Latest news with #Ecuadorian
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is Florian Wirtz, the $156 million man joining Liverpool?
Premier League champion Liverpool has announced the arrival of German midfielder Florian Wirtz – a statement signing in this summer transfer window. Wirtz joins Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £116.5 million (around $156 million), according to multiple UK media reports, and will only strengthen Arne Slot's title-winning side heading into next season. Advertisement It makes Wirtz the most expensive player in British soccer, his reported price tag potentially exceeding the £115 million ($146 million) that Chelsea paid for Ecuadorian midfielder Moisés Caicedo. 'I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me,' Wirtz told 'This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League. 'I will see how I can perform there. I hope I can do my best. I spoke also with some players who played there and they told me that it's perfect for me and every pitch is perfect, you can enjoy every game. I'm really looking forward to playing my first game.' Advertisement At the age of 22, Wirtz has already made a hugely impressive start to his career with club and country. After joining the Bayer Leverkusen youth setup, he was soon elevated to the first team aged 17 years and 15 days, becoming the club's then-youngest player to feature in the Bundesliga. More records would follow, with Wirtz becoming the league's youngest goalscorer when he netted in a defeat against Bayern Munich in 2020, a record that has since been passed by Borussia Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko. A torn ACL three years ago halted the playmaker's progress and put him out of action for 10 months, but Wirtz bided his time on the sidelines and went on to play a starring role in Leverkusen's astonishing 2023-24 season, winning the German Cup and a first-ever league title. Only a defeat against Atalanta in the Europa League final denied Leverkusen a famous treble, putting an end to a 51-game unbeaten run. Advertisement Wirtz had 18 goals and 20 assists in all competitions that season, then went on to notch 16 goals – six of which came in the Champions League – and 15 assists in 45 games last year. In that time, the midfielder established himself as one of the most sought-after players in Europe. Understandably, Wirtz has been heaped with praise. Barcelona and former German national team manager Hansi Flick called him 'the full package,' while former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes went as far as to label him 'probably the best midfielder in the world.' Wirtz dribbles during the recent Nations League match between Germany and France. -Already an established member of the German national team, Wirtz missed out on playing at the 2022 World Cup because of his ACL injury, but did take part in all five of his country's games at last year's European Championships. Advertisement Together with Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, he looks destined to be at the heart of Germany's attack for years to come. 'Florian is a more direct player (than Musiala), a strategic playmaker,' said former Germany coach Joachim Löw. 'He constantly has his head up, always looking for his teammates, and has the vision to play that decisive final pass.' At Liverpool, Wirtz will be part of a talented midfield featuring Alexis Mac Allister – a World Cup winner with Argentina – Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, as well as linking up with former Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, who the Reds also signed last month. On top of prolific goalscorer Mohamed Salah signing a new contract with the club at the end of last season, Wirtz's arrival gives Slot an array of attacking options next season. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is Florian Wirtz, the $156 million man joining Liverpool?
Premier League champion Liverpool has announced the arrival of German midfielder Florian Wirtz – a statement signing in this summer transfer window. Wirtz joins Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £116.5 million (around $156 million), according to multiple UK media reports, and will only strengthen Arne Slot's title-winning side heading into next season. Advertisement It makes Wirtz the most expensive player in British soccer, his reported price tag potentially exceeding the £115 million ($146 million) that Chelsea paid for Ecuadorian midfielder Moisés Caicedo. 'I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me,' Wirtz told 'This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League. 'I will see how I can perform there. I hope I can do my best. I spoke also with some players who played there and they told me that it's perfect for me and every pitch is perfect, you can enjoy every game. I'm really looking forward to playing my first game.' Advertisement At the age of 22, Wirtz has already made a hugely impressive start to his career with club and country. After joining the Bayer Leverkusen youth setup, he was soon elevated to the first team aged 17 years and 15 days, becoming the club's then-youngest player to feature in the Bundesliga. More records would follow, with Wirtz becoming the league's youngest goalscorer when he netted in a defeat against Bayern Munich in 2020, a record that has since been passed by Borussia Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko. A torn ACL three years ago halted the playmaker's progress and put him out of action for 10 months, but Wirtz bided his time on the sidelines and went on to play a starring role in Leverkusen's astonishing 2023-24 season, winning the German Cup and a first-ever league title. Only a defeat against Atalanta in the Europa League final denied Leverkusen a famous treble, putting an end to a 51-game unbeaten run. Advertisement Wirtz had 18 goals and 20 assists in all competitions that season, then went on to notch 16 goals – six of which came in the Champions League – and 15 assists in 45 games last year. In that time, the midfielder established himself as one of the most sought-after players in Europe. Understandably, Wirtz has been heaped with praise. Barcelona and former German national team manager Hansi Flick called him 'the full package,' while former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes went as far as to label him 'probably the best midfielder in the world.' Wirtz dribbles during the recent Nations League match between Germany and France. -Already an established member of the German national team, Wirtz missed out on playing at the 2022 World Cup because of his ACL injury, but did take part in all five of his country's games at last year's European Championships. Advertisement Together with Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, he looks destined to be at the heart of Germany's attack for years to come. 'Florian is a more direct player (than Musiala), a strategic playmaker,' said former Germany coach Joachim Löw. 'He constantly has his head up, always looking for his teammates, and has the vision to play that decisive final pass.' At Liverpool, Wirtz will be part of a talented midfield featuring Alexis Mac Allister – a World Cup winner with Argentina – Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, as well as linking up with former Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, who the Reds also signed last month. On top of prolific goalscorer Mohamed Salah signing a new contract with the club at the end of last season, Wirtz's arrival gives Slot an array of attacking options next season. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Brightline station food hall in Miami reopens with popular local favorites
Brightline's Central Fare food hall in downtown Miami has reopened with brand-new vendors, more than a few of them very familiar to Miami diners. The Central Fare Food Collective features 12 concepts, all but one of which are Miami born-and-bred, including Stanzione Pizza; a sushi concept from the creator of Mr. Omakase; a couple of Michelin-recognized spots; and the insanely popular pop-up The Wolf of Tacos, the first permanent spot for them. The vendors were curated by Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage, in collaboration with Brightline. Working with Brightline, Bendersky said, made this one of the best projects he has ever worked on. 'They were so cool when I pitched them the 305 idea,' Bendersky said. 'I believed the vendors had to be local and upstarts. I knew if we could make it affordable for them and allow them to make money and keep costs lower to customers, it would work.' Vendors will also have the ability to offer delivery options, Bendersky said, a good plan considering the population density of that part of Miami. 'For this to work, it had to be local people foodies want,' he said. 'We've got the Beaker & Gray guys running the bar! It really does feel like a community.' Central Fare vendors Cotoita: This concept by Ecuadorian chef Alejandra Espinoza, whose restaurant Cotoa was named to the 2025 Michelin Guide earlier this year, will offer empanadas de queso, bowls and patacones with sweet paletas for desserts. El Turco Express: From the creators of the Michelin Bib Gourmand El Turco in Upper Buena Vista, this spot will serve kebabs, hummus, baklava and other Turkish specialties. Guchi's Handroll Bar: Andrew Mayer, the founder of Poke OG, Mr. Omakase and Miss Crispy Rice, is offering sushi handrolls, including the Surf & Turf made wit hA5 Wagyu Beef and crab. There are also poke bowl options. Icy-N-Spicy: Owner Xiaoli Liu offers artisan desserts like chocolate-covered strawberries and Dubai chocolate bars made with phyllo, pistachio and chocolate. Josh's Corner Diner: If you've never visited the Michelin-recommended Josh's Deli in Surfside, here's your chance to see what the fuss is. This diner offers classic breakfast fare like pancakes, French toast, bagels, breakfast sandwiches and more. At lunch, try tuna melts, po'boys, burgers and other diner fare. Peel!: Peel! from Valeria Alvarez offers natural, vegan desserts that start as bananas and coconut milk and turn into creamy soft serve. Peppi's Steaks & Hoagies: The creator of Peppi's Pizza brings the best of Philly to Miami with hoagies and cheesesteaks (either the Philly classic or something a little different, like a buffalo chicken cheesesteak). Rosetta Bakery: Expect Italian-style baked goods Stanzione Pizza: Franco Stanzione started making his Neoapolitan pizzas in Miami in 2013 and will serve them here, along with pasta dishes like spaghetti pomodoro. Stephanie's Crepes: This spot offers sweet creeps (with fresh fruit, custard or yogurt) or savory crepes (with greens, proteins and sauces). Switchpoint Station Bar: The Unfiltered Hospitality team mans Central Fare's bar, offering cocktails and mocktails as well as tea and coffee drinks The Wolf of Tacos: Chef Eduardo Lara started his beloved brand in 2020, selling tacos out of his home and eventually popping up around Miami. This is his first brick-and-mortar kitchen, offering the street tacos that made him Miami famous. Central Fare Where: 600 NW First Ave., Miami Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily; hours of actual vendors may vary day to day More information:
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Migrant Faces Up To 2 Years In Prison For Entering New Border Military Zone
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An Ecuadorian man has become the first migrant to be convicted of entering the new military zone at the Southern border. Dario Javier Trejo-Burbano faces up to two years in prison for entering the newly designated National Defense Area, a restricted area established by the Department of the Army under the Trump administration earlier this year. This is a breaking news story, updates to follow.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Florian Wirtz holidays with Liverpool star before £116m transfer as Milos Kerkez update revealed
German forward Wirtz is expected to fly in for a medical on Merseyside on Friday after a mammoth deal was finally struck with Bayer Leverkusen last week worth an initial guaranteed £100million up front plus a further potential £16m in add-ons, which if met would make it the most expensive signing in the history of British football, overtaking Chelsea's £115m swoop for Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton in the summer of 2023. Wirtz has been on holiday since Germany's Nations League finals campaign on home soil ended with a last-four defeat by eventual winners Portugal - in which he scored - and subsequent third-place play-off loss to France last weekend, having already agreed personal terms with Liverpool as he prepares to finalise the move after a break. Frimpong has now posted a picture of the pair relaxing on holiday on a boat in a sunny location, with the Dutch international defender having already sealed his own £29.5m switch from Leverkusen to Anfield last month as Trent Alexander-Arnold's long-term right-back replacement following the latter's early £10m move to Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Alongside a snap of himself and Wirtz posing on the boat, Frimpong posted on social media: 'Vacation mode with my bro.' Wirtz and Frimpong played together for four seasons at Leverkusen after the latter joined from Celtic in 2021, each enjoying a key role in the Xabi Alonso team that won a memorable Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2023/24, narrowly missing out on a trophy treble after losing the Europa League final to Atalanta in Dublin. Liverpool fans will hope that the pair are swiftly joined at Anfield by Milos Kerkez, who looks to be firmly on track to complete a £45m move from Bournemouth soon having spoken to Reds supporters on a recent live stream and held up a flag of a Liverpool supporters' group in Serbia. The father and agent of Kerkez - an international team-mate and close friend of Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai with Hungary - also confirmed that his son joining Liverpool was now 'basically a done deal' as he hailed the impact of Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director who signed Kerkez from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar during his time at Bournemouth. 'It's only Liverpool for us and we're not going anywhere else and we won't talk to other clubs,' Sebastijan Kerkez told the Super Indirektno podcast. 'Everything is done between us, we just need to sort out some details. But it's basically a done deal." On Hughes, he said: 'Richard Hughes brought us to Bournemouth, if he said we go to India, then we go to India. Everything is agreed, just some little things.' Kerkez's proposed transfer to Liverpool had already looked to be moving closer this week after Bournemouth signed French left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes - his assumed replacement - in a £10.1m deal. Alongside Frimpong, Wirtz and likely Kerkez, Liverpool are also welcoming Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer after a £29m deal was agreed with Valencia last year. Fellow goalkeeper Armin Pesci, 20, has also arrived from Hungarian side Puskas Akademia, with the Reds securing new competition and support for first-choice stopper Alisson Becker after long-time deputy Caoimhin Kelleher's £18m switch to Brentford. Left-back stalwart Andy Robertson could yet leave amid the pursuit of Kerkez, having now been linked with Atletico Madrid as he enters the final year of his Liverpool contract. If he stays, then understudy Kostas Tsimikas could depart instead, Sky Sports claim, with Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Leeds all linked with the Greek defender.
