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      in Soccer

      Inside ex-Man Utd star Odion Ighalo’s £1m orphanage in Nigeria that looks after kids from humble backgrounds

      by

      Odion Ighalo was just 17 years old when he left Nigeria, but he never forgot his roots.The former Man Utd star, who faces off against Chelsea in the Club World Cup for Saudi club Al Hilal, used his earnings from the game to fund an orphanage in his home town.
      Ex-Man Utd striker Odion Ighalo opened an orphanage in Nigeria
      In December 2017, the Ighalo Orphanage Home was opened in Ijegun, a humble suburb in northern Lagos.
      Super Eagles star Ighalo grew up 50km up the road in Agejunle.
      “Life was tough growing up in Ajegunle and I vowed that if I eventually had a breakthrough, I’ll give back to the society that made me,” the 32-year-old said on the Foundation’s website.
      “Life’s challenges were hard enough even with both parents at my side.
      The Ighalo Orphanage Home is in Lagos where the striker grew up
      Ighalo knows the challenge for youngsters growing up in Nigeria
      Ighalo’s orphanage looks after children up to the age of 18
      The logo of the orphanage depicts Ighalo celebrating a goal
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      “It goes without saying that orphans have it even worse and it gladdens my heart that life has offered me this rare privilege to be guiding light in their life.”
      Ighalo reportedly spent 500 million Nigerian naira – around £1m – to build the home.
      It houses between 30 to 40 children and has separate apartments for boys and girls.
      They take babies and pledge to look after them until they reach 18, teaching academic studies and sports.
      Igahlo never forgot his roots despite playing in countries as far as ChinaCredit: Instagram @ighalojude
      Ighalo spent three years playing at Vicarage Road for WatfordCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Ighalo was joined at the opening by former Nigeria internationals Peter Rufai, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen and ex-Super Falcons keeper Ann Chiejine.
      Spotted on the outside of the orange walls is the orphanage’s logo.
      It depicts Ighalo sliding on his knees and raising his arms to the sky as he celebrates a goal, with the inscription ‘God is able’.
      “I dream of affecting lives and this is one step in the right direction,” he said.
      Ighalo represented Nigeria at the World Cup in Russia in 2018Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “I hope lives will be positively changes, the aims and goals of the orphanage fully met and the children who are the leaders of tomorrow preserved.”
      Before opening the orphanage, Ighalo found other ways to help.
      The devout Christian would send a chunk of his wages back to Nigeria in order to help children, schools and widows living below the poverty line.
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      In 2015, he told the Daily Mirror: “My family are No1. Every month I send money back home to them, but I also send donations to the less privileged because I come from poverty.
      “I send money to kids, to schools, and I’m taking care of around 45 widows, women who have no husbands, and I’m trying to start a charity organisation to give something back.
      “I know what it’s like to have nothing.” More

    • 263 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke’s luxury £20m Malibu beach home that was set to be Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed’s pad

      by

      WITH a net worth of around £8.2billion, Stan Kroenke is literally laughing all the way to the bank.The Arsenal and Los Angeles Rams owner collects properties like he’s playing a game of Monopoly, once splashing £500million on a ranch in Texas that’s so big it could fit New York and Los Angeles inside it.
      Inside Stan Kroenke’s beachside Malibu homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Kroenke paid around £8million for the property in 1998Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Arsenal and Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke is said to have a £8.2bn fortuneCredit: Reuters
      ‘Silent Stan’ also owns properties in Colorado and Montana, as well as an £11m penthouse inside the five-star Montage hotel in Beverly Hills.
      But his most high-profile purchase came in 1998, when the 74-year-old splashed around £8m on this incredible home in Malibu.
      The beach side property was originally owned by Dodi Fayed, and was set to be home for the movie producer and Princess Diana before their tragic deaths in a car accident.
      WHAT £20M GETS YOU
      Found on the Pacific Coast Highway, the property sits above the beautiful Paradise Cove.
      While the vast five-acre piece of land it sits on stretches from the road all the way through to the sand and sea.
      The home, also previously owned by Julie Andrews, includes a contemporary mansion, as well as a Mediterranean-style residence which acts as a guest home.
      The main house features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, has a stunning swimming pool and boasts a tennis court.
      There are three reception rooms, while the kitchen opens into a pool deck, and the living room has a limestone fireplace and pine beams.
      An incredible glass domed dining room with views on all sides can also be found on the ground floor.
      The property boasts this stunning master bedroomCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      A spiral staircase leads to the first floor and master bedroomCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      There are three reception roomsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The stunning swimming pool looks inviting for a dipCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The dining room is dome shaped with windows surrounding itCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The main property boasts six bathroomsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Another reception room features beamed ceilingsCredit: Online USA
      The kitchen offers plenty of space for a budding chefCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Luscious gardens surround the five-acre lotCredit: Online USA
      Upstairs, the master bedroom suite has a beamed ceiling, its own sitting room, two bathrooms, and there’s plenty of closet space.
      High-profile neighbours include Friends actress Courteney Cox, U2 guitarist The Edge, former supermodel Cindy Crawford and pop star Lady Gaga.FIT FOR A PRINCESS
      Before Kroenke bought the compound, Princess Diana had her heart set on living there.
      Dodi, the son of the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, bought the home for around £7m – just months before he and Lady Di were tragically killed in Paris.
      And Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell revealed that it was set to be the pair’s secluded pad.
      Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana planned on making it their home before their tragic deathCredit: Reuters
      A year after Dodi and Princess Diana died Kroenke bought the propertyCredit: Arsenal FC – Getty
      Kroenke’s Malibu beach pad is now worth around £20mCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Neighbours include Lady Gaga and Cindy CrawfordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}latest football features.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      “A lovely house … saw all the plans for it. It was going to be in Malibu,” he told ABC News in an interview in 2007.
      “We sat on the floor, spread out all the maps and the layout of the house.
      “She said, ‘This is our new life, just won’t it be great, think of the lifestyle the boys — nobody’s judgemental here in America, you don’t have the class system, you don’t have the establishment.”‘ More

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      in Soccer

      Footballers who were ball boys, from Man City star Phil Foden to Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi

      by

      EVERY kid dreams of watching a game close to the action and being just yards away from their heroes.So these lads must’ve been delighted to have been ball boys for their local clubs and witnessed the pro’s skills in close quarters.

      But, going one better is actually being the star on the pitch – which these former ball boys achieved.
      Here are the ball boys who became footballers.
      PHIL FODEN
      As Stevan Jovetic celebrates scoring for Manchester City against Swansea, a boy in the background looks on.
      And it’s fair to say he hasn’t changed one bit!
      It is, of course, Phil Foden – who shared the image on social media next to a photo of him scoring against Liverpool.
      He captioned the snap: “How it started… how it’s going.”
      Phil Foden is instantly recognisable as a ball boy from 2014Credit: AFP – Getty
      CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI
      Every now and again a ball boy becomes a star of the show.
      And that’s exactly what happened to a 13-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi when Samuel Eto’o scored the third goal of his hat-trick against Manchester United in 2014.
      The Cameroon star celebrated his strike with a smiling Hudson-Odoi as they held each other’s hands.
      A 14-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi is overjoyed by Samuel Eto’o scoringCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      WESLEY SNEIJDER
      The mercurial Dutch playmaker joined Ajax as a youth in 1991 – four years before they won the Champions League.
      It was a team that boasted the best players of their generation, including the likes of Clarence Seedorf, Marc Overmars, Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert.
      The old head keeping the youngsters on the right path was the experienced Frank Rijkaard, who Sneijder grabbed a snap with when he was on ball boy duty.
      Frank Rijkaard obliges Wesley Sneijder with a photo ahead of an Ajax game
      CARLOS TEVEZ
      Tevez is instantly recognisable as a young lad in this brilliant photo with Boca Junior legends Juan Roman Riquelme.
      He came through the ranks of the Argentinian club before making his debut aged just 16.
      Carlos would return to La Bombonera in his elderly years and become a cult hero, just like Riquelme and the club’s greatest icon Diego Maradona.
      A young Tevez poses with Juan Roman Riquleme before ball boy duty at Boca
      BERNARDO SILVA
      Before he became a Manchester City star, Portuguese international Bernardo Silva had Benfica in his blood.
      He was a graduate from their famed academy, where the likes of Ederson and Renato Sanches played at around the same time.
      And before that, in 2008, he was reportedly a ball boy in a Europa League tie against Napoli.
      Bernardo Silva had Benfica in his blood and was reportedly a ball boy for a 2008 Europa League tie against Napoli
      DONNY VAN DE BEEK
      At Ajax, being a ball boy is all part of the graduation progress and designed to teach you responsibilty.
      You also get to meet your heroes, as a keen Donny van de Beek was happy to share on social media in this throwback snap.
      And Luiz Suarez was happy to oblige for the quick photo with the aspiring youngster.
      At Ajax being a ball boy is part of your graduation from the youth team, as Donny van de Beek discovered
      MATTHIJS DE LIGT
      Like van de Beek, de Ligt rose through the ranks at Ajax to become a superstar at Juventus.
      And he also got his obligatory snap with Luis Suarez before a game for the Dutch giants.
      The pair could even face off against each other in this season’s Champions League.
      Matthijs de Ligt poses with Luis Suarez before an Ajax game
      BRAHIM DIAZ
      The Real Madrid forward was a ball boy at Malaga in 2012, where he can be seen in the background watching Santi Cazorla and Isco celebrating a goal.
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      Fast forward seven years, he joins Real Madrid, and then teams up with the man he saw shining on the Costa del Sol.
      Diaz even provided the Spanish international with an assist for a goal against Huesca, prompting Isco to share the below image to his followers with the caption: “You make me old”.
      For the record, there’s only seven years between them.
      A young Brahim Diaz looks on as Isco and Santi Cazorla celebrate a Malaga goal in 2012Credit: AFP – Getty

      Callum Hudson-Odoi calls for ‘massive change in football’ as Chelsea winger talks racism with Paul Canoville More

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      Meet Djed Spence, the Arsenal transfer target who is pals with Emile Smith Rowe and tearing it up for Nottingham Forest

      by

      DJED SPENCE was so good against Arsenal in the FA Cup that not only did he draw sky-high praise from Ian Wright, but he has since become a Gunners target.And were he to make the move to the Emirates he would be linking up with old youth team-mate Emile Smith Rowe.
      Smith-Rowe (second left) and Spence (second right) were teammates growing up
      The pair played for South London side Junior Elite – who also produced Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka – as kids.
      Yet despite his wonderful display in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win over Mikel Arteta’s men in the third round last month shooting him to prominence, Spence’s journey into professional football has been far from easy.
      In fact, the Croydon lad was almost written off on multiple occasions due to question marks over his technical ability, only to be handed another shot because of his diligence and desire.
      Colin Omogbehin runs Junior Elite and remembers well the talented under-10 team Spence played in alongside Smith Rowe and Manchester United youngster Di’Shon Bernard, who is currently on loan at Hull.
      It was Omogbehin who ended up taking a 12-year-old Spence to Fulham, where he worked in the academy and is now the Cottagers’ joint-head coach of the Under-23s.
      The master-developer told SunSport: “I wouldn’t say he was anywhere near the best but he had an unbelievable desire to be part of the best and he worked hard.
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      “A lot of those players in that group like Emile, Di’Shon and one or two others who haven’t made it but were really good players, they ended up getting recruited and moving onto clubs before Djed. 
      “He was the last one out of that group of players to move to a professional club which was Fulham, with myself. 
      “There were always doubts. He didn’t find it easy through the years. 
      “He was always one of the ones they weren’t sure to keep on. But he’d always find a way to do well enough to stay inside the system.”
      Spence benefitted from a strong support network with his mum Aisha playing a prominent role in spurring on the youngest of her four children.
      Aisha, who also has three girls including Karla-Simone who is an actress, would help wash the kit for Junior Elite while step-dad Martin used to run the lines.
      Omogbehin recalled: “She was the one who told him he needed to start working even harder. 
      Spence joined the Fulham Academy at the age of 12
      “She would take him out, do extras with him and push him and push him and eventually he got into the A team when he wasn’t the most skilful player. 
      “He had great athleticism and technically we did get him better in the end and now he’s ready. But he wasn’t a natural like Emile. He’s really really worked hard at his game.”
      On taking him to Fulham, Omogbehin helped Spence remodel himself from winger to a full-back as he felt it was more suited to his game.
      Slowly but surely the youngster developed his technical ability, in what is an inspiring example to any wannabe footballer of how far hard work can take you.
      Omogbehin added: “He had all the tools, and that’s what we look for. He was athletic and had a desire. 
      “Once you have those kind of qualities, then the technical stuff, as long as you get them at a good age, you can teach them the rest. You’ve got to saturate them with the ball.
      “By the time he went to Fulham, it started to come out about 13, 14, 15.
      “But he was always one who in his reviews, it said, ‘You need to do better, you need to do better’. But I saw a kid who every time his back was against the wall, he really stepped up.”
      Spence impressed for Nottingham Forest against Arsenal earlier this monthCredit: Alamy Live News
      Even at Under-16 level, Spence was one of the last in his group to get a scholarship.
      He was part of a talented bunch at that age at Fulham including the Sessegnon twins, Ryan and Steven, as well as Matt O’Riley, who this month joined Celtic from MK Dons.
      The Cottagers decided not to keep him on though, a decision they may now be ruing, after his standout displays on loan at Forest from Middlesbrough this term.
      Following the Arsenal FA Cup win, Gunners legend Wright said: “That was one of the best right-back performances I have seen for a very long time. A very, long time.
      “If we are talking about right-backs performing at an unbelievable level, we’re talking Reece James and Trent (Alexander-Arnold).
      “But I have not seen a combative, technical, swashbuckling performance like that for a very long time.
      “I said to him afterwards, ‘whatever’s happening, whatever you’re doing, the level you’ve just shown us here is the level you have to be consistently hitting, Djed.”
      It is not just Wrighty who took notice.
      Arsenal are looking at him as a possible replacement for Hector Bellerin this summer, while Italian giants Roma and Inter Milan are said to be watching developments.
      Tottenham were reported to have had two offers rejected on deadline day.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      He has another chance to show everyone what he can do when Forest host Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
      Yet it seems only a matter of time before Spence makes it to the top level – which not many of his youth coaches would have predicted.
      But, as Omogbehin said: “In terms of putting up with adversity, this boy has demonstrated on numerous occasions from a young age that he can deal with that and he’s up for the fight.” More

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      Chelsea legend John Terry’s boasts whopping £47m property empire, including £16m house with £150k astro turf golf course

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      HE’S estimated to be worth £38million, so it’s no surprise footie ace John Terry and his family are accustomed to living in one of Surrey’s most sought-after areas.And the former England and Chelsea defender obviously has time on his hands since retiring from his £170,000-a-week playing career in 2018, turning his hand to coaching and property development.
      John Terry, pictured with wife Toni, has invested vast amounts of time and money on his property portfolio and has made millions
      John Terry previously owned both the red-brick mansion (top right) and white nine-bed property (bottom right) and now wants to tear down the third property (bottom left) and build two new propertiesCredit: INS News
      The real estate tycoon has already made almost £20m in property deals, and was granted planning permission to bulldoze one of his mansions and replace it with two new luxury abodes – a move that could make him another £20m.
      Here, Sun Online looks at Terry’s booming property portfolio…
      Latest £20m venture
      Features: A bar, games room, private gym
      Estimated profit: £20m
      Terry has been a fan of the Surrey area of Oxshott – a ten-minute drive from Chelsea’s Cobham training ground – for more than a decade.
      He bought Tandem House, his third property in the area for £4.5m and won planning permission to demolish it.
      John Terry is set to build two new mega mansions
      The Chelsea legend is set to knock down a £4.5m mansion to build two new ones
      The 41-year-old star plans to build two luxury houses in its place – one six-bed, and one four-bed.
      Both properties will include a kitchen diner, family room, drawing room, bar and games room.
      The larger property will also boast a pool and gym.
      £6.5m former family home
      Features: Gym, Astro turf putting green, cinema room
      Profit: £2.8m
      John Terry’s former family home went back on the market for £5.5mCredit: Rightmove
      Terry and wife Toni’s former six-bed family home in Oxshott went back on the market for £5.5m, however he was forced to slash the price because of coronavirus.
      Dad-of-two Terry reportedly bought the property for £2.2m in 2003 and sold it for £5m in 2013.
      Keen golfer Terry installed a small Astro turf putting green in the one acre of sprawling gardens.
      An indoor swimming pool is just one of the many features the Surrey home boastsCredit: Rightmove
      The stunning former home of John Terry went back on the marketCredit: Rightmove
      Situated on a private road on the prestigious Crown Estate, the home boasts one of Surrey’s most exclusive addresses.
      The property was renovated by interior designer Louise Bradley, and has four huge bedrooms in the main house, with two additional rooms and a shower in the guest wing above the triple garage.
      £16m super-mansion sold to the Sultan of Oman
      Features: Fishing lake, swimming pool and sauna
      Profit: £10m
      John Terry had planned to move into this nine-bed property, but then received an offer he couldn’t refuseCredit: INS News
      Clearly a fan of the location, Terry bought his second mansion a stone’s throw from his former home for £1.8m in 2007, and spent £4m renovating the nine-bed property.
      The white house dwarfed Terry’s neighbouring pile, and when building work began in 2011, it was believed to involve putting in a 33 x 40ft indoor pool, a steam room, sauna and a fishing lake.
      The house was perfect for the footballer as it was only visible to the public from the air and boasted a separate wing for staff, and a visitor annexe in the opposite building.
      He had planned to move his family into the property but when the Sultan of Oman made him “an offer he couldn’t refuse” in 2014, he sold it.
      According to reports, Terry made at least £10m profit on the £16m sale.Colin Montgomerie’s £5m mansion
      Features: half-acre of land, seven beds and staff accommodation 
      Worth: £5m
      John Terry and wife Toni have made some very clever property moves
      In 2014 Terry bought the £4.35m former mansion owned by golfer Colin Montgomerie, downsizing from his ‘dream home’.
      It was here that in 2017 the star was left shaken after robbers broke into the home, stealing £4m of loot. 
      The property is just down the road from Terry’s previous two properties and boasts a two-bed staff annex.
      While smaller than his last place, the seven-bed property is still situated on a half-acre of land, and features six bathrooms and four reception rooms.
      He reportedly spent £150k replacing the lawn with Astro turf, and the property’s value is thought to have risen to £5m.
      Based on his track record of snapping up houses in the area, Terry’s neighbours will be keeping a very beady eye on his next move – waiting for the bulldozers to move in. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo turns 37 on February 5 as Man Utd legend shares birthday with football icons including Neymar & Tevez

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      IF you should happen to have a child born on February 5, go out and buy them a football and a pair of boots immediately…Why’s that you ask? Well, there is a pretty good chance they will go on to become one of the best footballers on the planet, that’s why.
      Cristiano Ronaldo turns 37 today on February 5 – along with a number of other footballersCredit: Reuters
      Neymar joins CR7 in being born on February 5 in a freakish coincidenceCredit: Splash News
      If you don’t believe me, just check out a list of some of the names to be born on the fifth day of the second month…
      For starters, how about Manchester United and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo?
      The Red Devils icon, 37 today, has won almost everything there is to win in football – the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, the Champions League, European Championship, the Ballon d’Or, you name it, he’s won it.
      All that to go with a string of stunning partners, babies No5 and No6 on the way, a host of top cars, a modelling career and luxury homes all over the planet – CR7 has done pretty well for himself.
      Then there’s Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil wiz Neymar – who cost a cool £198million – another to born on February 5 and is 30 today.
      But it’s not just those two – Carlos Tevez was also born on February 5 and will celebrate his 38th birthday back in his native Argentina.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      The Argentine star has played for Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus in his distinguished career before becoming the highest-paid player of all time, taking home £615,000-a-week in China.
      However, after a dud spell in the Chinese Super League, Tevez returned to boyhood club Boca Juniors but stepped away back in June and remains a free agent.
      That’s already three of the best players on the planet, but there are also stars from years gone by making the list, such as Gheorghe Hagi.
      Likened to a certain Argentinian ace, Hagi was given the nickname “The Maradona of the Carpathians” for his skill.
      Elsewhere a host of current and ex-Premier League also share the February 5 birthday.
      Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes, 32, and ex-Manchester United ace Adnan Januzaj, 27, were also born on that day.
      Ex-Man City 25-year-old wonderkid Patrick Roberts – now at Sunderland – and Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp, 36, are just two more.
      Stars born on February 5Cristiano Ronaldo – 37Neymar – 30Carlos Tevez – 38Gheorghe Hagi – 57Adnan Januzaj – 27Patrick Roberts – 25Jordan Rhodes – 32Vedran Corluka – 36Rodrigo Palacio – 40Giovanni van Bronckhorst – 47Billy Sharp – 36

      Carlos Tevez is a third world superstar to share the February 5 birthdayCredit: Getty
      Former Tottenham man Vedran Corluka, 36, and ex-Argentina international Rodrigo Palacio, 40, are just two others to make the list, along with former Arsenal ace and now-Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who turns 47 today.
      But the freaky footballing date doesn’t just relate to players…
      West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, 73, and 53-year-old actor Michael Sheen, who played Brian Clough in the film The Damned United, were also born on February 5… the same as ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, 74.
      But what kind of sorcery could possibly hand people born on February 5 this fate?
      Well, world-renowned astrologer Shelley von Strunckel claimed this is no mere coincidence.
      She claimed: “Aquarians are geniuses, they think on their feet. They make a decision quicker than anyone else.”
      So there you have it. It’s a done deal: if you’re born on February 5, you’ll become a star…
      Romania legend Gheorghe Hagi was born on February 5, as well as modern-day starsCredit: PA:Empics
      Ex-Manchester United forward Adnan Januzaj is another to be born on February 5Credit: Getty Images More

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      in Soccer

      Footballers who love to spend their downtime fishing, like Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Sergio Aguero

      by

      NOW here’s a good way to unwind from the pressures of the game.These footballers like to spend their downtime by relaxing with a spot of fishing.
      Gazza shows off a catch and is one of many footballers to love fishingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Memphis Depay, John Terry and Sergio Aguero have been known to dangle their rods into lake and sea hoping to catch a bite.
      While former England heroes Gazza and David Seaman also fancy themselves as fisherman.
      Let SunSport give you a guide to the best anglers in football.
      Cristiano Ronaldo
      Cristiano Ronaldo caught the fishing bug in his hometown of Madeira
      Ronaldo must know a thing or two about fishing coming from Madeira.
      The Portuguese city is the capital of sport fishing, where a keen fisher will look to catch marlin, wahoo and giant bluefin tuna.
      That’ll make a lovely seafood stew, for sure.

      Sergio Aguero
      Aguero, pictured on a fishing trip in Miami, once reportedly went fishing in BlackpoolCredit: Instagram @10aguerosergiokun

      Man City legend Aguero enjoyed the catch of the day on a recent fishing trip to EsquinaCredit: Instagram

      You wouldn’t have guessed that the Man City forward loves to angle.
      Back in 2014, the Argentine took up fishing when he was out injured and he still hasn’t given up his favourite pastime.
      The 33-year-old, who retired in December because of heart problems, caught a whopper on a recent trip to Esquina in the Argentinian province of Corrientes.
      David Beckham
      David Beckham caught this fancy Icelandic Salmon back in 2016
      Never one to miss out, Becks showed off his greatest catch in 2016.
      The Manchester United legend posted this image on Instagram fly fishing and catching a Icelandic Salmon.
      He’s also been known to be a fan of sea and coarse fishing.
      Memphis Depay
      Former Red Devil Memphis Depay used to go fishing in Holland with his grandfatherCredit: Peter Jordan – The Sun
      When he was a young boy, playing football wasn’t his only love.
      At the age of 10 he loved joining his grandfather Keas Schensema for fishing trips in Moordrecth.
      He even managed a small catch in this throwback pic.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic
      Ibrahimovic has his own fishing lake and once caught an impressive pike
      He has a tattoo of a koi-carp on his backCredit: AFP – Getty
      Ibrahimovic, now of AC Milan, probably considers himself to be the best fisherman in the world.
      And with this pike catch, few would argue that he’s got angling skills too.
      Ibra boasts his own private fishing lake at home in Sweden, while he also has a tattoo of a koi carp on his back.
      Lee Bowyer
      Hardman Bowyer has his own fishing lake called Etang de BowsCredit: Collect
      The former Charlton and Leeds United hero loves a tackle off the field as much as he did on it.
      The Birmingham City boss runs his own carp fishing lake named ‘Etang de Bows’ in France, which he bought in 2014.
      Maybe that’s what’s calmed him down over the years!
      Robin Van Persie
      Van Persie once caught a shark on a family fishing trip to Turkey
      While on holiday in Turkey in 2015, the former United star took his family fishing.
      Unbelievably, his bait managed to catch a shark while he was deep sea fishing.
      He wrote on Facebook: “Unaware this was going to be our best fishing day ever!!!
      “What a catch! Nobody got hurt and of course we released the shark.”
      Tony Hibbert
      Ex-Everton full-back Hibbert is so obsessed with fishing he now makes a business out of it.
      In 2013, he bought the 33-acre Lac de Premiere, a carp fishery in the village of Villiers-en-Prayeres, northern France.
      And since retiring from the beautiful game in 2016, he’s devoted his time in running a venue welcoming fisherman from all over the world.
      Ex-Everton ace Tony Hibbert owns a carp lake in FranceCredit: Instagram @lacdepremiere
      John Terry
      Chelsea legend John Terry loves catching carpCredit: BNPS
      Now that he’s retired, he’ll have more time on his hands for one of his favourite hobbies.
      The Chelsea legend loves carp, which is why he built a lake in the grounds of his mansion.
      Who needs Fortnite?
      Bobby Zamora
      Zamora is no stranger to catching a big oneCredit: Twitter
      JT’s close pal, Bobby Zamora, has been a huge admirer of fishing for a long time.
      The ex-QPR and West Ham striker, who is now a club ambassador at Brighton, loves a Bobby dazzler – with his biggest catch a 39lb 12oz carp.

      David Seaman
      Seaman was never caught flapping when he fishedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The Arsenal and England legend might be football’s best angler, having done it for most of his life.
      Safe Hands, as he was nicknamed, was skilled at everything from fly to coarse fishing.
      Surely he’s never been left flapping by the river bank?
      Paul Gascoigne
      Gazza once fell off a jetty into a lake on a fishing tripCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Last, but certainly not least, Gazza often went on trips with Seaman during Euro 96 on the advice of manager Terry Venables.
      But famously, Gascoigne fell off jetty into a lake near their team hotel before the Spain game in his full England team tracksuit.
      Cue fits of laughter from the former England stopper as his mate asked him to pull him out.
      If only we were a fly on the water. More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd flops who were a success after leaving Old Trafford following Martial’s move to Sevilla, including Lukaku

      by

      PLAYING for Manchester United can be a heavy burden for some players, even the very best.And many find their way again after moving away from Old Trafford to the frustration of supporters.
      These former Man Utd stars flourished away from Old Trafford
      Anthony Martial, a £56million signing from Monaco, failed to hit the heights expected of him and will be hoping a move to Sevilla reignites his career.
      He will be be buoyed by these seven who did especially well after leaving the Premier League giants behind.
      From a Uruguayan legend to a Dutch star who later earned a transfer to Barcelona, here are the flops for whom life got much better after leaving Old Trafford.
      ROMELU LUKAKU
      The Belgium centre forward is definitely the one that got away.
      Often, Lukaku was deemed not good enough by supporters who felt he was overweight and cumbersome.
      After cutting a more shredded figure at Inter Milan, where a new diet and fitness regime saw the striker lose 16lbs and get into the best shape of his career, he helped the Serie A club land the title.
      That prompted Chelsea to splash £97.5m on Lukaku, although he’s yet to live up to that price tag at the Bridge.
      Romelu Lukaku lost his way at Old Trafford and was criticised by supportersCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      After shifting over a stone in weight, Lukaku became one of Serie A’s most feared strikers at InterCredit: AFP
      MEMPHIS DEPAY
      In 2015, United shelled out £25m on the Dutch star on the insistence of Louis van Gaal.
      But Depay looked lost at sea on our shores, playing 53 times and managing just seven goals.
      Two seasons later he was sold to Lyon for £20m, where he rediscovered his form.
      In 2021, after scoring 76 goals in 178 games, he joined Barcelona on a free transfer.
      Memphis Depay struggled for goals at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      After moving to Lyon, Depay has re-emerged for club and country – signing for Barcelona
      ANGEL DI MARIA
      It’s not uncommon for Argentinian stars to lose their way at Old Trafford – with Juan Sebastian Veron also struggling in Manchester.
      Di Maria was a marquee signing in 2014 for a then-British transfer record fee of £59.7m.
      In his only season, he managed just four goals in 32 games and soon fell out of favour with boss van Gaal.
      A year later he was sold to PSG for £40m, where he has scored double figures in goals in five of his six seasons, as well as been integral in four Ligue 1-winning campaigns.
      Angel Di Maria was a marquee signing for the Red Devils costing £60mCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      After his Manchester United nightmare, Di Maria found his feet at PSGCredit: AFP
      WILFRIED ZAHA
      In 2013, United moved to sign Zaha from Crystal Palace for £15m – Sir Alex Ferguson’s final acquisition for the club.
      A year later he found himself out of favour under new boss David Moyes and was loaned out to Cardiff City.
      Zaha would later say he never felt he was given a fair chance at Old Trafford.
      He was loaned to the Eagles, who eventually bought him back for £10m – and he’s gone on to become one of the Premier League’s biggest danger men.
      Wilfried Zaha argued that he didn’t get a chance at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      After returning to Crystal Palace in 2015, Zaha became one of the Premier League’s best playersCredit: Getty
      DALEY BLIND
      A lot of Blind’s problems at Old Trafford stemmed from where managers thought he should play.
      Was he a left-back? Should he play in a midfield holding role? Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho just couldn’t work him out.
      In 2018, the Dutch international returned to Ajax, where he has won two league titles and contributed to the club’s brilliant Champions League run in 2019… playing at centre-back.
      And at the Euros he starred for Holland.
      Daley Blind struggled in various positions at Manchester United, including left-back and in midfieldCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      At Ajax, as a ball-playing centre half, Blind has impressedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      DIEGO FORLAN
      Forlan was a costly (at the time) £7m buy for United in 2002.
      However, in his first 13 Premier League games and five Champions League matches he was ridiculed for failing to hit the back of the net.
      United sold him to LaLiga’s Villarreal, where he was an instant hit scoring 25 league goals and winning the Spanish Golden Boot and the European Golden Shoe in his first season.
      He repeated that trick in 2009 at Atletico Madrid – scoring a sensational 32 goals in 33 games.
      In his first 18 games with the club, Diego Forlan failed to score for Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Forlan found his shooting boots in LaLiga, first with Villarreal and then with Atletico Madrid
      RADAMEL FALCAO
      The Colombian striker, now 35, is plying his trade at Rayo Vallecano where he has five goals in 13 games.
      Before that, he was scoring goals at Galatasaray – 20 in 43 games.
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      But at Old Trafford, on loan from Monaco, he really struggled with just four goals in 29 games, although a serious knee injury and a struggle to initially return to fitness hindered him.
      After his Manchester United nightmare, a poor spell at Chelsea followed.
      But a return to Monaco helped Falcao find his Midas touch again. He scored 70 goals in his last three seasons with the French giants before continuing his rejuvenation in his twilight years in Turkey.

      Radamel Falcao’s loan move to Manchester United was a disasterCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Returning to Monaco was Falcao’s saving grace and he scored 70 goals in three seasons with the club after spell in EnglandCredit: Reuters More