Gillingham make former Huddersfield Town, Fulham and Derby County man available for transfer
Gillingham have put former Huddersfield Town defender Scott Malone up for sale.
The 33-year-old was a Premier League player as recently as 2018, when he helped keep Huddersfield in the top flight. However, he returned to the EFL after just a season in West Yorkshire with a move to Derby County.
Malone arrived at Gillingham last year, with a spell at Millwall separating his Derby exit and Gills move. He was a regular for the League One club last season, racking up 48 appearances, but has been made available for transfer.
In their retained list statement, the Gills confirmed Malone is not out of contract but will be allowed to seek pastures new. He has been made available for a move alongside teammates George Lapslie, Ashley Nadesan and Oli Hawkins.
Gillingham are now led by Mark Bonner, having recently relieved former Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City coach Stephen Clemence of his duties. As well as putting four players up for sale, the Gills have announced eight will be departing upon the expiry of their contracts.
Among those moving on is experienced forward Macauley Bonne, who represented Charlton Athletic and Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/gillingham-make-former-huddersfield-town-fulham-and-derby-county-man-available-for-transfer-4630500
PL final day: Fulham star Iwobi hopes he can break personal record he set as an Arsenal player
Alex Iwobi is hoping he can break his personal record for most goals scored in a single season on the final day of the Premier League when Fulham take on relegation candidates Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
His highest number of goals in a single season was first achieved during his Arsenal days, netting six goals in 51 appearances back in the 2018-2019 campaign, with three of the goals scored in the Premier League, two in the Europa League and one in the Emirates FA Cup.
The Hale End Academy graduate equaled his personal record of six goals on March 9, 2024 after finding the net in Fulham 's 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
With Everton looking to balance their books, Iwobi was sold to Fulham for a fee of 22 million pounds last summer, and since then, he has adapted like a duck to water when it comes to his performances.
Before heading to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, he played a key role as Fulham advanced to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup for the first time in their history and has also helped the Cottagers maintain a respectable position in the Premier League.
Speaking to Fulham's official webpage ahead of the trip to the Hatters, Iwobi stated: "A bit of a rollercoaster, but it's been a good season. We've had some memorable moments which we can cherish this season.
"I've had my best goal scoring record again, hopefully I can break it against Luton, but it's been a good season.
"I've enjoyed working with Marco Silva and the team, they've welcomed me very well. Being back in London as well, I've enjoyed it, and I just want to kick on from this season and keep improving."
Iwobi has not found the net in nine consecutive matches in the Premier League - his longest goal drought since his return to London.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=51530#google_vignette
Maidenhead United Women crowned League Cup champions after penalty shoot-out win over Fulham
Maidenhead United Women 2, Fulham FC Women 2 (Maidenhead win 5-3 on penalties)
There were jubilant scenes at Burnham's 1878 Stadium on Wednesday evening as Maidenhead United's Women's side lifted the Combined Counties League Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Fulham FC's Women.
Club captain Amy Saunders and Sarah Thompson - who thundered home a late header in the 2-2 draw - lifted the trophy together in front of their teammates and a large crowd of supporters.
The Magpies deserved this moment as well, having beaten the likes of QPR Women, Watford FC Development and now Fulham enroute to finishing what's been a record-breaking season with some silverware.
Once again, they didn't do things the easy way, taking the lead through Izzy Stockton's smartly taken left-footed volley in the 20th minute before losing control of the game as the half progressed.
Tessa Allen smashed the side's level with a low, drilled shot from the edge of the area on the half-hour mark, and an injury to the influential Simone O'Brien disrupted the Magpies' performance.
https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/gallery/football/196580/maidenhead-united-women-crowned-champions-after-penalty-shoot-out-win-over-fulham.html
Fulham Women suffer shoot-out heartbreak
Fulham Women suffered shoot-out heartbreak as Maidenhead United clinched their first silverware for eight years by winning the Combined Counties League Cup final on penalties at Burnham FC last night.
The Whites were hoping to finish their campaign on a high after finishing third in the league but were denied by the lottery of the shootout with a wayward second spot-kick proving critical. They had shown great spirit to recover from the setback of conceding first despite having dominated the opening twenty minutes. Simone O'Brien was rewarded for chasing down what looked like a lost cause as her cross reached Natalie Cowell who teed up Izzy Stockton's venomous volley.
Fulham grew into the game and equalised within ten minutes when Tessa Allen lashed in a low effort from the edge of the box and they looked the likelier winners once Sasha Adamson converted a fine cross from Ede Buchele. Chloe Christison-McNee might have extended the Cottagers' advantage but drilled over and Steve Jaye's side paid the penalty for not putting the tie to bed when they switched off from a set piece allowing Sarah Thompson to nod home Macey-Nikiah Walters' free-kick with five minutes to play.
The Whites almost won it in stoppage time but Maidenhead goalkeeper Rosie Wilmott-Joyce made a stunning save from substitute Ruby Murtagh to ensure the final went all the way to penalties. Maidenhead, who had seen off the likes of QPR and Watford's academy to reach the final, converted all of their spot-kicks to claim the title. Fulham will need to regroup over the summer as they once again target promotion from the London and South East Premier Division.
MAIDENHEAD FC WOMEN: Wilmott-Joyce; Gregory, Meadows-Tuson, Thompson, Saunders, Topping, Rasmussen, O'Brien, Nikiah-Walters, Stockton, Cowell. Subs: Jauad-Taborda, Carvill, Esprit, Hockey, Lunn.
GOALS: Stockton (20), Thompson (85).
FULHAM FC WOMEN: Parker; Allen, Southgate, Todd-Warmouth; Huntrods, Lewis, McNee, Walters; Connelley, Adamson, Buchele. Subs: Dale, Barron-Clark, Humphries, Almendros, Murtagh.
GOALS: Allen (30), Adamson (53).
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/05/fulham-women-suffer-shoot-out-heartbreak/
Fulham U21 4-0 Tottenham U21(https://images.webapi.fulhamfc.com/fit-in/1600x1600/536d31b0-13b8-11ef-9458-8b8d0bdb0d46.jpg)
A stunning performance saw Fulham Under-21s defeat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 to become Premier League Cup Champions on Thursday night.
The tie was all but won by half-time at Craven Cottage, courtesy of Callum Osmand's perfect hat-trick.
After tapping in from close range on his left foot, he drilled another in on his right, before claiming the match ball with a looping header at the end of the first 45.
George Okkas added some gloss to the scoreline in the second half, to cap a marvellous campaign for our Young Whites.
There were two changes to the XI that smashed Chelsea by the same scoreline in the Semi-Final, with Alfie McNally replacing Alex Borto in goal, while left-back Jon Esenga came in for the injured Josh King, meaning Okkas moved up the pitch into midfield.
In that Semi, the Young Whites needed just nine minutes to make the breakthrough, but managed it inside three this time around. Spurs centre-back Dante Cassanova wanted too long on the ball and had his pocket picked by Works. He then drove towards goal and waited for Osmand to time his run before picking his teammate out with a square pass for a simple finish.
It was almost 2-0 on 13 minutes when a quick Fulham break culminated in Delano McCoy-Splatt cutting the ball back from the right to Osmand, whose snapshot was well saved by the boot of goalkeeper Luca Gunter.
Osmand did not have to wait long for his second, though. Another high press, this time from Matt Dibley-Dias, saw us win possession again in the Spurs half. The Fulham skipper's tackle broke for Osmand who turned on the burners to smoke past Cassanova before rolling a low shot across Gunter to double his tally.
Tottenham responded with their first shot of the game, but Jamie Donley's curling effort from the edge of the box was well held by McNally.
It was a much better chance for our guests in the 27th minute when Maeson King managed to keep the ball in at the byline and clip a cross into Will Lankshear, but the free-scoring striker couldn't control his header which sailed over.
The home fans wanted blood when King wiped out Works as he was about to burst into the area, but the referee considered Cassanova to be in close enough proximity to warrant a yellow card rather than red.
Esenga almost dished out some further punishment from the following free-kick, but his dipper was pushed over by the fingertips of the diving Gunter.
That gave Esenga a taste for goal, with the defender marauding forward to get on the end of opposite full-back Devan Tanton's deep cross, but sent his half volley wide on his weaker right foot.
There was then a flurry of attacking activity, with the Hammy End seeing Adrion Pajaziti's shot deflect over and Gunter deny Works, before Donley dragged a strike wide at the Putney End.
Osmand had been a menace first half, claiming his hat-trick in stoppage time. Tanton's cross was a high one, but Osmand judged its flight impeccably and hung in the air before looping an inch-perfect header over Gunter and inside the far post.
Spurs started the second half relatively brightly but soon found themselves four down nonetheless. McCoy-Splatt fed Works who was in an acre of space to his right, and the winger put another low cross on a plate, this time for Okkas who finished emphatically.
Tanton's deliveries had been a constant thorn in Spurs' left side, and another wicked cross almost led to number five, but Gunter made a terrific reaction stop to keep out Osmand, with a brave block then denying substitute Lemar Gordon – who had replaced the excellent Works – on the follow-up.
Spurs were being limited to pot shots, but efforts from Jude Soonsup-Bell and Rio Kyerematen both missed the target.
At the other end, Gordon definitely found his range, but Gunter was just about able to turn his rasping strike from 20 yards around the post. From the subsequent corner, Connor McAvoy – who had come on for the injured Esenga – headed over.
McNally hadn't had the busiest of evenings, but he adjusted his body well to keep out Max Robson's angled shot with eight minutes remaining.
With the contest over, the remainder of the game played out with minimal incident, as Fulham secured their title as Premier League Cup winners – a feat all the more impressive when considering that Spurs U21s finished top of the PL2 this season.
Fulham U21: McNally, Tanton, De Fougerolles, Araujo, Esenga (McAvoy 69'), Dibley-Dias, McCoy-Splatt, Pajaziti, Okkas (Gofford 83'), Works (Gordon 58'), Osmand (Loupalo-Bi 83')
Subs: Underwood, McAvoy, Gofford, Gordon, Loupalo-Bi
Tottenham Hotspur U21: Gunter, Kyerematen (Robson 77'), Ashcroft, Cassanova, King (Akhamrich 51'), Hall, Abbott, John, Donley (Soonsup-Bell 57'), Santiago (Ajayi 78'), Lankshear
Subs: Soonsup-Bell, Keeley, Akhamrich, Robson, Ajayi
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/may/16/Fulham-U21-4-0-Tottenham-U21/
Man Utd must target Fulham duo, not Everton's Branthwaite and Onana
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing two Everton players in the summer transfer window.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils are monitoring the respective situations of Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana.
Branthwaite has enjoyed a breakthrough season for Sean Dyche's side, playing in 34 out of a possible 37 Premier League games.
He and James Tarkowski have formed an excellent partnership, leading to the fourth-best defensive record in the division.
Indeed, Branthwaite has been so good for The Toffees that he was rewarded with a senior England call-up in March.
However, at 21 years of age, his market value is enormous, and United can't afford to blow most of their budget on one player.
Likewise, 22-year-old Onana will also cost a huge fee, having excelled since joining Lille in 2022.
And, United could face competition from Bayern Munich and Arsenal, only increasing the asking price.
Man Utd must target Fulham duo
Instead of the aforementioned Everton duo, United should sign Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Palhinha instead.
Adarabioyo could be the biggest bargain of the entire summer window because the 26-year-old's contract expires this summer, meaning that he can join another club on a free transfer.
The opportunity to sign a Premier League proven player in the middle of their prime for nothing does not come around often, and Ten Hag's side must grasp it with both hands.
As for Palhinha, he will not come cheap, as his contract does not expire until 2028.
Fulham accepted a €65 million from Bayern Munich last summer before changing their mind at the last minute.
The West London club did not want to sell one of their best players without identifying a replacement.
The Portugal international later signed a new contract, but it is widely thought that he was told that he could leave for a reasonable fee.
And, German journalist Florian Plettenberg previously reported that Fulham would be willing to accept much less than €65m this time round.
At 28 years of age, Palhinha would be a perfect replacement for the aging Casemiro.
https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/tag/newsnow-features-only/man-utd-transfer-news-fulham-everton-jarrad-branthwaite-amadou-onana
Osmand fires Fulham U21s to Premier League Cup glory
Callum Osmand scored a sensational hat-trick as Fulham's under 21s thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 to win the Premier League Cup on a special night at Craven Cottage this evening.
The Welsh striker effectively ended the London derby as a contest by half-time having completed the perfect hat-trick in first half stoppage time. The eighteen year-old took his tally to 21 goals for in a superb season with a superb centre forward's display that underlined his progression under new under 21s head coach Hayden Mullins at Motspur Park.
The young Whites came into the showpiece final full of confidence after hammering local rivals Chelsea 4-0 in the semi-final at Kingsmeadow but nobody expected Fulham to dish out the same treatment to a Spurs side who had topped the PL2 standings ahead of the play-offs. But the home side made a flying side with winger Terrell Works punishing Dante Cassanova for dwelling on the ball in the third minute and tearing off towards goal. He patiently waited for Osmand to make the sort of intelligent late run for which he has become renowned at this level and delivered a precise ball that the in-form forward couldn't fail to convert from close range.
Tottenham saw plenty of the ball in the early stages but appeared shellshocked by the concession of such a preventable early goal. The Whites almost doubled their lead ten minutes later when Jamaican international Delano McCoy-Splatt found Osmand with another excellent ball after a rapid Fulham counter-attack but this time the goalscorer was denied by the feet of an alert Spurs goalkeeper Luca Gunter.
But Fulham's pressure was relentless and Osmand grabbed his second of the evening only three minutes later. Matt Dibley-Dias won a tackle deep in Tottenham territory and the striker surged away from Cassanova before finding the bottom corner with a precise low finish. The visitors had their best spell of the game after going down 2-0 with Jamie Donley stinging the gloves of Alfie McNally with a curler from the edge of the area before PL2 top scorer Will Lankshear headed over with the goal gaping from Maeson King's cross.
The Tottenham full back was perhaps fortunate to only be showed a yellow card when he crudely curtailed a promising run from Works with a cynical tackle on the edge of the box. Jon Esenga's superb free-kick was well tipped over by Gunter and the full back fired wide when academy player of the year Devan Tanton's cross dropped onto his right side. Fulham finished the first half strongly with Adrion Pajaziti seeing a shot deflected over and Gunter thwarting the lively works.
Donley wasted a decent chance at the other end for Spurs and their hopes of a second half comeback evaporated when Osmand made sure he'd be taking home the match ball in added time. The striker soared majestically to guide a floated cross from Tanton over the helpless Gunter and inside the far post to make it 3-0.
Tottenham were much more competitive after the resumption but it counted for little as Works teed up George Okkas with another exquisite cross to further extend Fulham's lead. Spurs were indebted to goalkeeper Gunter for limiting the damage after that. He made a brilliant double save to deny Osmand a fourth and then superbly thwarted substitute Lemar Gordon with a brave block from the rebound.
The visitors still tried to play their football despite there being no prospect of a revival but a disciplined defensive effort – marshalled by the excellent Luc de Fougerolles and Harvey Araujo – meant Spurs were restricted to long-range efforts. Jude Soonsup-Bell and Rio Kyerematen both failed to trouble McNally from distance, whilst at the other end Gunter pulled off another excellent stop to keep out a powerful effort from Gordon. Substitute Connor McAvoy headed over from the ensuing corner but Fulham had already sealed the silverware through Osmand's incredible goalscoring prowess.
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): McNally; Tanton, Esenga (McAvoy 69), de Fougerolles, Araujo; Dibley-Dias, McCoy-Splatt; Pajaziti, Works (Gordon 58), Okkas (Gofford 83); Osmand (Loupalo-Bi 83). Subs (not used): Underwood.
BOOKED: Pajaziti, Dibley-Dias.
GOALS: Osmand (3, 16, 45+2), Okkas (53).
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1): Gunter; Kyerematen (Robson 77), Maesen King (Akhamrich 51), Ashcroft, Cassanova; Abbott, Hall; John, Santiago (Ajayi 78), Donley (Soonsup-Bell 57). Subs (not used): Keeley.
BOOKED: Maesen King, Kyerematen.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/05/osmand-fires-fulham-u21s-to-premier-league-cup-glory/