Ferdinand has made 22 appearances for Brighton’s under-18s, struggling to break into the under-21s, making one appearance.
He appeared as a substitute in the Premier League 2 this campaign, playing four minutes in a 4-2 win against Southampton.
A club statement from the Hawks said: “Havant and Waterlooville Football Club are thrilled to announce that, goalkeeper, Lorenz Ferdinand has joined on work experience from Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion for the remainder of the Season!
“Ferdinand, 18, came through the set-up at Brighton & Hove Albion where he now continues to refine his trade in their Under-21’s set-up.
“Lorenz links up with Shaun North’s side for the run-in as the push towards the end of the season continues!
“We welcome Lorenz to the Hawks and look forward to seeing him in action very soon.”
Havant currently sit sixth in the league which is two divisions below the National League.
In 2023, Lorenz signed a management contract with agency New Era Global Sports.
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It is hoped the move to Havant and Waterlooville will provide added experienceCredit: X / HWFCOfficial
His father posted on Instagram: “Our eldest is on his own journey in football.
“Another nice moment signing with @neweraglobalsports , well earned through hard work & dedication.
“It’s a long road full of ups and downs, so the right & professional support is required – so step forward @neweraglobalsports. Love you Lorenz.”
Ferdinand Snr is an ambassador and mentor within the company ‘offering his experience and advice’ to clients.
The same roles are held by his brothers Anton and Max.
The agency also represents Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane and Jacob Murphy.
Rio Ferdinand reveals he’s in WhatsApp group with ex Manchester united players who ‘hammer’ club every week
Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City flops that Champions League qualification will not “fall from the sky” after a painful 1-0 defeat at top four rivals Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
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Guardiola’s side were humbled yet again in their wretched campaign when Callum Hudson-Odoi beat City keeper Ederson at the near post in the 83rd minute.
City’s ninth league defeat of the season — their most since 2019-20 — leaves them anxiously looking over their shoulder in the top-four race.
To get back in Europe’s elite club competition next season, Guardiola knows City must find a way to shake off the lethargy that has gripped them throughout their astonishing decline.
“We have to win games. We don’t win enough games in a row to be secure. We have 10 games left, we have to win a lot of games to qualify. This is how it is,” he said.
“To find a way we have to play better. We have to do something, it doesn’t come from the sky. Of course the situation is what it is.
“Ten games left, starting against Brighton next Saturday, international break afterwards and we’ll see what happens.” In keeping with City’s error-strewn season, Ederson made a hash of Hudson-Odoi’s winner, allowing the former Chelsea forward to squeeze in his shot at the near post.
Fourth-placed City are four points behind third-placed Forest and only one ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who host lowly Leicester on Sunday.
Despite their predicament, Guardiola refused to blame Ederson for their latest loss.
“It is what it is, we can’t blame a player, I prefer to praise than blame,” he said. “I didn’t see the action. It happens in football, nothing to say.”
– ‘Gives you confidence’ –
City’s first league defeat to Forest since 1997 was the latest highlight in a memorable campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
But Nuno remains grounded and insists the victory does not guarantee they will qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1980-81.
“We are very happy. We did a very good game against a tough team,” he said. “We are talking about the best teams around. It always gives you the confidence that you can compete well against such good players.
“It allows us to grow as a team, but it doesn’t change the opponent ahead of you because the Premier League is very tough. Every good performance we have and every good result we have is always what we look for.
“It doesn’t change anything. It’s about the focus and the approach of the games. Let’s enjoy the journey together. The players are doing amazing, the fans are giving us help, so let’s keep on enjoying.” Forest legend Stuart Pearce is currently recovering in hospital in Canada after falling ill on a flight home from Las Vegas.
And Nuno sent his best wishes to Pearce on a day when Forest’s performance encapsulated the passion and pride that were the former England defender’s calling cards.
“Stuart is not just a legend of our club, he is part of our family,” Nuno said. “We all send him our very best wishes and hope he has a full and fast recovery.”
Cash-strapped Manchester United could be set for a much-needed multi-million pound windfall – thanks to former striker Mason Greenwood.
Greenwood has been banging in goals for fun since leaving Man United to join Roberto de Zerbi’s Marseille last summer.
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Greenwood has enjoyed a bright start to his Marseille career and could land Man United a financial boostCredit: Getty
The ex-England international’s hot streak of 14 goals in 22 games for the French outfit has alerted some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the likes of PSG and Barcelona.
When United traded Greenwood with Marseille for £26.6miliion they insisted on an unusually high 50 per cent sell-on clause.
With the 23-year-old now valued at around £60m, that means United would bank in the region of £16.5m from any sale.
Bournemouth are braced for a summer battle to keep several of their star men, and manager Andoni Iraola!
The Cherries are enjoying the season of their lifetime and currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League, likely to be enough to secure a spot in the Champions League.
Their incredible rise up the table has not gone unnoticed with centre-back Dean Huijsen, who is believed to have a £50m release clause in his contract, attracting attention from Liverpool and Chelsea.
Left-back Milos Kerkez is another Cherries star on the radar of a number of top clubs, including Manchester United, along with fleet-footed forward Antoine Semenyo, who has admirers at Newcastle.
Then there is miracle-working gaffer Iraola, who talkSPORT understands would be at the top of Tottenham’s list if they parted company with Ange Postecoglou, who is under pressure with Spurs down in 12th.
With Iraola preferring to sign short-term deals and only contracted until the end of next season that could leave Bournemouth vulnerable, although sources close to the Spaniard say he is happy on the Dorset coast.
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Iraola has earned praise for his work at Bournemouth, as well as attracting the eyes of the Premier League’s big boysCredit: Getty
Why Mitoma rejected Saudi revealed
Kaoru Mitoma is a rare breed in modern football, a player who puts ambition before money.
But even if the Seagulls were tempted to cash in on their Japanese international, which they were reluctant to do, talkSPORT has been told he immediately rebuffed the notion of moving to the Middle East.
That’s because the humble 27-year-old, who could have set himself up financially for life by linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo, has his sights set on one day playing in the Champions League.
What the Saudi interest has achieved is to strengthen Brighton’s bargaining position when an elite Premier League or European club do come calling by driving up his asking price.
After being compared to Arsenal’s Dutch maestro Dennis Bergkamp following his stunning goal of the season contender against Chelsea, there is every chance the big boys could come calling.
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Mitoma turned down a life-changing move to Saudi Arabia – because he dreams of Champions League footballCredit: Getty
Spurs coach wanted by Championship club
Swansea could turn to Ryan Mason in their hunt for a new manager.
Tottenham assistant coach Mason was high on the Swans’ wanted list before they appointed Luke Williams in January last year.
And after deciding to give Williams the boot after a run of eight defeats from their last ten games, the ex-England midfielder still has admirers among the Welsh club’s hierarchy.
Mason also held talks with Anderlecht in October before deciding to stay at Spurs, so it remains to be seen if he is willing to leave now.
As talkSPORT reported on Monday, former Oxford boss Des Buckingham is also among the front-runners to replace the sacked Williams.
However, this notebook understands Russell Martin has no interest in a return to South Wales.
Martin Keown believes Ruben Amorim has LOST the Manchester United dressing room
Chelsea were on the receiving end of a Valentine’s Day massacre following a 3-0 thrashing at Brighton – their second defeat at the Amex Stadium in six days.
The Blues had revenge on their mind after losing 2-1 to the Seagulls in their FA Cup fourth round clash last weekend.
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Chelsea were smashed on the south coast as Brighton ran out easy 3-0 winnersCredit: Getty
However it got worse for Enzo Maresca‘s side on Friday night with the west London outfit humiliated on the south coast.
The 3-0 loss is their worst defeat in all competitions this season – and heaviest since their 5-0 thumping away at Arsenal in April 2024.
Goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh sent the hosts 2-0 up going into the break.
And Minteh sealed the victory with his second of the match in the 63rd minute to send Brighton up to eighth in the table.
But for Chelsea, it was another performance to forget as they failed to muster a single shot on target.
That is the first time that has happened in the Premier League since September 2021 after losing 1-0 to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
It’s the fourth time this century that Chelsea have now failed to have a shot on target.
The first came in September 2007 when Avram Grant’s side lost 2-0 to Manchester United in 2017.
And ten years later, it was Antonio Conte’s turn to record the unwanted stat in another 2-0 defeat to the Red Devils.
Incredibly, Chelsea had 70 per cent possession at Brighton, but created next to nothing as the visitors missed the chance to boost their Champions League qualification hopes.
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Maresca’s side have now lost twice in a week at the Amex StadiumCredit: AFP
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Minteh scored twice to send the Seagulls up to eighth in the Premier League tableCredit: Getty
Their only shot on target proved to be Enzo Fernandez’s first half header which nestled into the back of the net – though that was eventually ruled out.
The Argentine midfielder was correctly adjudged to have pushed Joel Veltman in the back just before he got his head on Malo Gusto‘s cross.
And in another blow for Chelsea, they lost winger Noni Madueke in the first half with what appeared to be a hamstring knock.
Speaking to talkSPORT after the match, Maresca stated: “For sure, we are going to lose him for a while.”
Chelsea are already in the midst of a mini-forward injury crisis with Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu injured, while Mykhailo Mudryk is currently suspended.
And in an interview with Sky Sports, he failed to hide his disappointment at his squad.
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Fernandez was left in disbelief after his equaliser was ruled out for a foulCredit: Getty
He remarked: “We are in a moment when we feel we can concede easily and struggle to score.
“I think before the goal they didn’t have some chances. There are many things we can do better.”
Before adding: “I feel sorry for the fans. It is not the right performance that we can offer, especially at this moment in the season. We need to stick together.
“I feel pressure always. Tonight, the performance was the worst since I arrived so it is not the right moment.
“But we are still in fourth and in the race to finish in Europe.”
Victory for fourth-placed Chelsea at Brighton would have seen them close the gap on Nottingham Forest in third to one point.
Cole Palmer will play Champions League football next season – whether he’s at Chelsea or not
But they could fall to as a low as sixth come the end of the weekend if results go against them.
Incredibly, Chelsea had the chance to go top on December 22 had they beat Everton at Goodison Park.
However after two wins in their last nine top-flight matches, Chelsea now sit 14 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
And that gap could extend to 17 points should the Reds emerge victories over Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.
Jake Robinson has likely endured his fair share of abuse from fans in the away end at Brighton, but now he’ll be ferrying them down to the AmEx.
The striker, who is still playing today, made his name as the Seagull‘s youngest ever scorer, and he’s now gone full circle, taking the next hopefuls to the team’s ground.
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Robinson flew out of the blocks as a Brighton youngster but had his eyes on thoughts after footballCredit: Getty
That’s because Robinson is in his third month as an apprentice train driver and expects matchdays to be one of his key duties.
Robinson first broke through with Brighton in 2003 and started his journey to 148 appearances with his boyhood club with his first of 22 goals.
Reflecting on that moment, he told BBC Sussex: “I was 16 years 355 days, I’ll never forget that, it was one of the best moments of my career.
“As someone who came through the centre of excellence at Brighton, was born as a local lad, and to get into the first team that young and get a goal and still hold that record, I bring it up whenever I possibly can.”
Robinson left the Albion six years later in 2009 and realised that he may have to start planning for a future outside of the game.
“The long and short of it is around my early 20s I realised that I was never going to be able to retire [with the money] from playing football,” he explained.
“As much as 16-year-old me thought that was going to happen that I’d make millions and play for England, the reality was that one day I was going to have to get a job.
“When I left Brighton and moved up to Shrewsbury at 22 I was starting to move down the leagues a bit already and the money never quite went to the level it needed to if that was going to be my goal.”
Then came the decision, which was helped along by his father.
The now 38-year-old Robinson continued: “The further I got into my career and the older I got and the more everything started to ache a bit, I started to give some serious thought about what I wanted to do.
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Robinson moved down the leagues, playing for teams like Aldershot Town in League TwoCredit: Getty
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Now he’s potentially driving a train you’re on boardCredit: BBC
“The person I am I like to do a lot of research and I looked into careers I could possibly do and things that had transferable skills and by chance my dad who works at Brighton station told me they were advertising for trainee train drivers and the more I looked into it I thought it would suit me.
“I am now an apprentice train driver for Southern Rail. I’ve been doing this for three months now and I’m enjoying it very much.
“There’s lots to learn, I’ve had to learn how to learn again, It’s been more than 20 years since I was at school. It’s a totally new career for me and I’m really enjoying it.”
Robinson racked up over 700 career appearances to date with over 200 goals, and he’s still playing for Southern Combination Football League side Newhaven in the ninth tier of English football.
Along the way he was a teammate of big names like Ivan Toney and Jermaine Pennant, and he still reflects fondly on what he’s been through so far.
“I’m very proud of my career, I keep saying I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said.
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Robinson loved his life in football, and now train driving tooCredit: Getty
“All I ever wanted to do was be a professional footballer and I’m lucky I lived out that dream and scored in every league from the Championship down to County One now, so that’s another nice record I’ve got.”
But, the big question is obviously whether he’ll be taking fans from Brighton to Falmer station just outside the AmEx, and the answer he gave was a heartwarming one.
“I believe that is quite likely,” Robinson said. “It will be one of my core routes and drivers talk about how much of a challenge that can be with thousands on the platform.
“Again it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to and it will be like the story is complete for me having trained there as a kid, and now my new career that’s going to hopefully last me the rest of my life. So it’s full circle.”
Troy Deeney labelled Bart Verbruggen’s error against Chelsea ‘an absolute stinker’ but his Brighton teammates bailed him out of jail.
Coming off a 7-0 mauling at the hands of Nottingham Forest in their last fixture, Brighton secured a much-needed win to book a spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup as they beat the Blues 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.
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The Brighton goalkeeper produced a woeful error to put Chelsea in frontCredit: AFP
However, they had to come from behind as the Seagulls’ best-laid plans were wrecked after just five minutes.
Jadon Sancho fizzed a diagonal pass towards Cole Palmer, who was stationed out on the left flank.
Palmer looked to catch Brighton’s backline off-guard and volleyed the ball across goal with a first-time effort.
However, the Chelsea star’s effort was directed towards Verbruggen and looked like it would be a routine save for the Dutchman.
Instead, the Seagulls goalkeeper misjudged the flight and bounce of the ball as it cannoned off his shoulder and into the back of the net.
A number of the Brighton players put their hands on their heads in sheer disbelief at their teammate’s shocking error.
Speaking on commentary, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook labelled it as ‘an absolute calamity from Verbruggen.’
Former Watford striker Deeney was equally ruthless in his analysis.
“What a stinker,” Deeney said.
“What an absolute stinker the fella has had there.”
Deeney added: “He [Palmer] actually shanks it into the ground, it bounces into the keeper and he falls backwards towards his goal, hits his shoulder and goes in.
“It’s awful, awful goalkeeping. The best part about it as we’re watching the replays is seeing all the Brighton players, all the confidence has just gone.
“They must be feeling 7-0 is coming again.”
It is not the first time this season Verbruggen has been shaky at the back.
In fact, the 22-year-old has made four errors leading to a goal in the Premier League, with only Robert Sanchez and Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric producing more (five).
Luckily for Verbruggen, Brighton found an equaliser just seven minutes later.
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Verbruggen will have wanted the ground to swallow him whole after his errorCredit: Getty
Seagulls defender Joel Veltman popped in a cross from just outside the box and was deftly flicked on by Georginio Rutter.
The pace on Rutter’s header left Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez with no chance as the hosts swiftly got back on level terms.
Brighton then took the lead in the 57th minute through Kaoru Mitoma after he deftly controlled a lofted pass from Rutter before lifting it over the on-rushing Robert Sanchez.
The Japanese international’s second-half strike ultimately proved to be the winner in a much-needed boost for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
For Chelsea, the loss means they have failed to qualify for the fifth round of the FA Cup for just the second time since the 2014/15 season.
As for Brighton, they have now reached the fifth round of the tournament for the fourth time in the last five campaigns.
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Mitoma scored his third goal of 2025 as Brighton avoided a third-straight lossCredit: Getty
Brighton have turned down a big-money offer from Al-Nassr for Kaoru Mitoma, talkSPORT understands.
The Saudi Arabian giants made an offer worth £55million for the Seagulls star, but that has been knocked back.
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Mitoma is the subject of a huge interest from Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
It’s understood that Brighton have no intention of selling the winger.
The 27-year-old is under contract until the summer of 2027 having signed a new deal back on October 2023.
Mitoma joined Brighton from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021 and spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise.
Linking up with the Seagulls for the 2022/23 season, the winger racked up ten goals and eight assists for the club to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s top attacking stars.
However, Mitoma was limited to just 19 appearances last term due to injury, but has bounced back with five goals and three assists so far this season.
Brighton are currently sitting in ninth place in the Premier League, six points from sixth place.
While Al Nassr’s move for Mitoma has been knocked back, they are closing in on a big-money deal for another Premier League star.
That’s because Jhon Duran is undergoing a medical ahead of completing a £64million move from Aston Villa.
Villa reached an agreement with the Saudi giants to sell Duran for an initial of fee of €77million (£64.5m), which could rise to €90m (£75m) with potential add-ons.
Villa bought Duran in 2023 for less than £18m from MLS side Chicago Fire, where he moved from Colombian outfit Envigado in 2019.
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The Brighton star is one of the Seagulls’ prized assetsCredit: Getty
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Mitoma is enjoying a decent season for Brighton
This season, Duran has scored 12 goals across all competitions, including three times in the Champions League and seven in the English top-flight.
talkSPORT understands Duran will bank €15m (approximately £12.5m) a year – almost £250,000 per week.
But Al Nassr could be hit by another stumbling block if Brighton were to accept an offer for Mitoma.
The signing of Duran means he will fill the final foreign player quota that applies to all Saudi Pro League teams, meaning a foreign player would have to be sold in the event of Mitoma’s arrival.
But while Duran’s move appears imminent, talkSPORT host Simon Jordan isn’t impressed with the move.
“I have very little respect for this player going to Saudi, I don’t. At 21 years of age, this is not a super competitive league” Jordan said.
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Duran is on the cusp of a huge payday in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
“This is not a world stage league, and I don’t know why a 21 year old will be going there besides one thing and one thing only, money.”
“You don’t see many paupers at top-level football. You don’t go into football thinking that ultimately you’re gonna be anything other than successful, and if you go to Saudi, it’s because you’re going for one reason and one reason only, for money.
“At 21 years of age, I think that’s a shame because he’s not going into competitive football.
“I hope that he reaps the whirlwind for that in football terms. He won’t reap the whirlwind for it economically.
“How do you develop in the substandard league? How do you get better? The way you get better in most sports is by playing with people that are better than you, because it makes you drag your standard up.
“I think personally it’s disappointing for a talented 21-year-old player that clearly people think highly of talent wise.
Brighton star Danny Welbeck responds to transfer rumours linking him to Manchester United
“There might be a question about temperament and attitude and outlook and entitlement, but you’ve got a manager that’s rotating him, playing him.
“When he gets an opportunity, he takes it, he came out the side because he’s injured, he’ll get another opportunity again and he’s going to Saudi for money.
“This player’s all about money and not about the game. This player should be playing in elite football and developing his career if he wants to be an elite footballer.
“If he wants to be an elite bank balance, fair play to him” Jordan said.
Arsenal are hopeful of fending off interest from fellow Premier League clubs to snap up Rosenborg starlet Sverre Nypan, talkSPORT understands.
The Gunners are in advanced talks with the Norwegian side to bring the teenage playmaker to the Emirates Stadium.
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Norwegian starlet Nypan (left) is a player in demand during the winter transfer windowCredit: Getty
While the deal isn’t in the closing stages of completion, it is Arsenal who are the frontrunners to secure his services.
Both Aston Villa and Brighton are also admirers of the 18-year-old, who is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Europe.
Meanwhile LaLiga outfit Girona are also interested in the youngster in the race to sign the player tipped as the ‘next Martin Odegaard‘.
Recent reports have stated that Manchester City are in the running to land the attacking midfielder.
Nypan was present at the Etihad Stadium to watch the Citizens’ 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday evening.
He even shares the same agent as City striker and compatriot Erling Haaland in Rafaela Pimenta.
But talkSPORT understands that Pep Guardiola‘s men will not be making a move for Nypan before the February 3 deadline.
Instead, their Premier League title rivals Arsenal are confident that it will be them that wins the race for Nypan to see him join Norway captain Odegaard at London Colney.
It is believed that Nypan would instantly become part of Mikel Arteta‘s first-team squad, where he would add much-needed creativity in the middle of the park.
Able to operate as a No. 8 or as a No. 10, Nypan would likely be deployed as a left-sided central midfielder should he link up in north London.
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Nypan is destined to depart Rosenborg before the end of the winter transfer windowCredit: AFP
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He has been likened to Arsenal captain and Norwegian compatriot OdegaardCredit: Getty
Regarded as Norway’s next big star after Haaland and Odegaard, Nypan burst onto the scene in 2022.
In November of that year, he created Rosenborg history by becoming the club’s youngest player having made his senior debut at the age of 15 years and 322 days.
Just six months later, he became their youngest goalscorer in the league at just 16 years and 145 days.
And in the recent 2024 Eliteserien campaign, he chipped in with an impressive eight goals and seven assists in 28 matches.
His dazzling displays saw him win the Eliteserien Young Player of the Season award for the second year running.
With fellow teenagers in Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly given regular game time under Arteta, Nypan could be the latest teenager to make his name at the Emirates.
Fanatics have announced they will be opening their first-ever global flagship store ahead of a stunning new Premier League deal.
The shop will be located on the iconic Regent Street, showcasing the brand to a footfall of around 70 million people when it opens in spring.
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Fanatics will be hosting more events with athletes like Dominic Solanke at their new Regent Street storeCredit: Topps
It marks a big step as Fanatics look to expand further into Europe having dominated America as a $25billion behemoth.
The store, which will showcase the brand’s collectibles which cover UEFA club competitions, including the Champions League, MLB, NBA, WWE, UFC, Formula 1 and more.
Fanatics last year announced that they had beaten Panini to the rights for Premier League trading cards and stickers, which will be made under the Topps brand it bought in 2022.
That deal will begin in June, and their new store in London will allow fans from around the world to enjoy a new interactive community space.
The store will include an a state-of-the-art breaking studio, where creators can open packs and boxes for their audiences, interactive customer education touchpoints, and a personal card creation suite
There will also a central display of the rarest and most-desirable cards, all with a giant suspended circular screen above.
The space, as well as selling collectibles has hosted events, including a night with Tottenham star Dominic Solanke and Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
The pair known for their love of collectibles opened boxes of Topps products with fans and creators for an unforgettable experience.
And there will be more of the same to come at the Regent Street store.
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The new store will span 803 square meters (8,647 square feet)Credit: Fanatics
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The breakers studio will allow interactive events within the storeCredit: Fanatics
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The Fanatics store will take pride of place on Regent StreetCredit: Fanatics
“We are incredibly excited to cut the ribbon on this amazing community-building retail space, one that we hope will delight collectors and be a true home for the hobby in Europe,” said Topps President of Trading Cards, David Leiner.
“It’ll be a destination for millions of fans as well as our own internal partners – and team and club partners, the latter using our dedicated space to launch and showcase new products in a way that has never been done before.”
While the store will, in the most part target the enormous trading market, there is going to be plenty more to do and buy.
Apparel from Toppsand Fanatics-owned Mitchell & Ness, will be on sale as well as memorabilia, such as signed kits, jerseys, balls and other equipment.
There will also entertainment stock on sale after the recent success of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Garbage Pail Kids, Stranger Things products.
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo left stunned after he packs himself in Topps cards
Harvey Elliott set social media abuzz with his celebration against Lille and now we know why.
The 21-year-old scored the winner for Liverpool as they overcame Lille 2-1 to all-but secure top spot and guarantee a place in the Champions League last-16.
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Elliott’s winning strike sparked a curious celebrationCredit: Getty
Elliott’s goal came in the 67th minute when he unleashed a shot from outside the box that took a deflection off of Ngal’ayel Mukau’s foot and flew into the net.
However, the 21-year-old generated more headlines for what he did following his goal.
As he wheeled away to celebrate, Elliott made a talking gesture with his hand before he made a cutting movement across his throat.
Some suspected it was transfer-related given Elliott had been linked with a move away from Anfield in recent weeks.
A switch to Brighton and Borussia Dortmund had been mooted in various reports.
However, Elliott confirmed he has no desire to leave Liverpool any time soon and revealed his celebration was intended to demonstrate that.
When asked by Amazon Prime presenter Gabby Logan what his celebration meant, Elliott responded: “I think it’s pretty clear, to be honest.
“I’m not leaving. I said it in an interview the other day, this is my team. This is my club.
“I’m a massive fan and we’re in a great position so far this season.”
Logan suggested Elliott’s gesture was as if to say ‘shut up’, to which he agreed.
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The 21-year-old has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away
Elliott added he ‘didn’t really see’ much of the speculation surrounding his future and had only learned of it through his friends.
“It’s (speculation) always going to happen in January and especially after being out for a long time and not really playing as much as I’d want to,” Elliott said.
“But, you know, that’s football.”
Elliott’s strike, albeit deflected, against Lille was just his second goal in 12 appearances for Liverpool this term.
The 21-year-old has had a disrupted campaign having sustained a broken foot in September.
As a result of the injury, he has missed 14 games for the Reds.
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Elliott will hope to add more goals to his tally as Liverpool continue to fight on multiple fronts
But when he has been available, Elliott has started just twice.
Those came in a third round FA Cup clash against Accrington Stanley and a Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Southampton, in which he scored.
Despite the fierce competition for places in Liverpool’s starting line-up, Elliott confirmed he’d spoken with Reds boss Arne Slot regarding his lack of minutes.
However, he remains upbeat and knows he has to take his chance with both hands whenever an opening in Liverpool’s team emerges.
“We’ve had those conversations but it’s not just me,” Elliott told reporters after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brentford, where his second-half cameo played a key role in spurring the team on to victory.
“There are other lads in the team who maybe haven’t played as much as they want and are probably doing the same thing.
Liverpool are ‘boring’ to watch despite their winning form claims Jason Cundy
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Elliott has held conversations with Slot over his future but remains keen to fight for his place
“I just have to keep working hard, keep trying to help the team out whenever I’m needed and just wait for my opportunity.
“I don’t expect to come in and play straight away. I want to help my team out as much as I can and the club and give everything I can.”
Liverpool need just a point in their final Champions League league phase match, where they face Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, on January 29 to confirm top spot of the standings.
Elliott will hope to continue his run of strong performances when Liverpool host Premier League strugglers Ipswich Town on Saturday.
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Liverpool need just a point in their final clash to be sure of finishing top of the league phase of the Champions League
