Willian Signs with Arsenal

Willian is switching sides

The 32-year-old Brazilian professional footballer and midfielder, whose full name is Willian Borges da Silva, has signed with Arsenal on a free transfer after his departure from Chelsea.

Willian

Willian ended his seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge and signed a three-year deal with the Gunners.

Willian’s deal is worth a reported £220,000-a-week.

“I believe he’s a player that can really make a difference for us,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said. “We have been monitoring him for the past few months, we had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions, [and] he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions.

“He has the experience of everything in the football world but to still have the ambition to come here and contribute to bring the club where it belongs. I have been really impressed with all the talks I have had with him and how much he wanted to come.”

Arteta is looking to strengthen his squad ahead of next season. William Saliba joined them after Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares signed permanent deals in June.

Arsenal’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea — which Willian missed because of an Achilles injury — means they can at least offer Europa League football next season.

Willian won two Premier League titles, the Europa League, the FA Cup and the League Cup during his time at Chelsea.

Neymar Leads Brazil to Victory Over Mexico at the FIFA World Cup

Neymar is makin’ his mark on the global stage’…

The 26-year-old Brazilian soccer star helped propel his national team into the quarterfinals at the FIFA World Cup by scoring the winning goal against Mexico.

Neymar

It was Neymar’s second goal at the 2018 World Cup, and his sixth overall in World Cup competition.

Roberto Firmino put it away near the buzzer to seal the 2-0 victory, ending a tournament for El Tri that started perfectly and ended horribly.

The talented Brazilians were by far the stronger team in the match, but Mexico had chances to make it more of a game. In the end, Mexico leaves Russia with consecutive scoreless matches. Brazil had 21 shots, 10 on frame, but a fantastic performance from keeper Guillermo Ochoa kept Mexico in it.

Mexico saw plenty of the ball in the box, recording 13 shots, but only one tested Alisson in goal.

With the match going back and forth, the winner came on 51 minutes off a stellar bit of play by Neymar. He got the ball to Willian, and the winger returned the favor in front of goal to open the scoring.

Brazil will next face Belgium in the quarterfinals.

Brazil finished fourth in the cup in 2014, but crashed out in the quarterfinals in 2006 and 2010.

Willian Agrees to Five-Year Deal with Chelsea

Willian Borges da Silva’s move could be called a case of “From Russia with Love”…

The 25-year-old Brazilian soccer star, commonly known as Willian, has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea.

Willian

“I’m very happy to be here, it’s been a dream of mine to come and play here,” the Blues’ latest addition said in comments posted on Chelsea’s official Web site.

The attacking midfielder was picked up from Russia’s Anzhi Makhachkala for 32 million pounds ($49.6 million).

The Chelsea faithful got a good look at Willian in 2012, when he scored two goals for visiting Shakhtar Donetsk in a Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Shakhtar sent Willian to Anzhi Makhachkala in January for a transfer fee of 35 million euros ($47 million).

Tottenham Hotspur brought Willian to London earlier this week for a medical ahead of Spurs’ expected signing of the star, but Chelsea snatched the midfielder away from their Premier League rivals.

Willian is Chelsea’s fourth acquisition during the summer transfer window, which closes September 2, and Blues manager Jose Mourinho signaled last week that the club was still in the market for new talent.

On Tuesday, Mourinho gave Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney 48 hours to decide if he wants to leave Old Trafford from Stamford Bridge.