No surprise in this news from the Globe and Mail.
It had to happen, the product was rotting on the shelf. TFC/MLSE bigwigs showed some spine and ambition, at last. Where Toronto FC would be right now had they made this move last November will always be the stuff of dreams.

The summer transfer season ends and the excitement of the last day and a half sums up one of the most active transfer windows that I can remember. The biggest movers were the usual suspects this summer in Real Madrid (6 players in, 2 players out, and over €60 spent) and Manchester City (6 players in, 8 players out, and over €130 spent).

By Dominic Vieira, writing from Portugal

He speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish, carries an army of mobile phones, sleeps few hours, possesses over 100 players worth over €500m, earns millions each year and is Portuguese. Jorge Mendes is one of the world's ‘super agents' who accomplished this recognition before reaching his 40th birthday.

The problem with international breaks is that they ruin the flow of the season. We spend so long looking forward to the big kick-off, and then just three games later watch in frustration as largely uncompetitive internationals take over. And, inevitably, result in injuries we could really do without.

Wales fancied it, no doubt. Young players coming through nicely. England aside, a relatively 'easy' qualifying group. A real chance of the play-offs surely, and a local derby against the big neighbours...and then...who knows? Optimism had returned after six years of rebuilding that garnered some pretty poor results.

By Ollie Irish

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Wayne Rooney, England

Photos: PA

To sum up, England were again lively and professional as they were against Bulgaria on Friday but how bad were the Swiss!

Gerard Houllier has finally been confirmed as new permanent manager at Aston Villa, succeeding Martin O'Neill. He has resigned from his position of technical director at FFF.

I've put together a mini-biography here and compiled his Premier League statistics while at Liverpool here for anyone who is interested.

Ryan Babel is ready to revitalize his Liverpool career as a striker after being given assurances by Roy Hodgson of more regular appearances in his favoured role.
Babel has reiterated his belief that the arrival of the new manager has given him another – and perhaps final – chance to realize his full potential.

The mighty Hercules havearrived folks! Just a week or two back I joked about the new boys name and questioned whether or not they could live up to such a well respected title and also wondered if the club would have the staying power in La Liga this year. Well I think it is safe to say yes they can.

Jay-Z has reiterated his ambition to buy into Arsenal and says he wants to be on the Gunners' board. I know this story has been flying around for about 2 years now but we have to keep the faith that it might actually happen.

The rapper insists that he and wife Beyonce Knowles would even move to London so he could be "involved in the decision-making" alongside septuagenarian (lmao) chairman Peter Hill-Wood

He said: "We would have to spend much more time in London.

Real Madrid hasn't had much success in chasing the Champions League title; last won by Los Blancos in 2002. However, with all the new acquisitions that the club has made in the past 2 seasons, Cristiano Ronaldo is confident that much will change in the upcoming Champions League.

It has been 6 seasons of turmoil for Madrid in the Champions League as they have constantly been shown an early exit from competition.

Liverpool Football Club has succeeded in its long-held ambition to trademark the Liver bird, the symbol of the city of Liverpool.

Liverpool Football Club has succeeded in its long-held ambition to trademark the Liver bird, the symbol of the city of Liverpool.
Liverpool FC's plan was met with some resistance when the English Premier League (EPL) club announced their intentions some two years ago. And, after talks with Liverpool Council, the club initially agreed to abandon their bid.

Image: Daylife/Reuters

What were you doing at eight-years-old, Kickettes? If your answer is innocently playing on swing sets or not-so innocently shaving Barbie's hair into a fetching fawk-hawk, best you go sit on the naughty step. Clearly you've little career motivation.

Yesterday there was the presentation of Time Force's new line of watches and jewelry (oic) that will be signed by Gerard Piqué. The barça player talked to the press and posed for pictures later. Time Force says Gerard is in the campaing because he's as famous as Cristiano Ronaldo or Elsa Pataky (lol stop.

Ac Milan are readying a big money bid for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in January as the Serie A side look to wrestle domination from arch rivals Inter Milan. New San Siro boss Massimiliano Allegri is a big admirer of the Anfield skipper and is hoping that funds to make a bold move for the England international will be handed to him in January.