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      in Soccer

      Meet incoming Man Utd transfer signing Joshua Zirkzee, who was rejected by Bayern Munich and dates a JD Sports model

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      JOSHUA ZIRKZEE will add much-needed firepower to Manchester United’s attack next season.The Dutch forward, 23, seems destined to play his football at Old Trafford next season, after the Red Devils agreed to pay his £34million release clause to his club Bologna.Joshua Zirkzee has taken Serie A by stormCredit: AFPDutch forward Zirkzee featured for Netherlands in the EurosCredit: GettyZirkzee cut short a holiday in Florida and visit to Disney World to link with the Netherlands squadCredit: instagram @zirkzeePersonal terms have also been reportedly agreed, with Zirkzee set to put pen to paper on a deal imminently.The 6ft 4in striker is on international duty with the Netherlands at Euro 2024, although he has only played three minutes in the tournament.After bouncing around around Dutch clubs Ado Den Haag and Feyenoord as a youth, he was snapped up by Bayern Munich when he was 16.However, he failed to establish himself with the Bavarians and was sent on loans to Parma and Anderlecht, before moving permanently to Bologna.Read more Man Utd newsIn Serie A, he earned his stripes – receiving a glowing endorsement from Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.While he also showed his commitment to his country, cutting short a dream holiday to Disneyland to join Ronald Koeman’s squad, following a late call-up.Off the pitch, Zirkzee featured in a JD Sports ad alongside his beautiful girlfriend, Celina Kerr.He has also appeared as a model for urban leisure wear brand, No Face No Case.Most read in FootballEarly yearsZirkzee has admitted in the past he had no ‘Plan B’. He only wanted to be a footballer growing up.He grew up in Spijkenisse, South Netherlands where he spent most of his time playing on the Johan Cruyff football courts.Watch Man Utd star Antony show off hidden talent as fans say ‘he’s finding another job already'”I think what the USA has with basketball courts, we have in Holland with the five-a-side pitches,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.”It makes you tough, you have to be smarter, you have to find a way to keep up with guys that are bigger and stronger than you. I learned on the streets – and that’s where creativity comes to life.”In 2016, after three years with Ado Den Haag, Zirkzee signed with Feyenoord.His heavyweight boxer stature, even evident then, saw him stand out among his peers.In under a year with the Dutch giants, Bayern Munich made Zirkzee an offer that he couldn’t refuse.It was a bitter split from Feyenoord, as the Germans swooped in – convincing the then 16-year-old his development would be best served with them.But in truth…It really wasn’t.Zirkzee did make his breakthrough into the first team in 2019, and appeared destined to be their next No9.He scored twice in his first eight minutes of Bundesliga action, across games against Freiburg and Wolfsburg at the tender age of 18.As youngster, Zirkzee rose through the ranks at Bayern MunichCredit: GettyBut Zirkzee failed to get a run in the first team and sent out on loan for game timeCredit: GettyHowever, despite playing a small part in Bayern’s treble-winning campaign, he struggled to assert himself as a starter.In 2021, understanding his need to play more football, Zirkzee was sent on loan to Parma.He would play just four games until a knee injury meant he had to return back to Munich.Four months later, he would join Belgians Anderlecht for a season long loan.Not only would it put him in the shop window, it would allow him to build his confidence up playing regularly.SuccessThe move proved to be a masterstroke for both player and club.Zirkzee would find his feet playing under Vincent Kompany, who once blasted him for a poor performance during a team talk in a leaked video that surfaced online.Still, it got the best out of the target man.He was the club’s top scorer with a 16 goals in 38 league games.Vincent Kompany lays into Zirkzee in a video that circulated online of a dressing room teamtalkZirkzee returned to Bayern Munich after his Anderlecht loan, but was surplus to requirementsCredit: GettyZirkzee also showed he wasn’t a selfish player, recording nine assists for his team-mates during the campaign.After his successful loan, there was talk he might get his chance at the Allianz Arena.However, an £8million offer from Bologna, which included a 50 per cent sell on clause was too good to turn down.Big breakZirkzee was brought to the Italian club to partner former West Ham man Marko Arnautovic up front.A month after he was unveiled, Thiago Motta became boss. The Italian had different ideas.Arnautovic got the nod, with Zirkzee confessing: “I wasn’t ready mentally, not like Motta wanted anyway.”The understudy sat on the bench and watched the Austrian forward in action – learning about leading the line and the movement Motta wanted from his lone striker.At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Zirkzee would get his opportunity after Arnautovic was sold to Inter Milan.”The time came to take a step forward,” he explained to the Corriere, “to take on more responsibility, to demonstrate that I was ready and take advantage of the opportunity.”Zirkzee signed for Bologna where he would go on to get his big breakInitially, Zirkzee played second fiddle to Marko Arnautovic – getting the odd appearanceCredit: GettyAnd he did just thatSpearheading Bologna’s attack, Zirkzee would take his chance.A stunning season in the club’s history saw them earn Champions League qualification for the very first time.The Dutchman’s contribution was integral to their success – scoring 11 goals and providing five assists.Former Torino coach Ivan Juric compared him to Zlatan Ibrahimovic after one encounter between the clubs.”He’s an atypical striker that manages to score a lot of goals,” the Croatian added.Ibrahimovic, a senior advisor with AC Milan, said of Zirkzee: “I like him, he’s a good player with very good potential.”It would prompt I Rossoneri to plot a move for the talent, although it appears he has always had his eyes set on joining Manchester United.Soon, Zirkzee became a fans’ favourite under boss Thiago MottaCredit: Alamy6ft 4in forward Zirkzee was also praised by Zlatan Ibahimovic who recognised his talentCredit: Rexread more sport featuresModel lifeAway from the pitch, Zirkzee reportedly dates the stunning model Celina.The influencer and model boasts almost 100,000 followers on Instagram.She reportedly graduated in Berlin with a degree in Media and Communication Management.They have kept their personal lives private on social media, but they were once seen embracing each other on a Valentine’s Day video shoot with JD Sports.The couple wore unisex tracksuits sold by the sports wear giant in the digital ad campaign, which was shared by Celina on her Instagram feed to her followers.READ MORE SUN STORIESCelina Kerr reportedly dates Man Utd bound ZirkzeeCredit: Instagram @ celinajadakerrStunning Celina is a mode who has over 100,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @ celinajadakerrZirkzee and Celina shot a JD Sports promo campaign on Valentine’s DayZirkzee has also modelled for streetwear brand No Face No CaseHandsome Zirkzee has also modelled streetwear by online brand, No Face No Case.United fans will be hoping the towering frontman is a model pro, too. More

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      in Boxing

      I worked in an ice cream parlour and dreamed of becoming an actor… now I’m following my dad’s iconic boxing footsteps

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      SAMI HAMED is hoping the cream will rise to the top of his boxing career having been inspired to follow his legendary dad into the sport.The 26-year-old is the eldest son of British boxing icon Naseem Hamed – who lit up the sport in the 1990s and early 2000s. Sami Hamed with his famous father Prince NaseemCredit: @princesamihamedSami is now following his dad into boxingCredit: @princesamihamedBrothers Aadam Hamed and SamiBut the Hamed name looks set to remain in the sport for years to come through Naz’s sons Aadam and Sami. Aadam is already 1-0 and signed to Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren – who guided his dad to superstardom decades earlier. Whereas older brother Sami has signed a deal with Misfits Boxing, home to celebrity-style crossover fights. He debuts on August 31 in Dublin on the undercard of YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI and does so as the son of a legend. READ MORE IN BOXINGSami told SunSport: “It’s in my heart and it’s in my DNA. “Obviously, everybody wants to be like their dad but when your dad is knocking everybody out it’s on a another level.”I just want to get in there, I want to show my dad that listen, I can have a good fight as well and pack that dig. “I just want to make my parents proud.”Most read in BoxingSami Hamed: I’m not here to please anyoneSAMI HAMED becomes the latest son of a British boxing legend to try and make his own way in the sport.He follows after Chris Eubank Jr, Conor Benn and Campbell Hatton all followed in the same footsteps. But Hamed will not get drawn into the inevitable comparisons due to come his way. He said: “I’m pretty blessed because my attitude towards the whole thing is, I couldn’t give a c**p what anybody thinks. I’m not here to please anyone.”To be honest, anyone who obviously spends their hard earned money to come and watch me fight, obviously I want to put on a good performance for them.”But in terms of being my dad, me and my brother are never going to be Prince Naseem Hamed, no one’s every going to be that and the sooner people realise that, the better.”CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNeither Sami or Aadam had amateur careers or ever really considered entering the family boxing business.I was forced to flog meat on doorsteps with social media sensation father…now I’m chasing boxing titlesAadam was once a talented tennis player while Sami had his eyes on the big screen – something he is not yet ready to throw the towel in for. He revealed: “We’ve played tennis, football, all of that.”I wanted to be an actor when I was like 12 years old, all the way to like 15, 16. My heart was set, I really wanted to be on the big screen.”I still feel like I’ve got the potential to do that. I could do a couple of years in boxing and even if I carry on fighting but maybe go to Hollywood and chase my dream in that sense.”Prince Naz is believed to have banked over £40million during his prizefighting career – but his sons were made to earn their own cash. I just want to make my parents proud.Naseem Hamed’s son Sami Sami said: “Before this, I was working in retail for like two and a half years, before that I worked in Creams ice cream parlour when I came out of college when I was like 17 or 18.”So for me now, this does really feel like I’m doing something big with myself and I’m cracking on with something that I can love.”Sami believes the work ethic his famous father installed in him as a youngster is what will allow him to excel in boxing.He said: “My dad’s a Yemeni, whether you’ve got lots of money or not he’s still going to raise you like you’re a Yemeni.”He’s always shown me that he’s never just going to give me or let me have my handout. “He’s always going to make me work for my money and to be honest that’s the whole reason I’m here.”I would have never done it if I didn’t have the previous jobs that I’ve had in the past. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I feel like now, this is a massive opportunity to make it for myself.”Sami, who debuts against vlogger Jesse Clarke, has signed a one-year Misfits deal and wants to fight as many as five times in those 12 months.Sami Hamed has signed for Misfits Boxing More

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      in Boxing

      Floyd Mayweather shows off new £1.5million car collection including Rolls-Royce with furry seats – and £85,000 backpack

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER was out to prove why he earned the nickname Money as he showed off his new £1.5million car collection.The boxing legend – who topped Forbes rich list of the decade with over £700MILLION made – has never been shy of flaunting his wealth. Floyd Mayweather showed off his new collection of carsCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherHere is a £250,000 Rolls Royce GhostCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherAnother Rolls Royce was fitted with Gucci pillowsCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherThe seats were all furryCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherMayweather also brought a himalayan Gucci backpack worth £85,000Credit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherWhether it’s showing off his multiple mansions, private jets or expensive watches, Mayweather is known to splash the cash. But among his favourite things to buys are cars – and Mayweather has lots of them. In a recent Instagram post, the unbeaten American gave his 29.9m followers a look into just one of his driveways. Parked out front is a black Rolls Royce Ghost, which costs up to £250,000. READ MORE IN BOXINGSitting next to it was a matching black Rolls-Royce Phantom – priced at close to £380,000 – which has £650 Gucci pillows and furry seats. Mayweather was not done there as he revealed his secret purchase, an £85,000 black Mercedes van which is fitted with an Apple TV and espresso machine.He also got himself McLaren GTS, worth £210,000 and had two more black Rolls Royces down the end of the drive. The ring great did not limit his shopping to just cars as he revealed his brand new himalayan Gucci backpack – which fetched for £85,000. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMayweather is the highest-earning fighter of all time with his wins over Manny Pacquiao, 45, and Conor McGregor, 35, making him over £450m alone. And he continues to box in exhibitions even in retirement, boasting of earning up to £15m at a time. His last came against the grandson of notorious New York crime boss John Gotti – which ended in a DQ win before a brawl broke out in the ring. Mayweather, 47, now prepares to rematch Gotti III, 31, on August 24 in Mexico. Inside Floyd Mayweather’s extravagant lifestyle… Mayweather is a regular on his private jetCredit: Instagram @liramsustielHe travels in styleCredit: Instagram @floydmayweatherMayweather earned over £700m in his boxing careerCredit: Instagram @floydmayweatherHe is boxing’s top earnerCredit: InstagramMayweather is never shy of showing off his carsCredit: Refer to CaptionHe has an impressive collectionCredit: Refer to CaptionInside Floyd Mayweather’s gym where boxing legend trained in sweltering heat & forced sparring partners to arrive at 3am More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Spain ace Rodri’s humble world, from living in student halls as a footballer to private life with rarely-seen Wag

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      RODRI has won it all with Manchester City but he remains one of the most humble footballers around.He could claim Euros glory with Spain as he continues to uphold his reputation as one of the best midfielders in the world.Rodri has maintained a humble lifestyle despite being one of the best players in the worldCredit: GettyHe and girlfriend Laura Iglesias prefer to lead a private lifestyleCredit: GettyThe couple met at universityCredit: MANCHESTER CITYLast season Rodri broke the record for the longest unbeaten streak in European football history, with 74 games, before City were beaten by Real Madrid.His performances have led to Ballon d’Or tips, having finished fifth in the voting for the award last year.But Rodri, 28, has remained grounded and enjoys a modest lifestyle, keeping his personal life, including his relationship with Laura Iglesias, away from the public eye.The Spaniard signed for City for £63million in 2019 and is now believed to earn a staggering £220,000-a-week, but he has opted not to adopt an extravagant lifestyle.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead, he has driven old cars and combined his football career with studying at university, all the while staying off social media.Ballon boreRodri has arguably been City’s most important player over the last few years.And as a world class player in a world class team, it is unsurprising the midfielder has been touted as a contender to win the Ballon d’Or.Spain team-mate Alvaro Morata claims Rodri would have picked up the gong after winning the Treble last year if he was more marketable.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Rodri is not bothered about winning the award or the acclaim that comes with it.He explained in an interview with The Guardian: “I don’t play football for that. Ivan Toney plays Connect Four and reads a book without LOOKING in hilarious England video after his famous penalty”Maybe people would like me to be more marketable and he sometimes says: ‘Mate, you should…’ but I understand football differently. “I know how it works so I don’t get frustrated if [I get overlooked for the award]. If one day someone wants to reward the work, that’s welcome, but it doesn’t bother me at all.”Rodri finished fifth in the voting for the Ballon d’Or last yearCredit: Sunday TimesLiving in uni hallsRodri joined City from Atletico Madrid but began his career at Villarreal where he spent time living in university halls while he was a student.Shunning renting a posh apartment, Rodri lived in a shared space at the Universidad de Castellon in eastern Spain.He studied Business Studies and Economics, and balanced a precarious football career with his degree, never missing a lecture.His friend Valentin Henarejo recalled their time together, telling Marca: “People were shocked when they saw Rodri, who was playing in the top flight but still living at the university residence.”After the first few days of getting to know him, there was normality.”He shared a space with everyone, he liked being with his friends and sitting on the sofa with everyone.”But, of course, at the start it was strange seeing him playing table tennis or doing his washing.”Rodri lived in halls at uni despite being a professional footballerCredit: X @THURBRUYNEHe earned a degree in Business Studies and EconomicCredit: X @City_ChiefPrivate lifeRodri and his partner Laura like to keep their personal life under wraps – with Laura’s Instagram kept private.Laura is a medical student and is believed to be training to become a surgeon, with the pair meeting at university.Rodri revealed she was confused to see a pro footballer in uni studying, but Laura has now become his biggest supporter and often posts videos of her celebrating her boyfriend’s goals.The four-time Premier League winner revealed he often watches those videos back, saying: “When I get to score, I always have a video of Laura celebrating the goal at home and I always watch it in a locker room.”Laura is studying to be a surgeonCredit: GettyShe has become the midfielder’s biggest fanCredit: GettyModest lifestyleRodri’s stellar performances have led to a big pay rise since his move to the Etihad.But he has turned away from the lavish spending lifestyles favoured by many of his team-mates in favour of a more low-key way of life.When he passed his driver’s test Rodri decided against purchasing a Ferrari or Lamborghini, and instead bought a second-hand Opel Corsa from an elderly lady.His friend Valentin said: “One time he told me that some friends were ‘crazy’ for buying nice cars, all that mattered was that it takes you from A to B and that’s all.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRodri has also stuck to a strict regime during his career with training taking precedence above everything else.It has helped propel him to untouchable status for club and country, with many viewing him as the successor to Spain legend Sergio Busquets.Rodri’s first car was an old Opel Corsa he bought off an elderly lady More

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      in Boxing

      I walked away from pro MMA career to become Conor McGregor’s photographer… now he’s helping me make Misfits Boxing debut

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      PHOTOGRAPHER Dave Fogarty was picturing a career in professional MMA – until Conor McGregor came calling. The Irishman was an amateur champion with World and European medals to his name. Photographer Dave Fogarty with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram Fogarty training for his boxing debutCredit: Instagram And while training to be a fighter, he picked up the camera as a hobby to do while out the gym and snapped in local Irish shows. That is how he was introduced to McGregor – who later became his boss after the UFC icon offered him a job as his personal photographer. Fogarty, 34, told SunSport: “I definitely could’ve turned pro. “It was definitely on the cards and something I thought about but when my amateur career had come to an end is when I started working full time for Conor.READ MORE IN BOXING“The time commitment working with Conor wouldn’t work with the full time commitment of doing pro MMA. “So I obviously chose to continue working with Conor.”Despite walking away from a fight career, Fogarty has never left MMA. That is because he is on call 24/7 with McGregor, meaning he is always in the gym and around the world’s biggest fights. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFogarty is among McGregor’s most trusted confidants. The talented snapper is part of McGregor’s core team who travel around the world with him.Watch disgusting moment Conor McGregor dislocates then resets his toe in training as injury sees him pull out of UFC 303Fogarty joins nutritionist Tristan Kennedy and strength coach Julian Dalby along with a padman and masseuse wherever McGregor goes. He said: “The man doesn’t take holidays, he doesn’t take vacations. He’s always doing something, when he’s away, the team is always away with him. “Like he says, there’s a gym on the yacht. Even if he’s on his yacht, he’s still training. He trains all year round. It’s great to be surrounded by that.” Fogarty – who has continued to train since his last MMA bout in 2017 – has captured McGregor’s meteoric rise through his lens. He revealed: “It’s mad. When you step back and see what it must be like for him. “Because when all that stuff is happening, I’m just in work mode making sure I get the pictures and have it covered.  “So to step back and see that’s what he does, day in and day out. That’s his life, it’s crazy. Conor wears different hats. You can be around him sometimes and he’s Conor, your friend and you’re having a buzz. And then, when it’s time to get to work and he becomes the boss.Conor McGregor’s photographer Dave Fogarty “It becomes normal until you step back and realise that it isn’t normal.” Fogarty teased that an upcoming project he worked on with McGregor is due to be released soon. And he opened up on how his close friend can just as quickly flip to strict boss at any moment. He said: “Conor wears different hats. You can be around him sometimes and he’s Conor, your friend and you’re having a buzz. “And then, when it’s time to get to work and he becomes the boss there’s times when I’m taking pictures and it hasn’t been his vision. “And, he’s told me about it. He’s let me know, that’s when it’s Conor the boss. “But there’s times when he loves the pictures and we’re having a buzz. “There’s times where he’s Conor McGregor, head of McGregor Sports & Entertainment or Claymore Productions.’I’ve soaked it all in’“I don’t want people telling me all the time my pictures are great, they’re not always great, no one’s are. “I think it’s important to have that relationship.” Fogarty will now call on McGregor’s expertise as he prepares to make his fight return – this time in the boxing ring. He has signed to Misfits Boxing – home to celebrity-style crossover bouts – and faces their lightweight champion Deen the Great on August 31 in Dublin. Fogarty will be coached by McGregor’s first ever trainer, Irish boxing great Phil Sutcliffe. When travelling with McGregor, he will work under the same coaches and recovery team hired by the UFC legend. He will then jet back to do his sparring under the watchful eye of two-time Olympian Sutcliffe. Fogarty does not rule out McGregor coming to support on the night and will make use of everything he has learned over the years while observing his boss. He is now preparing to make his boxing debutCredit: @ginger_beard_photosHe said: “I’ve soaked it all in. I’ve structured my training camp the exact same way I’ve seen Conor structure his. That’s where I’ve got the blueprint from. “It’s a very precise, measured and calculated way of doing it and it’s the optimal way of doing it. “Obviously, being around Conor and seeing how he’s done it is the way I’ll do it. He’s one of the best minds in combat sports history. “He’s a phenomenal coach, you saw on The Ultimate Fighter how dedicated he is to it, how dedicated and enthusiastic he is. “I’ve taken in so much from him, being around and seeing how he puts his training camps together. “It’s been a huge inspiration to how I’m going to do this.”Fogarty will challenge for Deen’s lightweight belt and prepares to take on a brash-talking unbeaten American. He said: “I’ve said it from the start, He is good. I’m not going to take anything away from him or discredit him. READ MORE SUN STORIES“He is a good fighter, a bit of a mouth, bit arrogant and cocky, but look, he is a good boxer. He’s got power in both hands, moves his head well, moves his feet well. “So I think it’s a big challenge and the hardest fight in the division being the champion. But I’m here for big fights and big opportunities.” Fogarty at the famed Crumlin Boxing ClubCredit: Instagram More

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      in Soccer

      England fan looks unrecognisable after shedding SIX STONE in five months to become bodybuilder and Team GB prospect

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      ENGLAND fan Dan Clibbon shed a staggering SIX STONE in FIVE MONTHS and cut his body fat by 88 PER CENT to bag a national bodybuilding medal.And despite downing 10 pints-a-day in Germany supporting the Three Lions, the first-time-father-to-be is targeting a Team GB spot for October’s world championship.Dan Clibbon underwent a dramatic body transformation to compete in a bodybuilding contestThe England fan shed a staggering six stone in five months and reduced his body fat by 88 per centAnd the Stoke-born 25-year-old spoke exclusively to SunSport while supporting the Three Lions in GermanySelf-proclaimed “fat lad” Dan, 25, revealed guzzling lager and scoffing pizzas and kebabs left him with a body fat percentage of 40 and weighing 17st 4lbs before his drastic body transformation. But sobriety, a super strict diet and a gruelling daily regime of 4am weightlifting sessions, 10,000-step dog walks and 40 minute night-time cardio workouts left him unrecognisable with just five per cent body fat.Dan, who is 5ft 7in, weighed in at 11st 5lbs as he claimed bronze at last month’s Physical Culture Association (PCA) ‘Naturals’ contest in Telford.And at a streetside bar in Dusseldorf the day after England’s dramatic Euro 2024 quarter-final penalties win over Switzerland, hungover Dan told SunSport: “I’ve always been a big fat lad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“But I’ve been doing powerlifting training for 11 years so I’ve always been strong too. “I’d always wanted to do a bodybuilding show so when I found out my girlfriend was pregnant in January, I thought ‘I’ll never have the chance to do it with a baby’.“So I entered the competition, knuckled down for five months, got on the cardio, got in good shape, won bronze and now I’m back on the beers again!”CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSun reader Dan is ‘back on the beers’ after going sober for five months while trainingBut he says the intense regime was well worth it for the bronze medal he bagged at last month’s PCA Naturals in TelfordDan was virtually unrecognisable after five months of eating clean and training for up to three hours a dayThe 25-year-old has put on 1st 8lbs in the month since the competition but still looks fantastic in these pictures he posed for SunSport for in DusseldorfHaving returned from a holiday to Gran Canaria with girlfriend Kirah Barnes, 23, the couple learned their daughter was due on September 1.Most read in Euro 2024And that kicked structural engineer Dan into gear as his diet switched from junk food and pints of lager to protein and vegetables and eight litres of water-a-day. Stoke-born Dan said: “I was drinking a lot of beer. And although I was eating OK during the week, at weekends it was kebabs, pizzas, anything I wanted really. “But then I started training and all I was doing every day was going to work, walking 10,000 steps, doing cardio, lifting and eating a little bit of food.“I was shredded to the bone in the space of five months. I didn’t have a drink and ate chicken and lettuce basically the whole time.“My daily routine was wake up at 4am, 20 minutes of posing practice, weights sessions at the gym, go to work, go home, 40 minutes of cardio on the cross trainer, get my 10,000 steps in with the dog, more posing practice, back to bed and repeat the next day. For FIVE MONTHS.”Dan woke up at 4am every day to lift weights before workThe structural engineer told SunSport competitors apply fake tan to emphasise their definition under the artificial stage lightsDan said bagging bronze was ‘surreal’ after five months of sacrificeDan is expecting his first child in September as him and girlfriend Kirah prepare to welcome a daughterDespite joking that his girlfriend “hated” him during his intense regime, Southam-based Dan said it did not affect his social life. The Port Vale fan said: “My girlfriend is pregnant so there wasn’t an issue with me not drinking because she wasn’t drinking either.“And I’d still go out with the boys and do exactly what I wanted, I just wouldn’t be drinking.“But the eating was 100 per cent the hardest bit. And you’re doing it for so long, you get to a point where you only want chocolate. “I was so hungry it was ridiculous.“But I ate so much after the show. Burgers, chocolate, sweets, crisps, everything was gone!”Dan spent 40 minutes-a-night on his cross trainer at homeAnd he was drinking eight litres of water-a-day in the week before the competitionPort Vale fan Dan joked his girlfriend Kirah ‘hated’ him during his intense training periodDan was spurred on by the news he was going to have his first baby in SeptemberAfter five months of clean eating this post-competition donut went down a treatDan added: “In the week leading up to the show, I was drinking eight litres of water a day to get rid of all water weight from my system. “I was also taking Peak Max, which is a natural diuretic. And then it was just low carbs, high protein and s*** tons of cardio!“But it was definitely worth it. “When they called my name out and I got third place it was surreal because I had spent five months thinking about getting a medal.”Dan’s bronze last month qualified him to compete for Team GB in the PCA SuperSeries Natural final on October 6 in Seoul, South Korea. A world championship event.But the imminent arrival of his baby girl and the cost of the trip means he may be unable to accept the spot.Dan went from 40 per cent body fat to five in just five monthsDan travelled to Dusseldorf with mates Tom Vousden and Toby Poole who gleefully told SunSport how he had been making up for all the beers he missed out on when training. Especially as the trio watched England beat Switzerland on penalties in Saturday’s quarter-final in a pub packed with fellow Three Lions supporters.And despite putting on 1st 8lbs in the month since the show, Dan is desperate to make it to South Korea. He explained: “I said before Telford I would only do one show. But I’ve got the itch now and would like to do one more in Seoul. “I want to go again because I want to get some gold medals!READ MORE SUN STORIES“Maybe The Sun can sponsor me!”Dan has started an online coaching business to help others get into shape and he can be contacted via his Instagram page.Dan is hoping to travel to South Korea in October to compete for Team GB but needs a sponsor to cover the costs More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea set to lose ‘next Musiala’, 15, to Premier League rivals who ‘will break historical wage structure for transfer’

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      CHELSEA are set to lose a talented academy product dubbed “the next Musiala” according to reports.Rio Ngumoha, 15, is set to join Liverpool after they broke their historic wage structure to bring him in.Rio Ngumoha played nine times for Chelsea’s U18sCredit: GettyNgumoha has been compared to two former Chelsea academy products, Musiala and Michael Olise, for his talent at a young age.Chelsea lost Musiala, 21, to Bayern Munich in 2019, and he has gone on to prove himself as one of the world’s finest emerging talents.Olise was also lost by Chelsea to Manchester City’s academy in 2016. He went on to play professionally for Reading and Crystal Palace before completing £49.5million move to Bayern Munich yesterday.According to Fabrizio Romano, Ngumoha is seen as such a special talent that Liverpool are willing to break their academy wage structure which has remained in place for years.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe says a deal will be completed for the 15-year-old soon.Under their previous structure, which will be broken with the transfer of Ngumoha, academy players’ earnings were capped at £50,000-a-year.The cap is part of a larger set of rules that will remain in place.Players are also limited to a ‘car clause’ which means they can not own a vehicle over 1.3 litres.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPlayers at the academy are also required to hand in their phones at 8:30am and are only given them back at the end of the day.Explaining the rules, academy director Alex Inglethorpe told Jamie Carragher for the Telegraph: “It is a safety thing as much as anything.Chelsea’s top summer transfer targetsMeet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.”I don’t want boys who have just passed their test with these big chunks of metal, but I was also fed up seeing a car park full of Range Rovers.”If anyone turns up with one of them, they are parking it next door.”We have a pay structure which is fairly old-fashioned. We give them jobs to do. We tell them to hand their phone over at 8.30am and give them back before they go home.”You have been a senior player. You know how it is when a young player comes into the dressing room. You want respect for the pathway.”They have to earn what comes their way first. All the other stuff is fine later. To get there you have to do it on the pitch.”Ngumoha is a talented left winger who made nine appearances for Chelsea’s Under 18s last season, despite only turning 16 later this month.The player has also featured several times for England’s U-16 side.During those appearances, he contributed one goal and one assist.READ MORE SUN STORIESLiverpool have a good track record of bedding academy products into the first-team in recent years.Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones are first-team regulars, with Conor Bradley also playing extensively in the first-team last season. More

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      Inside Jack Grealish and Sasha Attwood’s relationship from high-school romance to career highs and baby reveal

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      JACK GREALISH and Sasha Attwood’s romance is going up a notch.The Man City star and his model girlfriend, both 28, have announced they are expecting their first child together.The focus is always on Jack Grealish and Sasha Attwood – football’s most glam coupleCredit: AFPGrealish and Sasha are childhood sweethearts who got together at secondary schoolCredit: Social Media – Refer to SourceJack Grealish and Sasha Attwood have announced she is expecting their first childThe outrageously attractive couple shared the news on social media with a heartwarming post to their millions of delighted fans.Sasha shared a picture of her baby bump and the caption: “Half of me, half of you – beyond blessed ✨🤍🙏🏻.”Grealish added: “Life’s biggest blessing 👶🏻.”It’s the icing on the cake for football’s most delectable pairing.Read more football newsThe pair met as teens in Solihull, West Midlands at secondary school and haven’t looked back.Jack has conquered the football world, winning the Premier League and Champions League.While beautiful model Sasha has appeared in ad campaigns for the likes of Boohoo, L’Oreal, Pretty Little Thing, Lipsy and GHD.Those career highs mean the pair can enjoy a glam lifestyle, including five-star holidays.Most read in FootballSunSport delves into their romance – starting from the beginning.Teenage kicksGrealish was on his way to becoming a professional footballer when he met Sasha.LETS LOOSE Jack Grealish dons hilarious shoulder-length blonde WIG as he lets his hair down after England exile (1)Already ploughing through the youth ranks at Aston Villa, he was a popular boy of St Peter’s Roman Catholic Secondary School.His good looks made him a favourite among the girls, even at that age.At 13, Sasha was already recognised for her beauty.She was spotted by a talent scout for a modelling agency while out on a shopping trip with her mum in Birmingham.The gorgeous blonde would go on star in shoots for House of Fraser in her early years.It wasn’t until both Grealish and Sasha turned 16 when they started dating.Their relationship escalated quicklyDespite the longterm nature of their relationship, Sasha remained on the sidelines as Grealish’s career took off.He was reportedly happy to purvey the image of a single man to aid his image.And she didn’t have any insecurities when it came to their relationship, so a happy medium was found and their kept social media interactions to modest level.However, intense interest in Grealish and his private life came to a head in 2021.Not only did he play a starring role as England reached the final of Euro 2020, delayed a year because of Covid.As Grealish rose through the ranks at Aston Villa, Sasha was happy to take a backseatSasha and Grealish’s romance came under the spotlight at Euro 2021Stunning beauty Sasha revealed she received death threats daily on social mediaGrealish also earned a blockbuster British record transfer to Man City for £100million.It was an immense time in his life, but Sasha was faced with her own difficulties.Because of their romance, she was cruelly targeted by trolls on TikTok and Instagram to the tune of 200 death threats a day.Sasha revealed: “They said, ‘I hope you get cancer and die’ or ‘I hope your whole family dies’.“They say, ‘I hope the next time you’re in the car you crash it and die, I hope after Wembley you die’.”Speaking on her YouTube channel, she added: “I was receiving 200 death threats a day. I’m not exaggerating when I say that.“I had so many messages every single day. I still get them now, all day every day.”Sasha needn’t worryJealousy was clearly a factor for her abusers, as Sasha’s own career began to take off.She signed to Elite Model Management, where the work piled in.The fashion influencer, who can count on an army 300,000 Instagram followers for likes and comments, then follow in Grealish’s footsteps as a model for Boohoo.Pretty Little Thing also used Sasha to endorse their products.Grealish and Sasha ignored the haters as their careers took offCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sasha__rebecca/?hl=enFootballer Grealish and model Sasha became hot properties in fashionBrands like L’Oreal and Pretty Little Thing asked Sasha to endorse their productsread more sport featuresWhile skincare tutorials in partnership with L’Oreal draw plenty of eyes to her social media accounts.Sasha, herself, became a hot commodity for brands.Who said romance is dead?Making time for one another has allowed Grealish and Sasha to thrive as a couple.Over the years, Grealish has enjoyed lads’ breaks in Las Vegas and Ibiza – but Sasha always comes first.Back in 2022, they celebrated their 10-year anniversary like many loved-up couple would.They cuddled up on the sofa and watched romantic movie The Notebook from a projector.Then, at Halloween that same year, Grealish and Sasha dressed as Grease’s Danny and Sandy – with matching T-Birds leather jackets.A couple in unison, romantic getaways were also the order of the day.If Jack did go away with the boys, Sasha was treated to her own five-star holiday.The most notable came in 2023, when Grealish whisked his beloved off to the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France.World’s away from Cheshire, where they live in a £6million mansion, the resort boasts rooms that cost up to £14,000-per-night.Grealish and Sasha got into the spirit of Halloween by dressing as Danny and Sandy from GreaseWhen they get away, Grealish and Sasha do it in styleGrealish once whisked Sasha off to the South of France, where they stayed at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-RocJust a short drive from the glitz and glamour of Cannes, the hotel has played host to some of the biggest names in history including Picasso and Cary Grant.A new challengeJack and Sasha are getting ready to embrace parenthood.Their announcement on social media was met with a chorus of well-wishes from the footballing fraternity.England pal Jude Bellingham replied: “Congrats brother❤️.”While Three Lions skipper Harry Kane said: “Congratulations!! ❤️❤️.”The later could act as inspiration for Grealish, with family man Kane juggling life as an international footballer and devoted dad seemingly with ease.READ MORE SUN STORIESSasha Attwood shared her baby news on InstagramGrealish and Sasha are getting ready to embrace parenthood togetherCredit: InstagramSasha famously modelled maternity gear for BoohooInterestingly, Sasha already modelled maternity wear for a Boohoo range.Now, maybe it’s a photoshoot she can revisit for real this time. 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