German football club; Bundesliga mainstay and European competitor
Hamburg defeats Freiburg as Matanović scores late consolation; Hamburg climbs to 11th, while Freiburg’s chance to qualify for the Conference League via the Bundesliga fades. Freiburg still has Europa League finals ambitions with a separate match against Aston Villa.
Crystal Palace has appointed Pierre Sage as head coach after Oliver Glasner’s departure. Sage signs a three-year deal, aiming to continue Palace’s winning approach as they enter another European campaign.
Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi has been cleared to travel to Canada for a World Cup clash with Germany after authorities briefly barred him from entering. The move follows reports he was linked to a probe into sports corruption in France. FIF says it has confidence in him and he will join the squad in Toronto for the group match.
Celtic are plotting a higher bid for Colombian forward Camilo Duran after Qarabag rejected their initial offer. Duran impressed in 2025-26, scoring 15 league goals and five in the Champions League, and is currently with Celtic at their Portugal training camp ahead of a potential debut in a pre-season friendly.
Rangers focus on strengthening ahead of the new season as multiple targets are linked. John Souttar and Danilo remain in transfer talks, while clubs in Scotland, England and abroad monitor a range of players from the Ibrox squad.
Dortmund has signed Kos Karetsas from Genk on a five-year deal for 32 million euros, plus potential bonuses, as part of a broader strategy to avoid a repeat near-miss in the league. The club is also building a strong women's side with major signings like Manuela Zinsberger and Alexandra Popp to advance ambitions in German football.
Paris Saint-Germain has beaten Aston Villa 2-1 in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened, Villa teenager Brian Madjo levelled, and Desire Doue scored the winner after a VAR review awarded the goal. Somali referee Omar Artan, controversially denied a US World Cup visa, officiated the match.