Cesc Fabregas has signed a two-year-deal with Italian second-tier side Como and has also become a shareholder in the club.
The 35-year-old left Monaco at the end of his deal with the Ligue 1 outfit, having played just two league games last season due to injury, but insisted he was not about to retire.
The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder was presented to the media as a Como player on Monday and said he was looking forward to getting started in a league he believes to be a strong one.
"The quality of the championship is high, as is that of the relegated teams [from Serie A]," Fabregas said. "I can't wait to start, do well, play and win a lot. And then I would like to do some magic here in Como."
Como finished 13th in Serie B last season, but chief executive and Dennis Wise – another former Chelsea player – eventually hopes to get the club into the top flight, and he revealed Fabregas has also become a shareholder.
"Cesc will become a shareholder of the company, that's another reason why he came here," Wise said. "He will be here longer than expected.
"He wanted to join the club for our ambitions, to fix the stadium, open a new sports centre and get to Serie A."
Fabregas explained the conversations he held with Wise as well as club owners' representative Mirwan Suwarso and general and sporting manager Carlalberto Ludi that led him to accept a move to Italy.
"I have been extremely fortunate that my career has allowed me to play at the most wonderful clubs. Como is no exception," he said.
"After lengthy talks with Mirwan, Dennis and Charlie, they explained in detail one of the most exciting and ambitious projects in football.
"This is why I am looking to build a long-term future here, not just on the pitch but also off it, too. I believed in the vision from the first moment, and I have decided to invest personally to be part of the bigger picture.
"I cannot wait to get out on the pitch and play in front of the fans in such a beautiful setting. The tradition, infrastructure and desire that the owners have to take this club to the next level is inspiring. I cannot wait to start."
Verona part ways with coach Baroni
Verona have parted ways with head coach Marco Baroni by mutual agreement, the Serie A club confirmed on Monday.
Baroni took charge of Verona in July 2023, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second year, but leaves the club after one season at the helm.
The Italian won nine of his 38 league games, finishing with a win rate of 25 per cent as the Gialloblu battled relegation for much of the campaign, but managed to steer them clear of the bottom three.
It was the second time Baroni had been in management at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi having been appointed as Alberto Malesani's assistant for the 2002-03 season.
Verona was the 16th club he has managed since starting his managerial career with Rodinella 24 years ago, and was thanked by his latest club for his contributions.
"President Maurizio Setti, on behalf of the whole club, thanks Mr Baroni for the work he has done this season and wishes him the best of satisfaction for the continuation of his sporting career," the club statement said.
According to Italian media reports, the 60-year-old is expected to become the Lazio manager to replace Igor Tudor, who recently resigned after less than three months in charge.
Belgium right-back Meunier an injury doubt for Euro 2024
Belgium have confirmed full-back Thomas Meunier will not travel to Germany with the team on Wednesday, throwing his participation at Euro 2024 into doubt.
Meunier has won 66 senior caps for Belgium, representing his country at the last four major tournaments since missing out on their squad for the 2014 World Cup.
He scored in a 2-0 group-stage win over England at the 2018 World Cup, also netting in a 3-0 victory over Russia at Euro 2020.
The 32-year-old – who swapped Borussia Dortmund for Trabzonspor in February – was not involved as Domenico Tedesco's team beat Luxembourg 3-0 in a friendly on Saturday, having suffered a muscle injury.
In an update issued on social media on Sunday, the Royal Belgian Football Association said: "Thomas Meunier provisionally won't travel to Germany on Wednesday because of a muscle injury.
"There will be more tests in the next couple of days. Get well soon, Thomas."
Belgium open their Group E campaign against Slovakia on June 17 before facing Romania and Ukraine.
De Jong returns to Netherlands training but may not make Euro 2024 opener
Frenkie de Jong has returned to non-contact training with the Netherlands as he steps up his recovery from an ankle injury, but he may not make their Euro 2024 opener against Poland.
De Jong was included in Ronald Koeman's final 26-man squad for the Euros despite an ankle issue preventing him from featuring for Barcelona since a 3-2 loss to Real Madrid on April 21.
He made 30 appearances across all competitions as the Blaugrana endured a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, finishing well adrift of Madrid at the top of LaLiga and exiting the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight.
He has been a fixture in the Oranje side since making his senior international debut in 2018, and Koeman is hopeful he might play a part in Group D fixtures against France and Austria, even if he is not available for their opening game against Poland next Sunday.
"He was part of training but we kept him away from any contact," Koeman said at a press conference ahead of Monday's final warm-up game against Iceland.
"It is possible that Frenkie will not make it to the first match, but we can wait until the second or third game. That's a possibility.
"Even if he can't play the first two games, we'll stick with him. But if it looks as if he will miss the entire group stage, I might have to rethink his selection."
In De Jong's absence, PSV's Jerdy Schouten started in midfield alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Ryan Gravenbech as the Netherlands beat Canada 4-0 in a friendly on Thursday.
Asked about the general condition of his squad, Koeman added: "A number of the players had some rest towards the end of the season and came in fresh.
"There were also players who were not yet ready for a full 90 minutes, but we were able to train well. It is up to us to loosen the reins in time, to start the first match super fit."
Euro 2024 will be the 11th edition of the tournament to feature the Netherlands, who won their only major international trophy when the competition was last held exclusively in Germany in 1988.
Only Germany (six times) have reached at least the semi-finals of the Euros more often than the Oranje (four times) since 1988. However, they have not made the final four since 2004.
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