Man Utd Sign Dorgu from Lecce

Football - Serie A - Lecce v Inter Milan - Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy - January 26, 2025 Lecce's Patrick Dorgu reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Lecce v Inter Milan - Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy - January 26, 2025 Lecce's Patrick Dorgu reacts. (Reuters)
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Man Utd Sign Dorgu from Lecce

Football - Serie A - Lecce v Inter Milan - Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy - January 26, 2025 Lecce's Patrick Dorgu reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Lecce v Inter Milan - Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy - January 26, 2025 Lecce's Patrick Dorgu reacts. (Reuters)

Manchester United completed the signing of Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Lecce on Sunday for a reported initial fee of £25 million ($37 million).

The 20-year-old has impressed in Serie A over the past two seasons, scoring five goals in 53 appearances in the Italian top flight, and has four caps for his country.

Dorgu is United's first signing of the Ruben Amorim era and should solve a lack of options down the left side for the Portuguese coach.

"I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player; this is a very special day for my whole family," Dorgu said in a club statement.

“I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting.

"There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions."

United's ability to back Amorim has been hampered by a need to meet profit and sustainability rules.

But the club's technical director Jason Wilcox is confident Dorgu is perfectly suited for Amorim's preferred 3-4-3 formation.

"Patrick is a really exciting talent; his strong defensive and attacking attributes, adaptability and work-rate will make him a key part of Ruben Amorim’s squad," said Wilcox.

"At the age of just 20, we know he will continue to develop under the guidance of our excellent coaching team."

United are hopeful of raising funds in the final hours of the transfer window, which shuts on Monday.

Marcus Rashford is reportedly on the verge of a loan move to Aston Villa, which will free up the majority of his reported £300,000-a-week wages.

Alejandro Garnacho has also been linked with Napoli but is unlikely to leave before Monday.



Saudi Arabia’s Sports Boulevard to Showcase Transformative Urban Development at MIPIM 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Sports Boulevard to Showcase Transformative Urban Development at MIPIM 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Sports Boulevard to Showcase Transformative Urban Development at MIPIM 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Sports Boulevard to Showcase Transformative Urban Development at MIPIM 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Sports Boulevard Foundation announced its participation in MIPIM 2025, the world’s leading real estate investment event, taking place in Cannes, France from March 11 to 14.

As part of the “Invest Saudi” delegation, the foundation will present key investment opportunities and urban development insights, reinforcing Riyadh’s evolution into a global hub for sports, wellness, and sustainable living.

Sports Boulevard—one of Riyadh’s mega-projects—is set to become the world’s largest urban regeneration linear park, spanning more than 135 km across the capital. The project integrates cutting-edge sports infrastructure, vibrant public spaces, and sustainable mobility solutions, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goals of enhancing quality of life and economic diversification.

The first phase of Sports Boulevard, opened in February 2025, includes five key destinations along an 83 km stretch, marking a significant milestone in the foundation’s commitment to innovative urban development.

As of December 2024, the project has secured substantial investments, including a combined real estate investment fund valued at approximately $1.47 billion (SAR5.5 billion), which will further boost private-sector participation.

At MIPIM, the foundation will engage with global investors, urban planners, and real estate developers, showcasing prime opportunities across various sectors. Sports Boulevard offers over four million square meters of gross floor area (GFA) earmarked for private-sector participation, including high-end residential units, commercial and retail spaces, and sports venues. This strategic space is poised to attract global investors and developers eager to contribute to Riyadh’s transformation.

CEO of the Sports Boulevard Foundation Jayne McGivern commented: "Sports Boulevard is more than an urban development; it’s a movement towards a healthier, more sustainable future. We are showcasing Riyadh as a global model for active living, where sports, wellness, and urban infrastructure converge to foster a thriving community."

"With world-class sports facilities, green mobility networks, and vibrant public spaces, the project offers unmatched investment and innovation opportunities in real estate and sustainable urban planning," he said.

With over 4.4 million square meters of green spaces, 220 km of cycling pathways, and an extensive 135 km pedestrian network, Sports Boulevard is redefining urban livability in Riyadh. The project also includes 15 km of dedicated horse-riding trails, more than 50 multidisciplinary sports facilities, and a network of tree-lined walking paths and shaded areas, encouraging outdoor activities in the city’s evolving landscape.

Sports Boulevard is unlocking significant investment opportunities for local and international investors across core asset-class real estate, sports, and infrastructure. Launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on March 19, 2019, and chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the project aims to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors by offering integrated infrastructure, pedestrian pathways, cycling and horse-riding trails, and world-class sports facilities.