Sampdoria has made official the purchase of defender Stefan Gartenmann, who has signed a contract until 2028 after passing a medical.
The Swiss centre-back, who also has a Danish passport, arrives as a free agent after his experience at Ferencvaros. Having overcome the doubts about his physical condition, "U.C. Sampdoria announces that it has definitively acquired the sporting rights of the player Stefan Gartenmann (born in Roskilde, Denmark, on 2 February 1997). The defender is linked to the Blucerchiati club until 30 June 2028". With this note, the Sampdoria club announced the first addition of the new season. The Swiss footballer has therefore dispelled, after in-depth medical examinations, the doubts about his physical condition after the serious injury that had affected him during his experience in Hungary with Ferencvaros. This is the rest of the Ligurians' statement: "Gartenmann brings international experience, defensive solidity and a winning mentality developed in various European championships to Sampdoria. Born in Roskilde, Denmark, but of Swiss nationality (3 appearances with the senior national team), the new Blucerchiati defender grew up in the team of his hometown before moving to the Heerenveen Academy. After making his debut in the Heerenveen first team in 2015, Gartenmann he returned to Denmark in 2017 to wear the shirt of Sønderjyske, the team with which he achieved historic success in the Danish Cup in the 2019/20 season. In 2022 he moved to Midtjylland, confirming himself as a reliable central defender and leader of the defense, before moving to Scotland to Aberdeen. In the summer of 2024, the move to Ferencváros represented another phase of growth he contributed to winning the championship in his first season, before completing his palmarès with the victory of the Hungarian Cup. Physicality, sense of position, personality and experience in European competitions make Gartenmann a highly reliable profile, ready to put his qualities at the service of Sampdoria.
Canada reached the round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time, beating South Africa 1-0. Jesse Marsch's team will face the winner between Morocco and the Netherlands.
Ange Postecoglou has been officially appointed as Al-Nassr manager, taking over from Jorge Jesus and managing Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.
Fenerbahçe deny Mason Greenwood transfer rumours, stating that no member of their football committee is currently in France for such discussions.