James Milner Joining Brighton after Departure from Liverpool

Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner waves to supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 28, 2023. (AFP)
Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner waves to supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 28, 2023. (AFP)
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James Milner Joining Brighton after Departure from Liverpool

Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner waves to supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 28, 2023. (AFP)
Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner waves to supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 28, 2023. (AFP)

James Milner is joining Brighton on a free transfer after his departure from Liverpool.

The versatile 37-year-old midfielder signed a one-year contract Wednesday with the option for a further 12 months.

Milner will join Brighton once his contract with Liverpool expires on June 30, adding experience to Roberto De Zerbi’s squad ahead of the club’s first European campaign. Brighton will play in the Europa League next season after a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.

"He’s an excellent addition for us," De Zerbi said, "and I’m sure he will help to bring us to an even higher level."

Milner, who made 61 international appearances for England from 2009-16, began his career with Leeds and has also played for Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

He won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup during eight years at Anfield.

Milner is third in the list of all-time Premier League appearances with 619, behind Gareth Barry (652) and Ryan Giggs (632).



China Out of Contention for World Cup after 1-0 Loss to Indonesia

Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
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China Out of Contention for World Cup after 1-0 Loss to Indonesia

Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana

China was eliminated from 2026 World Cup qualification Thursday after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta.

A first-half penalty from Ole Romeny was enough to keep China, whose sole appearance was in 2002, last in Group C with just one game remaining.

Indonesia, coached by Patrick Kluivert, took the lead just before the break when Romeny converted from the penalty spot.

Elsewhere in the group, a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth to put the Socceroos within touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup appearance.

Australia can qualify for its sixth successive World Cup later Thursday if Saudi Arabia, next week’s final group opponent, fails to win in Bahrain.

The already-qualified Japan fielded an experimental XI with only Daichi Kamada and Koki Machida having made more than four international appearances, but still had the majority of possession and chances.

Substitute Takefusa Kubo had perhaps the best opportunity with 10 minutes remaining, but the midfielder shot wide of the post from inside the area.

In the 90th minute, Riley McGree broke free down the right and pulled back for Behich to curl home to bring Perth Stadium to its feet and give Australia its first win over Japan in 16 years.

“It hasn’t sunk in just yet but when the final whistle went it was a great feeling,” Behich said. “It was a tough game and we had to grind it out. It’s been a long campaign and we have worked so hard.”

The teams who finish third and fourth in the three groups in this third round of Asian qualifying will advance to a fourth stage to compete for the remaining two Asian places at the World Cup.