Nigerian defender, Ashleigh Plumptre has insisted that she is proud to be a member of the Super Falcons.

Plumptre spoke a few days after the Super Falcons’ elimination from the ongoing 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Recall that Nigeria crashed out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing 4-2 to England via a penalty shootout 

The Round of 16 tie had ended in a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes.

In a tweet via her Twitter handle Plumptre wrote, Incredibly grateful for the opportunity to go deeper into my own identity, learn more about what it means to have Naija spirit and to showcase to the world what a unified, determined and empowered group of women are capable of achieving. Proud to be a Super Falcon.

Plumptre, 25, featured in Nigeria’s four games against Australia, the Republic of Ireland, Canada and England.

She is a free agent after leaving Leicester City at the end of last season

Flying Eagles forward, Salim Fago Lawal has linked up with Croatian club, NK Istra 1961.

Lawal, who joined NK Istra from Mavlon FC, signed a three-year contract.

The young striker was part of Nigeria’s squad to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted by Argentina in May.

The 20-year-old made five appearances for the Flying Eagles at the competition and registered one goal.

The Flying Eagles were eliminated in the quarter-finals by South Korea.

Mavlon FC received several offers for the player but opted for him to move to Croatia to continue his development.

Atalanta striker, Rasmus Hojlund is set to undergo a medical with Manchester United on Tuesday ahead of a proposed move, according to The Athletic.

Both clubs have agreed a deal worth €75m (£64m) plus £10m (£8m) in add-ons for the 20-year-old.

Hojlund is poised to become Erik ten Hag’s third signing of the summer after Mason Mount and Andre Onana.

He has already agreed terms on a five-year deal with the option of a further year at Old Trafford.

Hojlund is now scheduled to fly into the UK for his medical tests.

Atalanta were in pre-season action on Saturday against Bournemouth with Hojlund not featuring ahead of his summer switch.

Hojlund is thought to have said his goodbyes to his team-mates ahead of the move.

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen will become the highest-paid African footballer if he joins Al Hilal this summer.

The Saudi Arabian club have launched a stunning £120.3million bid to land Osimhen, according to Sky Sports.

There has been an influx of top players to the Middle East this off-season, where there are astonishing contracts on offer.

African players have not been left out, with names like Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Eduoard Mendy leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia.

Mahrez will reportedly earn £750,000-per-week on his three-year contract at Al Ahli, while Mane will pocket around £650,000-per-week at Al Nassr.

However, the £1million-per-week wage Al Hilal are offering Osimhen, will make him the best paid footballer from the continent.

The 24-year-old has held talks over extending his deal at Napoli, but there has been no agreement yet, with the existing deal set to expire in 2025.

Paris Saint-Germain manager, Luis Enrique is already eyeing a move for Barcelona midfielder, Gavi after completing the transfer for winger Ousmane Dembele this summer.

PSG are reportedly close to landing Dembele who currently has a €50million release clause in his contract.

Dembele himself has already said yes to a move to PSG and has agreed to a five-year deal.

The 26-year-old is currently seen as a cheaper replacement for PSG forward Kylian Mbappe, whose future is already up in the air and could be leaving the Parisians this summer.

Dembele could also join a list of Barcelona players who have signed for PSG in recent seasons. Notably, Neymar, Dani Alves and Lionel Messi.

According to El Nacional, PSG are believed to still be keen on knocking on Barcelona’s door, but this time next summer, as Enrique has identified Gavi as a transfer target.

The French Ligue 1 champions would love to jump at the opportunity to add Gavi to their ranks in 2024 and would be willing to tempt Barcelona with an offer.

Uncertainty have surrounded the hosting of the Nigeria National League relegation playoffs in Kano.

The coalition of the eight clubs taking place in the tournament complained about the outbreak of Diphtheria in that part of the State.

The clubs also hinted at the economic hardship in the country which is likely to affect some teams’ participation in the relegation playoffs.

They however urged the NNL to cancel the playoff arrangement as the plan is outside the football calendar.

ABS, Sokoto United, Ikorodu City, Edel FC, FWC Champion FC, Smart City FC, Henserd FC and Adamawa United are the teams expected to take part in the playoffs.

In June, about 439 of suspected cases came from Kano, of which 160 were later confirmed.

In July, 130 additional cases were confirmed before the month ended.