“I would imagine that he’s probably at this minute doing the medical. Naturally disappointed, really, that he’s leaving the football club, he’s done very well for us.
“And it’s hard to dissuade him of that. If it hadn’t come up, I think he’d have been happy. Even though the offer came in very late from Nottingham Forest in January, he never moaned about it at all.
“So it’s an opportunity for him and it’s really hard for him to turn it down.”
O’Neill understood why Engels was keen to complete the transfer, especially after Canada right-back Alistair Johnston suffered a leg muscle injury amid interest from Everton.
“Ideally, I’d love him to have stayed and maybe completed after the two games,” the 74-year-old, who is fully back to work after a medical procedure last week, said.
“It probably wasn’t going to happen. You’ve got a concern, I suppose, with the fact that Alistair played for us when there was an offer on the table, hurt himself, maybe things like that there may disappear.
“I suppose Arne was probably worried the same sort of thing might happen. From a playing viewpoint, I probably can understand that.”
Johnston went off at half-time in Celtic’s 5-1 win at Kilmarnock on Sunday.
“He’ll be out for a few weeks,” O’Neill said. “By the time he’s fit, he’ll be past the transfer deadline. He’s been very stoic about it, really.
“It’s a shame for him, but it’s not long-term. It’s something that he’ll get over and he’ll be back.”
Celtic signed Egypt winger Haissem Hassan and Germany Under-21 midfielder Mika Baur this week and O’Neill expects further arrivals.
One could be Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo as a loan back-up to Kieran Tierney after the 18-year-old was given a tour of Celtic’s Lennoxtown training centre this week.
“I think he’s a really fine young player,” O’Neill added. “Obviously we need that position covered. Kieran did exceptionally well last season, having been plagued with injuries at Arsenal. He came roaring back, which was great.
“And this young man has definitely got talent. He’s got a bit of an injury at the moment. We’re hoping that that will clear up shortly. And, if it does, and I think it will, I’d love to have him.”
Having scored an extra-time winner against Argentina to help Spain claim their second men’s World Cup this summer, Torres’ stock has risen considerably after a strong season with Barcelona.
Torres scored 21 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions, providing three assists, and helped Barcelona win the La Liga title.
PSG, managed by former Barcelona coach and player Luis Enrique, have won the Champions League in the past two seasons.
The Parisians could lose Bradley Barcola this summer, with the forward wanted by Liverpool.
Should the deal go through, Torres will be the second high-profile forward PSG have signed this summer after the arrival of Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco.
PSG added to their silverware collection on Wednesday by beating Aston Villa 2-1 to win the Uefa Super Cup.
Torres has been at Barcelona since 2022 having previously spent two years at Manchester City.
He has scored 25 goals in 65 appearances for Spain.
Atletico Madrid have agreed a £34.2m (40m euros) fee to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham.
The 28-year-old is set to become Atletico’s fourth signing of the summer, while Spurs will also retain a 15 per cent sell-on clause as part of the deal.
Argentina international Romero was the subject of interest from Premier League champions Arsenal in recent days, but Tottenham did not want to sell their captain to their north London rivals.
He leaves Tottenham after five seasons, having made 156 appearances for them, scoring 13 times, following an initial campaign on loan from Atalanta in 2021.
The centre-back played for Argentina during their run to the World Cup final this summer, missing just one game.
Romero was scheduled to return to pre-season with Spurs in the coming week after being given extra time off following the tournament in North America.
He captained the side last season as Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League.
Having signed permanently from Atalanta in a £42.5m deal, Romero became a key figure in their defence.
The news will be a blow to Spurs fans who are also set to lose Djed Spence to Inter Milan, who are in advanced talks to sign the England full-back in a £25.6m (30m euros) deal.
With the additions of midfielders Kang-in Lee and Morten Hjulmand and left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, Atletico are set to take their transfer spending over £100m this summer should they complete the Romero deal.
Head coach Diego Simeone is aiming to strengthen his squad after they finished fourth in La Liga last season, with Villarreal beating them to third place.
“The love I got from the fans was amazing so the only thing I can give back to them is goals, assists and a good performance so that’s what I will try to do.
“Of course, you can’t score or give an assist every game but what I can do is give 100% for the badge, for the club and for the fans.”
Hamer, who played in the Premier League with the Blades in 2023-24, scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists in 123 games in all competitions for the Yorkshire club.
Before playing in England, Hamer, a former Netherlands youth international, played for Feyenoord and PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie.
The 26-year-old Brazil international had been linked with a move to English champions Arsenal.
Published On 6 Aug 20266 Aug 2026
Real Madrid have secured the future of Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr, extending his contract until June 2032, the Spanish giants announced, bringing an end to months of speculation over his future.
The 26-year-old Brazil international has been a central figure in Real’s attack in recent seasons and had been linked with a move to English champions Arsenal.
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His previous contract was due to expire in June 2027.
“Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr have agreed to extend our player’s contract, which now keeps him with the club through June 30, 2032,” Real said in a statement on Thursday.
“Vinicius has become one of the most important players during one of the most successful periods in our history.”
Since joining from Brazilian club Flamengo in 2018, Vinicius has scored 128 goals and registered 100 assists for Real.
Spanish and British media had reported prolonged contract negotiations between the player and the club, while Arsenal were said to be monitoring the situation and exploring a potential move.
The extension removes the prospect of Real losing one of their most valuable players on a free transfer.
Vinicius also had a demanding summer with Brazil at the World Cup, where they were eliminated by Norway in the last 16.
The forward has built an impressive trophy collection during his time in Madrid, winning two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns among numerous other honours.
He is set to work under Jose Mourinho for the first time after the Portuguese coach returned for a second spell in charge at Real in June.
The appointment followed a disappointing campaign for the record 15-time European champions, who finished runners-up to archrivals Barcelona in La Liga, exited the Champions League in the quarterfinals and ended the season without a major trophy.
Tying down Vinicius represents another significant step in an active transfer window for Real.
The club have also strengthened their squad with the arrivals of winger Yan Diomande, midfielder Bernardo Silva, centre-back Ibrahima Konate, left-back Marc Cucurella and wing-back Denzel Dumfries ahead of the new season.
Fulham have signed Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid on five-year deals.
Garcia, 22, made 39 appearances for the Spanish giants last term, scoring eight goals in all competitions.
The forward, who won his first cap for Spain in June, will reunite with new Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa, for a reported fee of around £34m, with the pair having worked together at the Bernabeu.
“I’m very grateful, very happy to be here,” Garcia said.
“I have to thank the board and Arbeloa for the trust they’ve put in me, and I’m very, very excited to start.”
The highly rated striker, joint-top scorer at the Club World Cup last summer, will be joined at Craven Cottage by former Real team-mate Palacios.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder also arrives on a contract that runs until the summer of 2031, although the club has the option to extend the agreements for both players by a further 12 months.
Palacios made five appearances for Real’s senior side – all from the substitutes bench – and has played for Spain at under-20 level.
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Danny Welbeck while Jordan Henderson is set to cancel his Brentford contract to enable a move to Stamford Bridge.
Henderson, 36, is under contract until 2027. Welbeck, 35, has agreed a two-year deal and been given permission by Brighton to conduct a medical at Stamford Bridge.
A fee for the striker has also been agreed but remains undisclosed as Chelsea tie up the deal for him to join pre-season in Hong Kong after Chelsea‘s final match in Australia against Tottenham on Saturday evening.
Welbeck will become the oldest signing under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership, until Henderson’s likely arrival with the west Londoners.
It is part of new manager Xabi Alonso’s drive to add experience to Chelsea‘s squad, which has been the youngest in the Premier League for the past two seasons.
Their focus on youth has been viewed as a factor in their inability to challenge consistently for major honours.
Towards the end of last season’s disappointing campaign, when they finished 10th and won nothing, Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali said their recruitment model needed a “tweak”.
Since then, Chelsea have made an offer to reunite Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, 34, with Alonso – they won the Bundesliga title together at Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.
They have also signed 26-year-old centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace on a six-year contract, pending an official announcement, while talks continue over Henderson.
Morgan Rogers, who signed for a club-record £117m from Aston Villa earlier this month, is relatively experienced, despite having just turned 24.
The club have also signed 21-year-old full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta.
Welbeck, formerly of Manchester United and Arsenal, has hit 90 goals in 400 top-flight appearances – and is the leading Premier League scorer at Brighton, who he joined on a free transfer from Watford in 2021.
His arrival would leave Chelsea with six senior strikers on their books, with others available for loan or sale.
Among those who could leave on either a permanent deal or loan are Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu.
The Blues have also brought in Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha from sister club Strasbourg this summer and he could remain part of the squad.
Henderson, meanwhile, would add further experience and seniority to the squad, having been selected by Thomas Tuchel as part of England’s leadership group at this summer’s World Cup.
It was during the celebrations following England’s last-16 victory over Mexico that Henderson fractured his arm and wrist after landing awkwardly while jumping over an advertising hoarding.
Henderson joined Brentford last summer after spells abroad with Dutch side Ajax and Saudi club Al Ettifaq. That followed a hugely successful spell at Liverpool, where he won six major honours, including the Champions League and Premier League.
He joins a midfield that includes Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco – who is expected to join from Strasbourg – pending an official announcement.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has been determined to bolster his wing-back options following Issa Kabore’s return to parent club Manchester City after his loan spell at the Stok Cae Ras last term.
Imray is yet to make a senior appearance for Palace, although he has gained plenty of experience at first-team level elsewhere.
Imray was immediately loaned back to Chelmsford City after securing a permanent switch to Selhurst Park in 2021.
He made 43 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals, during a season-long loan spell with Bromley in 2024-25.
Imray then spent the opening half of the 2025-26 campaign on loan at League One side Blackpool before joining Championship West Brom in January.
Having made 13 first-team signings last summer on the back of securing automatic promotion from League One, Parkinson will not be making wholesale changes to his squad before the 2026-27 campaign.
However, a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a central midfielder and a forward are all potential additions alongside Imray.
In his first news conference since succeeding Pep Guardiola last month, Marseca found himself fielding questions about the Catalan, who won 20 trophies in his 10 years at the club.
The 46-year-old knows only too well the tough act he has to follow having worked as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 Treble winning season.
“I want to say it is a privilege because it’s the reason why the club decided to go for me, that is a privilege,” he said.
“I have said many times, I consider Pep the best coach in the world in the last 20-25 years. It is a challenge [to replace him].”
Maresca, who called time on his time at Chelsea in January after 18 months, acknowledged the challenge of arriving at a club who have had just three managers in 16 years.
“That is not normal and has not happened often,” he said. “I am confident that we can continue to do a great job and continue to do the job that has been done in the last 14, 15 years since Roberto Mancini was here.
“I know the organisation quite well and the people inside the club from years ago. The structure understands to give time for everything.
“Since Manchester City contacted me, I had no doubt about joining this fantastic club.”
Maresca hinted that there were “a few things to do” in the transfer window but would not be drawn on the futures of players including goalkeeper James Trafford, who has been linked with a move away from the club, and returning midfielder Jack Grealish, who spent last season on loan at Everton but is back in training with City.
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola wants midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and goalkeeper Alisson to remain at the club.
Argentina international Mac Allister has two years left on the five-year contract he signed at Liverpool when he joined the Reds in 2023.
The 27-year-old has yet to begin talks over a new deal, which has prompted speculation he could leave Anfield this summer.
However, Iraola told a news conference in Chicago at the beginning of Liverpool‘s pre-season tour of the United States that he wants to hang on to the player.
“I think Alexis has been one of the best players at the club for the last few years, and he has had a very good World Cup, so it is normal that other clubs want our best players,” Iraola said.
“It always happens in other markets. But I want to keep my good players. I’m looking forward more to signing new players rather than losing the ones we have here.”
Alisson has a year left on his contract at Anfield and has been linked with a move to Juventus, but Iraola is keen to bank on the 33-year-old Brazilian’s experience in the forthcoming season.
“I’m very happy with the situation we have right now in the goalkeeping area,” explained the Reds boss.
“Alisson is someone also in a changing room that has lost some references in terms of experience, I think he’s someone that definitely will help us in this process of adaptation of the new signings, of the new players, the young players.
“We need the references like Virgil [van Dijk], like Alisson, like Joe Gomez, players that have been here for a long time.”
Iraola acknowledged he has one eye on bringing in defensive reinforcements during the summer transfer window, particularly at right-back given Conor Bradley is “months” away from playing.
The Northern Ireland international sustained a knee injury in January and will not be available for the start of the season.
“At the end, if you have a fully fit, healthy Conor Bradley, we are very happy, ready to go and we would not be asking ourselves these questions,” explained the Spaniard.
“I think it’s a situation that is tricky, because we trust Conor in the long term, we know we want him to be our right-back but right now he is still, I would say, a little bit far from returning.
“So, with the centre-back, with the right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth, we are, I think, very thin right now so I think it’s a solution that we are trying to find, yes.”
It was just a few weeks ago that the club lost out on another top target, Victor Munoz, who opted to join Liverpool.
Talent identification is clearly not the issue.
Newcastle have targeted Manzambi, Munoz, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko and James Trafford in the last 12 months.
But losing out to Aston Villa for a top target would be another real setback in the transfer market for Newcastle.
If Newcastle miss out, the big question is can the club discreetly pivot to another promising target, as they did with Bazoumana Toure after Munoz went elsewhere?
On one hand, there is plenty of time left in the window to do just that and strengthen other areas of the side.
On the other, there is a lot of work to do and little margin for any further knockbacks.
The sight of those players not involved at the World Cup returning for pre-season training on Monday was a timely reminder of that.
Arsenal have signed Spain international Ona Batlle on a free transfer following her exit from Barcelona.
It is understood that Batlle has joined on a four-year deal, with an option to extend for a further year.
The 27-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world, left Barcelona after helping them win the Champions League in May.
During her three-year spell in Spain, Batlle made 114 appearances as Barcelona won three successive league titles and two European cups.
Batlle also started their Champions League final defeat by Arsenal in 2025.
“Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I can’t wait to feel the joy of playing in front of our supporters at Emirates Stadium alongside so many great players,” said Batlle.
“I want to win trophies and I feel this is the right place to achieve that.”
Batlle graduated from Barcelona’s academy before making her senior debut for Madrid CFF in 2017.
She gained regular first-team football at fellow Spanish top-flight side Levante before joining Manchester United in 2020.
The defender went on to make 77 appearances for United before returning to Barcelona as an established Spain international.
Batlle has played 76 times for Spain and was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2023 and finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.
She was named in the Fifa Best XI in 2024 and 2025 and it is believed she signed a pre-contract agreement to join Arsenal earlier this year.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring Ona to the club,” said Arsenal manager Renee Slegers.
“She’s a hugely experienced full-back with strong attacking intent and great physical attributes. She’s a winner and we want to go for more wins together.”
Arsenal’s director of women’s football Clare Wheatley said: “Ona’s track record at both club and international level speaks for itself.
“She’s a proven winner with a hunger to add more trophies. We’re delighted to bring one of the best defenders in the world to Arsenal.”
London City Lionesses have signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas on a three-year deal in one of the biggest scoops in women’s football history.
Spain midfielder Putellas, widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest players, left Barcelona after 14 years in May and attracted interest from almost every top club in the world.
The 32-year-old won 38 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 league titles.
She was unveiled in New York City alongside London City’s US billionaire owner Michele Kang.
“I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with London City Lionesses,” said Putellas.
“The club’s ambition and its steadfast commitment to growing as a women-only independent club resonate deeply with me.
“I look forward to making an impact on the pitch as we challenge for titles.
“Off the pitch, building on my passion for youth development, I am equally excited to work with Michele in elevating women’s football in England and on the global stage.”
Putellas captained Barcelona to a fourth Champions League title in her final season, while London City finished sixth in their debut Women’s Super League campaign.
It is a remarkable feat for London City to have persuaded Putellas to join as they continue to show lofty ambitions.
BBC Sport reported last month that Putellas chose London City over Boston Legacy, the final two clubs vying for her signature.
“Alexia Putellas embodies the pinnacle of talent, dedication and vision in women’s football,” said Kang.
“Her decision to join our independent, women-first club is a powerful endorsement of what we are building.
“This is more than a signing. It is a bold statement about the future of the sport.”
Putellas scored a club record 232 goals in 507 appearances for Barcelona, and is second on their all-time appearance list.
She won the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the side beaten by England in the Euro 2025 final.
Putellas was ruled out of Euro 2022 on the eve of the tournament with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and returned at the end of the following season.
Following her return to full fitness, Putellas showed the types of performances that earned her back-to-back Ballons d’Or in 2021 and 2022.
She joins on a free transfer, having allowed her Barcelona contract to run out, and is believed to be London City’s highest-paid player.
The rapid winger certainly tried to make things happen at Hoffenheim, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League last season.
Of the forwards playing in the Bundesliga in 2025-26, Toure ranked first for successful crosses (39), joint-second for assists (nine), joint-third for dribbles completed (48) and fourth for chances created (45) and big chances created (11).
However, he is far from a maverick.
“You see his qualities with the ball, his speed and his hard work,” Besara said. “But the thing that amazed me was he could take directions from the coaches and the players, and do it directly on the pitch.
“I remember previously he had scored some goals for Hammarby, but he had not scored a header at the time.
“The day before a game, our coach [Kim Hellberg] said, ‘Bazou, I want you to go to the first post and head the ball’. He went on to score two headers in that game.
“He’s really adaptable at taking tactical advice.”
Toure’s ability to quickly process information has been key to the improvements he has made out of possession, too.
Toure came out on top in 152 duels and won the ball back 127 times in his final league campaign at Hoffenheim.
The Premier League is another step up, though.
Toure is still raw and needs to work on various areas of his game, including his finishing.
He will also need time to adjust to the league’s physicality and intensity, and the system Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe uses.
But the winger will be able to fall back on recent experience after repeatedly adapting to new environments over the years.
“I know he will be really successful,” Besara said. “Mark my words.”
The high school football season is more than a month away, but fans seeking an early preview of teams with top quarterbacks, top receivers and top defensive backs have come to appreciate the annual Edison Battle at the Beach seven-on-seven passing tournament that is taking place on Saturday.
It’s the unofficial kickoff to teams getting serious because so many quality teams compete from 9 a.m. through the early afternoon in Huntington Beach, with food, music and lots of banter among parents. You know how much players like to rise up against players with better “star” rankings than them, and this is the tournament to see it play out.
It’s not about wins and losses — it’s about players testing themselves against great competition. This tournament has built credibility by showcasing teams competing at a high level, then shaking hands afterward.
Schedule for Edison passing tournament on July 11. My official start to high school football season. It’s that entertaining. pic.twitter.com/RsoSfcoCCy
Mission Viejo has won the last two tournaments at Edison, but the Diablos are spending the summer trying to figure out who will start at quarterback. Sophomore Brett Burnor and senior Nash McElree, a transfer from Texas, are competing. Could coach Chad Johnson really alternate quarterbacks like he did two years ago with Luke Fahey and Drai Trudeau?
“You never know,” he said.
The Trinity League is represented by St. John Bosco, Santa Margarita, Orange Lutheran, JSerra and Servite. Corona Centennial and its new quarterback, Jaden Jefferson, a transfer from L.A. Cathedral, is entered, along with San Diego’s likely No. 1 team, Cathedral Catholic, which boasts the No. 1 player in the state in USC commit Honor Fa’alave-Johnson. His appearance alone should attract plenty of Trojans fans, particularly for the 10:30 a.m. game against the likely No. 1 team in California, St. John Bosco.
Palos Verdes has four-year starter Ryan Rakowski at quarterback and standout defensive back Jalen Flowers. Rancho Cucamonga gets to show off many of its top skill-position players.
One interesting trend is that this tournament will feature some very good tight ends, a position that has become increasingly important in college football and the NFL but not so much in high school football in the era of spread offenses.
Mission Viejo’s Johnson said he has three tight ends with college offers, another rarity. He could join the Rams with his three-tight-end formation. He intends to use them against defenses that use odd-number fronts this fall. One of his most improved players is tight end Luke Karby, a Duke commit. Another is Arizona commit Max Markofski, who is 6 feet 4 and 228 pounds. Santa Margarita has tight end Luke Gazzaniga, a Kansas commit. Jaylin Smalls of Rancho Cucamonga is 6-4, 230 pounds and moving up recruiting boards.
July 11. Hayden Koo of Tustin vs. Bosco defensive backs at Edison. Bring the cameras. Let’s see who wins the battle. https://t.co/hthFjAJYgZ
This is the first opportunity for early clues as to how first-year coaches are doing at JSerra, Los Alamitos, Servite, Orange Lutheran, Long Beach Poly and Oaks Christian.
One of the always-interesting scenes is Edison coach Jeff Grady refusing to take the easy road when making the bracket, so he scheduled his team to open up against St. John Bosco at 9 a.m., perhaps hoping the Braves show up a little sleepy. Running back Maliq Allen has returned to the Braves after spending the spring at Inglewood.
Ocean View also is hosting a 32-team passing tournament in Huntington Beach on Saturday. San Clemente, San Juan Hills, Huntington Beach, Downey and Carson are the teams to watch.
Fearsome duo
Long Beach Poly might have the most decorated cornerback duo in JuJu Johnson, a UCLA commit, and Donte Wright, a Miami commit. Just watching them cover receivers on Saturday at Edison should be a highlight in itself. Johnson was injured last season, but few have raised their profile in the offseason more than him.
Poly is in Pool C and the duo gets to take on receivers from Capistrano Valley, San Diego Lincoln, Servite and Santa Margarita.
King/Drew fearing no one
King/Drew players participating in the Simi Valley tournament.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
This has been a fruitful summer for King/Drew of the City Section. The Golden Eagles have been driving around willing to play seven-on-seven against top Southern Section opponents, including visits to West Hills and Simi Valley.
It’s the same strategy Carson and Birmingham have taken to prepare for City Section play during the regular season. If you can compete with Southern Section teams, then you’ll do just fine against City Section opponents.
Makeo Smith, a 6-4, 265-pound sophomore lineman, figures to receive lots of attention after contributing as a freshman.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a ceremony at the Navy’s 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, 29 June 2026, to mark the 24th anniversary of an inter-Korean naval battle on the seas off South Korea’s northern Yeonpyeong Island. Six South Korean seamen were killed and 19 others injured in the 2002 skirmish, called the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, which broke out as two North Korean patrol boats violated the inter-Korean maritime border in the Yellow Sea. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
July 1 (Asia Today) — South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back urged senior commanders Wednesday to complete a key military capability review and work toward proposing a target year for the transfer of wartime operational control by the end of 2026.
“A military that cannot make its own decisions cannot become a strong military,” Ahn said while presiding over a meeting of senior commanders from across the armed forces at the Defense Ministry in Seoul.
Ahn called on the military to make every effort to present what officials have described as an “X-year” for the command transfer at this year’s South Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting.
“Regaining wartime operational control is a path toward building a stronger Republic of Korea and advancing the South Korea-U.S. alliance to a new level,” Ahn said.
He said the transfer would allow the South Korean military to take the lead in wartime planning, operational preparations and the execution of military operations.
Ahn made similar remarks earlier Wednesday while chairing a quarterly meeting reviewing progress on the command transfer.
“This year, we face the critical task of completing the Full Operational Capability verification and determining the timing of the OPCON transition,” Ahn said. “Let us fulfill the historic mission of regaining wartime operational control.”
The Defense Ministry aims to complete verification of the future Combined Forces Command’s Full Operational Capability at the annual Security Consultative Meeting, or SCM, scheduled for November in Washington.
The ministry then plans to recommend a target year for the transfer to the presidents of South Korea and the United States.
South Korea regained peacetime operational control of its armed forces in 1994. During wartime, designated South Korean and U.S. forces remain under the operational control of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, which is led by a U.S. general.
The allies have agreed that wartime command will be transferred after mutually established conditions are met rather than on a predetermined timetable.
The assessment of South Korea’s ability to lead the combined defense is divided into three stages: Initial Operational Capability, Full Operational Capability and Full Mission Capability.
The ministry said the Full Operational Capability assessment has been completed and that finishing its verification would allow the allies to begin specifying a transfer timetable.
U.S. and South Korean defense officials have repeatedly said the transition must be carried out in a stable and systematic manner under their jointly approved conditions-based plan.
Ahn also emphasized cooperation among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
He said each service must maintain its professional expertise but warned that service-specific interests should not create barriers to joint operations.
“Each service should ask itself how much time it allocates to joint training during the year,” Ahn said.
“Jointness must become part of military culture through the process of learning, training and thinking together beginning at the service academies and then be refined and developed in the field.”
The remarks came amid concern that the ministry’s plans to reform and potentially integrate elements of the military academy system could weaken the specialized education provided by each service.
Senior commanders also discussed developing a military based on artificial intelligence and advanced technology and restructuring South Korea’s armed forces by 2040.
They reviewed lessons from Russia’s war in Ukraine and recent fighting in the Middle East, including the growing battlefield use of artificial intelligence, drones and robots as relatively inexpensive and efficient weapons.
The ministry said it would begin pilot programs using newly developed artificial intelligence models during the second half of the year.
It also plans to provide private companies with a catalog of military data that could support defense technology development.
The military will expand the number of units assigned to test commercially developed drones from one to nine to support South Korea’s domestic drone industry, the ministry said.
As we have previously reported, under former President Andrzej Duda, Poland donated 14 of its MiG-29s to Ukraine, becoming the first country to commit to supplying combat jets to Kyiv. However, under new Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who was elected last August, the country is now seeking something tangible in return for the Fulcrums.
“I proposed what I believe was a very partnership-based approach. MiGs in exchange for drones,” Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who serves as defense minister and deputy prime minister, told the Polish Polsat News outlet. “The Ukrainians initially agreed, but they did not honor this arrangement, so there will be no MiGs for Ukraine because Poland does not have drones or the capability to use them.”
TWZ cannot independently confirm the Polish defense minister’s claims.
Poland has halted the transfer of Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters to Ukraine. (Photo by Omar Marques/Getty Images) Omar Marques
The Polish defense minister lauded Ukraine’s defense technology.
“Ukraine has such significant capabilities in the field of drones that, in return for the military equipment it has received, it could have shared its know-how with Poland and provided partial access to its technologies,” he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz added that he was not criticizing the previous administration’s policies toward Ukraine.
“I’m not going to bash them over this issue; that’s far from my intention,” he told Polsat. “They did the right thing—in fact, I’d go further: I would have done the same. They acted correctly, and Ukraine was in a much more difficult situation back then.”
Kosiniak-Kamysz’s pronouncement about halting the Fulcrum transfer follows Nawrocki’s confirmation last December that Poland would transfer the additional MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for counter-drone systems.
“After the unnecessary and unclear public uproar surrounding this issue—unfortunately, public opinion has been somewhat misinformed about this matter—we are seeking a symmetrical strategic partnership,” Nawrocki said during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “This exchange of MiGs for anti-drone systems does not contradict our policy.”
It is unclear exactly what drone technology Poland was seeking or what Ukraine refused to provide. Ukraine has yet to comment on the matter. However, Kosiniak-Kamysz’s comments come as Polish-Ukrainian relations are spiraling downward.
Earlier this month, Nawrocki stripped Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, Warsaw’s top award, escalating a row between the allies over the memory of WWII.
“Zelensky had infuriated Warsaw this month by naming a military unit after an insurgent army that took part in massacres against Poles in WWII,” AFP reported.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has approved the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying Poland will not support EU membership for those who fail to reject the “cult of totalitarianism and violence.” pic.twitter.com/HRx7vHigTi
For much of this conflict, Poland has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies, serving as a logistics hub and providing military assistance. As we noted earlier in this story, Poland’s initial donation of MiG-29s opened the door for the transfer of dozens of others from several NATO nations. That was followed by the eventual provision of F-16 Vipers and later French Mirage 2000 fighters.
Despite receiving more modern fighters: “Zelensky has noted that Ukraine requires MiG-29 aircraft because its pilots are already trained to operate them,” according to the Ukrainian United24 media outlet. “He added that transitioning to F-16 fighters requires lengthy retraining, temporarily reducing combat readiness, whereas MiG-29s would allow Ukraine to maintain operational air capabilities more immediately.”
Regardless of the type, Ukraine has a great need for more combat jets. Its air force has lost at least 88 of various kinds since the start of the war, according to the Oryx open-source tracking group. Those figures are likely higher because Oryx only tabulates losses for which it has visual proof.
The list includes at least 38 MiG-29s, 20 Su-27 Flankers, four F-16s and a Mirage. Ukraine lost two more aircraft in recent days.
A MiG-29 Fulcrum went down during a nighttime combat mission in the central Poltava region on June 27, the Ukrainian Air Force reported, according to the Kyiv Post. Earlier this month, a Su-24M bomber crashed, resulting in the deaths of both crew members, the newspaper noted.
⚡️ Ukrainian MiG-29 crashes during combat mission, Air Force says, pilot ejects safely.
The pilot successfully ejected and was located by a search-and-rescue team, which evacuated him to a medical facility.https://t.co/6LwplqdS59
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 27, 2026
Meanwhile, as the Ukraine-Poland spat simmers, Kyiv has inked a number of deals to share defense technology with Arab states in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Tehran has struck several Arab nations with missiles and drones in response to Operation Epic Fury, and they in turn reached out to Ukraine, which has gained air defense expertise after battling waves of Russian attacks for more than four years.
Earlier this week, Ukraine and Kuwait signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement paving the way for joint defense projects, military-technical cooperation, and collaboration between the two countries’ defense industries.
I welcome the decision of the State of Kuwait to finalize the domestic legal procedures required for the entry into force of the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Cooperation in the Military Field and Other Fields.
It is unclear how much these deals affected Poland’s MiG-29 decision, if at all. Nor is it known if there will be a cascading fallout on other drone deals Zelensky is trying to engineer with the U.S. and other nations. Regardless, while an additional 14 Fulcrums won’t change the course of the war for Ukraine, Poland’s refusal to provide them is another sign that a once-close relationship is now troubled.
There have been dozens of football transfers in Southern California during the offseason, but the one transfer who could make the greatest impact is running back AJ McBean, who announced he was leaving Mira Costa High for Gardena Serra.
McBean, who ran 10.55 seconds in the 100 meters this spring thanks to Mira Costa’s track program and his commitment to getting faster, joins a Serra offense that returns all five starters on the offensive line. He’s got the speed and strength to help the Cavaliers make up for not reaching the Southern Section playoffs last season out of the extremely competitive Mission League.
He’s been a longtime resident of Hermosa Beach, so what would motivate him to leave Mira Costa after recently making a commitment to Stanford? He apparently wants to prepare for college by being used in a more versatile role catching passes out of the backfield to show off his many skills. At least that’s what his family told coach Scott Altenberg. Mira Costa was changing its offense to better feature him, so it’s a tough loss for the Mustangs.
McBean will have to move to become eligible immediately.
Hope at Whittier
Former Garfield coach Lorenzo Hernandez, in his first season at Whittier, has already discovered a talent he can’t wait to develop. Offensive and defensive lineman Joseph Medina from the class of 2028 has made quite a first impression on Hernandez.
Medina didn’t play last season, “and in three months that we have been here, he is off the charts,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez calls him “a great technician and amazing leader.”
Agoura QB depth
Never has coach Dustin Croick of Agoura had more quality depth at quarterback than what he will have this season thanks to two newcomers.
Junior Kris Carranza has transferred from Sierra Canyon to Agoura and is a top candidate to start. The Chargers are also adding incoming freshman quarterback Emerson Andrews, whose father, David, played tight end at Ohio State and was a member of the 2002 national championship team. He is director of athletic performance for UCLA’s men’s basketball program. If anyone has a strength and conditioning question, submit it to Emerson, who knows someone.
Commitments rolling in
With college recruiters headed on vacation, lots of players decided to make commitments to make sure they have a “certain” destination. There’s also a new trend of players announcing on social media posts that they are “shutting down” their recruitment, which is supposed to mean their decision is final. Then how come others keep recruiting them? Because it’s never final in this era of NIL.
Quarterback Chris Fields, the City Section player of the year from Carson, committed to Georgetown. Offensive lineman Micah Butler from Hamilton committed to Sacramento State. Kicker Gabriel Goroyan of Westlake committed to Stanford. Defensive back Wesley Ace from Gardena Serra committed to San Jose State. Safety Jaden Walk-Green from Corona Centennial has committed to Washington and teammate Brett Smith has committed to UNLV. Running back Kamden Tillis of Los Alamitos has committed to San Diego State.
Man among boys
USC recruiters deserve praise for identifying the best in Southern California and pursuing them with great intensity. There’s no doubt that Damien safety Gavin Williams, a USC commit, will be the standard for excellence this coming season. He’s fast and strong and players who don’t adjust to his physical skills are in for a surprise.
Damien won the Chaminade seven-on-seven passing tournament on Saturday, beating Crespi in the final. On the first play, Williams caught a long touchdown pass, sprinting well past the defender who had no idea how fast he runs.
First-year coaches galore
It’s going to be fun tracking the progress of first-year football coaches this season because there are so many at well-known programs. The question of who will have the best record should be debated all summer.
Iggy Porchia became the latest new hire, replacing his mentor, the late Angelo Gasca, at Venice.
There should be a competition on which new private coach will have the best record and which new public school coach will have the best record. There are so many candidates with new coaches at JSerra, Orange Lutheran, Servite, Los Alamitos, St. Francis, St. Bernard, Bishop Montgomery, Oaks Christian, Whittier Christian, Bishop Alemany, Muir, Pasadena, Long Beach Poly, Arroyo, North Hollywood, Sun Valley Poly and on it goes.
Transfer issues coming
It appears the Southern Section will be busy again this fall after last year’s eligibility scandal when it declared 19 transfer students ineligible at Bishop Montgomery, resulting in the varsity season ending after one game and forcing the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to clean up what looked like a preventable mess.
This time, it could be public schools facing scrutiny. The same rumors that started last summer about schools loading up on transfers are circulating again this summer. Principals who don’t act after multiple transfers seemingly out of nowhere start showing up to play football only have themselves to blame.
And schools that delay submitting transfer paperwork until the last minute thinking investigators will be too busy to spot an error don’t understand the process.
City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos has a policy that she immediately schedules a meeting with the administration, athletic director, coach and parents when one school receives multiple transfers to review paperwork. The Southern Section deployed AI last fall to help it catch parents submitting false information.
So prepare for more exciting times. It’s like a cat-and-mouse game. And don’t forget about the anonymous emails identifying parents not living at the official address they put on their transfer paperwork.
Midfielder Bernardo Silva has joined Real Madrid on a two-year deal, linking up with manager Jose Mourinho.
Silva, 31, left Manchester City at the end of last season, bringing an end to a trophy-laden nine-year spell.
Silva was heavily linked with a move to Spain, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also reportedly chasing his signature.
He becomes Real’s second signing of the summer as a free transfer after defender Marc Cucurella joined from Chelsea in a deal worth £52m.
Real did not win a trophy last season.
They finished eight points behind La Liga champions FC Barcelona and were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Silva is at the World Cup with Portugal and is expected to play a pivotal role for his country.
Real are understood to be targeting departing Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries, while France defender Ibrahima Konate is set to join after leaving Liverpool.
Defender Antonio Rudiger this week signed a contract extension with Real until 2027.
South Korea’s Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back walks to deliver his speech during a plenary session of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-la Dialogue Defence Summit in Singapore, 30 May 2026. Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG/ EPA
June 14 (Asia Today) — South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Sunday that Seoul and Washington plan to recommend a target year for transferring wartime operational control of South Korean forces by the end of this year.
Ahn said during an appearance on KBS television that the allies would discuss verification of their full operational capability assessment at their annual Security Consultative Meeting in November.
“If we complete the full operational capability verification and make a recommendation to the presidents of both countries at the end of this year, we will be able to determine the target year for restoring wartime operational control,” Ahn said.
The United States has retained wartime operational control of South Korean forces since the 1950-53 Korean War. South Korea exercises control over its military during peacetime.
The allies have agreed that the transfer should be based on three conditions: South Korea’s military capabilities to lead the combined defense, the alliance’s ability to respond comprehensively to North Korean nuclear and missile threats and a regional security environment conducive to a stable transfer.
The first condition includes three stages of evaluating a future South Korea-led Combined Forces Command: initial operational capability, full operational capability and full mission capability.
Ahn said the full operational capability assessment has been completed. Verification expected by the end of the year would allow the allies to begin specifying a timetable for the transfer.
Responding to concerns that the transfer may be premature, Ahn said waiting for every condition to be perfectly satisfied could postpone the process indefinitely.
“New weapons emerge from one day to the next and the nature of the battlefield continues to change,” Ahn said. “If we keep treating the conditions this way, we could wait forever.”
Although warfare is shifting toward drones and other advanced systems, South Korea has sufficient capabilities to lead combined operations, he said.
Asked whether a future combined command led by a South Korean four-star general could impede coordinated operations or the deployment of U.S. strategic assets, Ahn said the issue had not been discussed.
Ahn acknowledged that Seoul and Washington may have different views on the timing of the transfer.
“Even children raised by the same parents can think differently,” he said. “How could two countries have identical views?”
Ahn also discussed the Jangbogo-N project, South Korea’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, describing it as part of the country’s transition from a tactical state to a strategic state.
“A tactical state operates within a framework designed by major powers,” he said. “A strategic state creates the framework and takes the lead in planning and designing its response during a war or another crisis.”
South Korea is preparing to build the first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s, Ahn said.
He said the country possesses the necessary conventional submarine construction capabilities, advanced nuclear technology and world-class shipyards but lacks access to nuclear fuel suitable for naval propulsion.
South Korea plans to seek U.S. cooperation in obtaining uranium enriched to less than 20%, he said.
Ahn said Seoul and Washington had not yet agreed on where the submarines would be built.
“Building nuclear-powered submarines in another country would be less efficient in terms of costs and technology,” he said. “The United States is also coming to understand that position.”
Ahn dismissed concerns in some U.S. circles that the project could contribute to nuclear proliferation.
“Low-enriched uranium below 20% cannot be converted easily for use in a nuclear weapon,” he said. “South Korea has been a model member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
Manchester City are contemplating taking legal action over a promise to sign striker Erling Haaland by a candidate in Real Madrid’s presidential election.
Enrique Riquelme – a renewable energy magnate who is challenging current president Florentino Perez for the position – unveiled a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name while on television on Wednesday, saying: “He has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid.”
A swift denial was issued in a joint statement by Haaland’s father and agent, before City rubbished the suggestion.
“The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue,” the statement read. “There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.
“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
After all, the La Liga champions also had the option – and still do – of making Marcus Rashford’s loan move from Manchester United a permanent one for £26m.
However, Barca have so far prioritised a move for his international team-mate, who also offers versatility on the left and through the middle, but is three years younger and on a lower wage.
There is also a belief within the club that there is more to come from Gordon both with and without the ball.
When Barcelona manager Hansi Flick spoke about Newcastle being a “very intense” side, earlier this season, the 25-year-old will have been among those at the forefront of his thoughts with his speed and aggression.
Flick places as much importance on players’ work rate as their flair and Gordon ranks in the top 40 Premier League forwards for possession won in the final third, high pressures applied and high pressures in the opponent’s half this season.
Yet it is Gordon’s goal return in Europe which clearly caught the eye of Barca and, indeed, fellow suitors Bayern Munich.
Although there were a few penalties along the way, and he came up against some leaky defences, only Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe (15) and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (14) have scored more goals in the Champions League this season than Gordon (10).
It is a stage Gordon has relished, having sounded like someone who had grown a little jaded with how the Premier League had become “a lot slower and a lot more set-piece based”.
“Sometimes it’s about duels – who wins the duels wins the game – or moments,” he said of the top flight back in January.
“The Champions League is a bit more of an older style game. It’s a bit more football based. Teams come and try and play proper football.”
