27, who spent last season on loan at Villarreal and Fiorentina. (The Athletic - subscription required)
The Hammers are also interested in former Spurs striker Troy Parrott, 24, after the Republic of Ireland international scored 16 league goals in 28 games for Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar last season. (Sky Sports)
West Ham have had a second bid for versatile Belgian Arne Engels, 22, rejected by Scottish giants Celtic. (Florian Plettenberg, Sky Sports Germany)
For more EFL transfer rumours, read Tuesday's full gossip column here.
Don't forget to tap the 'follow' ******* on at the top of this page to stay up to date with your club's latest news.

#sports #villarreal

West Ham United have thrown themselves into the race for Troy Parrott after identifying the AZ Alkmaar striker as a leading solution to their attacking problems. Claret & Hugh, quoting respected journalist Alan Nixon, reports that the Championship club are prepared to pay more than £20 million to complete the deal rather than trying to negotiate a reduced fee.
That stance separates West Ham from several interested clubs. AZ Alkmaar have stayed firm on their valuation, and the Hammers appear willing to match it if negotiations progress. Tottenham Hotspur would collect another financial benefit from the transfer after selling Parrott to the Dutch side in 2024, making this a move with consequences beyond East London.
Recruitment work continues elsewhere. Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor remains on West Ham's shortlist, while discussions over a Ligue 1 forward have reportedly reached an advanced stage. Even so, Parrott has climbed near the top of the club's wish list after a disappointing pre-season in front of goal.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – NOVEMBER 16: Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at on November 16, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Few forwards across Europe improved their reputation more than Parrott last season. The Republic of Ireland international struck 16 Eredivisie goals and supplied five ******* ists in 28 league appearances during the 2025/26 campaign. Across all competitions, he delivered 30 goals, helping AZ Alkmaar lift the KNVB Cup while establishing himself as one of Dutch football's standout finishers.

#parrott #west #republic

AZ striker Troy Parrott is reportedly being tracked by several European clubs, as well as Eredivisie champions PSV.
After a brilliant personal season in Alkmaar, the Irish international scored 31 goals and registered 10 ****** ists in all competitions last term – not to mention 16 goals in 28 Eredivisie games, and 10 goals in 15 Europa Conference League outings.
As per journalist Ben Jacobs, Parrott is being watched by Real Betis in La Liga and Como in Serie A. PSV are also said to have inquired about Parrott, but the amount AZ is demanding appears to be higher than the Philips Stadion residents will pay.
Jacobs has also mentioned Ajax, but Tolu Arokodare's signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers has taken them out of the running. The 24-year-old Parrott is under contract in Alkmaar until 2029, and AZ hopes to receive a large fee.
The club had hoped for a record fee in January. The current record is held by Tijjani Reijnders, who moved to AC Milan for nearly 25 million euros.

#record

Max Parrott, **** ytical football journalist
The stifling July heat in New Jersey made for a deeply unnatural habitat for Andreas Schjelderup, but became irrelevant when Erling Haaland headed home his cross to break the deadlock against five-time World Cup winners Brazil.
Haaland struck again 11 minutes later, drilling a low shot from outside the box to seal a 2-1 victory that send Carlo Ancelotti’s team packing and Norway through to a first ever quarter-final against England.
This World Cup tournament has largely been defined by the sheer dominance of Haaland. Level on seven goals with Kylian Mbappé and joint-second in the scoring chart, the Manchester City striker is now – if he wasn’t already – a national icon.
For a nation of just 5.6 million people that hadn’t qualified for a World Cup in 28 years, getting past Brazil was unthinkable. How did it come to be and how much further can they really go?

World Cup co-hosts Canada were held to a 1-1 draw by the Republic of Ireland in Montreal after Chiedozie Ogbene equalized from a rebound.
Ogbene reacted quickest to slot home after Troy Parrott's penalty was saved, cancelling out Canada's first-half opener.
Canada went ahead midway through the first half when a corner was flicked on by Parrott and found the Irish net via the unfortunate Jake O'Brien.
O'Brien made amends with a good block to deny Hull's Liam Millar as the hosts threatened to stretch their lead before the interval.
Ireland were given a route back into the match just before the hour when Jamie McGrath was caught by a high foot in the box by Cyle Larin.