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Influential French midfielder Lorenzo Callegari has signed a new contract with the Halifax Wanderers that keeps him with the Canadian Premier League team through the 2026 season. The former French youth international joined Halifax in January 2023 from French fourth-tier side FC Chambly. But he grew up in the Paris Saint-Germain system and played for the Ligue 1 powerhouse’s youth and reserve sides from 2011 to 2018. The 26-year-old, whose previous deal expired at the end of 2024, has made 53 appearances for Halifax and is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists. “He has established himself as a key piece of the squad with his consistency on the pitch so this contract has been a top priority for us this off-season,” Halifax sporting director Matt Fegan said. in a statement. “He remains very invested in the success of the club. These are the players we want to retain here, showing his loyalty and dedication to the club, our city and our supporters.” In other CPL news, ...

PARIS — Erling Haaland’s mammoth contract extension with Manchester City took the soccer world by surprise. Which suits him just fine. “Of course, it’s a bit unusual and it’s not normal. But it’s something I like. In the end, it was an easy choice,” Haaland said Tuesday. “I feel so happy, my family is so happy and in the end that’s what I really wanted.” One of the most lucrative deals in soccer covers 10 years from the start of this season for the 24-year-old Norway striker, who has scored 111 goals in 125 games since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. The deal until 2034 is the longest in the Premier League, with Haaland reportedly earning around 500,000 pounds ($600,000) per week. The sheer size of it also seems to limit the possibility of him joining an even bigger club like Barcelona or Real Madrid in the years to come, unless one is prepared to pay a fortune. He’s also fine with that. “In the end, I really look forward to spending many more years ...

Gabriel Strefezza got a goal and an assist as Como powered its way to a 4-1 victory over Udinese on Monday that lifted Cesc Fàbregas’ side three points clear of the Serie A relegation zone. Assane Diao scored for the second game in a row to put Como 1-0 ahead in the fifth minute and Strefezza doubled the lead two minutes before halftime with a low shot after Udinese failed to clear a corner kick from the left. Martin Payero pulled a goal back for Udinese early in the second half and the visitors pushed forward after Edoardo Goldaniga was sent off for a second booking in the 57th. However, Udinese’s numerical advantage lasted only six minutes as Oumar Solet was also shown a red card for two fouls in quick succession. An own goal by Jaka Bijol 12 minutes from time made it 3-1 and then Nico Paz finished off a well-worked fourth for Como in the final minute. The result was Como’s biggest win since returning to Serie A this season and lifted it from 17th to 13th place. The ...

York United FC has acquired Steffen Yeates from Pacific FC, signing the 25-year-old Canadian midfielder to a two-year contract with a club option for another year. Yeates joined Pacific in December 2022 from Toronto FC 2, making 32 appearances across all competitions in each of his two seasons with the Canadian Premier League club. A former Canadian youth international, Yeates has gone on to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the senior level “We pushed hard to land Steffen and we’re so happy to get him,” York president Ricardo Pasquel said in a statement. “He is another fantastic player, someone who has been remarkably consistent throughout his career — not only in the CPL.  “He has a proven track record and is a perfect fit for us. His attitude, personality, motivations and wider skill set makes him an ideal York United FC player and we can’t wait to see him on the field. He’s another local guy and knows what it means to represent this city and the GTA. That’s a crucial part of...

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City made its first move of what could be a busy January transfer window for the English champion by signing 20-year-old centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for an initial 40 million euros ($41.5 million) on Monday. Khusanov has played 18 times for Uzbekistan and was the first person from his country to play in the French league. He has played for Lens since last season after joining from Belarus club Energetik-BGU Minsk for 100,000 euros. City has been hit with injury issues at center back this season, with Ruben Dias, John Stones and Nathan Ake all having time out of action. City has also been linked with signing Vitor Reis, a 19-year-old centre-back, from Palmeiras in Brazil, and looks set to buy Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush for a reported 75 million euros ($77.1 million). City manager Pep Guardiola has said the club is looking to bring forward future signings to the current transfer window because ...

Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran has signed a contract extension through 2027 with an option for the 2028 season. The MLS club announced in late October that it was exercising the 2025 contract option on the 24-year-old from Hamilton, who was taken in the second round (31st overall) of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft out of St. John’s University. Gavran earned US$74,868 last season, according to the MLS Players Association.  Gavran has served as backup to veteran Sean Johnson but acquitted himself well when called into action with the 35-year-old Johnson away on duty with the United States or sidelined by injury. The young ‘keeper has made 17 appearances and recorded four clean sheets across all competitions since signing with the Toronto first team in August 2023. “We are very happy to secure Luka’s contract extension at this time,” Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez said in a statement. “As one of our motivated young Canadian talents, we envision Luka continuing to grow within ...

PARIS — Second-place Marseille lost further ground on leader PSG by drawing 1-1 with Strasbourg in the French league on Sunday. Facing a well-organized and lively visiting side, Marseille struggled to develop its attacking moves in the first half and relied on a penalty converted by Mason Greenwood after the interval to secure a point. Marseille has a five-point lead over third-place Lille in the race for Champions League spots. It’s now lagging nine points behind PSG, which won 2-1 at Lens on Saturday ahead of a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City on Wednesday. Emanuel Emegha made the most of Marseille’s passivity to put the visitors in front in the 23rd minute. The Dutch forward was set up by the unmarked Andrey Santos in the back of the high defensive line and rushed toward goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, finishing off the move with a chipped finish. Strasbourg’s intense press posed many problems for the hosts. Marseille played better in the second half an...