Women’s Super League side of Aston Villa have announced the signing of Nigeria international Rofiat Imuran, subject to visa approval.

The club announced on it website that Imuran becomes Villa’s ninth signing of the summer transfer window, joining the club from London City Lionesses.

Predominantly a fullback, Imuran already has some WSL experience, having made 10 appearances in the division last season during her final campaign with London City Lionesses.

The 22-year-old began her senior career with Rivers Angels before moving to France, where she represented Stade de Reims Féminines.

She subsequently made the switch to English football in 2024.

During her two seasons in France, Imuran established herself as an attack-minded modern fullback, scoring seven goals in 27 appearances.

At international level, Imuran was part of the Super Falcons squads for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup and the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

She featured once during Nigeria’s campaign in Morocco, while she was an unused substitute at the 2023 World Cup.

Before making the step up to the senior national team, Imuran represented the Falconets at the 2022 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup.

For the 2026-2027 season, the Nigerian defender will wear the number 22 shirt at Aston Villa.

Nigeria’s road to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup is far from done. If anything, D’Tigers are firmly back on track following a dominant 100-84 win over Cape Verde.

The victory lifts Nigeria to 5-4 and keeps them on track in pursuit of a return to the World Cup with three more qualifying games to play.

“We needed that win to stay in the fight and give ourselves a chance. I told the guys if we get to five wins we are within striking distance of qualifying in the next window,” Nigeria’s coach David Fizdale said.

Caleb Agada netted 26 points, going 8-for-11 from 3-point range, and made 6 assists. Josh Okogie had a near triple double, with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assistscoupled with 4 steals.

Efe Obogidi went 3-fo-4 on 3-pointer and perfect on the line for 11 points while skipper Ike Nwamu contributed 14 points.

Okogie, who was part of the Nigeria team in their last World Cup in 2019, is pleased they are still in the fight to return to the global showpiece despite losing thefirst two games of the window.

“You never feel good after a loss but you never play as bad as you think you played and you never play as good as you think you played. I think this team has done a great job this window.

“Obviously 1-2 is not the result we wanted but at the end of the day we are not completely out of this; we are within striking distance. As long as there is life and just having that nigerian blood we can get this thing done,” Okogie said.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has addressed mounting concerns regarding Lamine Yamal’s recent form and on-pitch demeanour following a demanding summer schedule.

The German tactician moved to reassure supporters after the 19-year-old winger noticeably lacked his trademark smile during the opening weeks of the 2026/27 La Liga campaign.

Yamal recently returned to the Barcelona starting lineup following a brief three-week holiday.

His truncated break followed an intense summer where he represented Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup immediately after recovering from a significant injury earlier in the year.

Flick acknowledged that Yamal struggled to find his rhythm during Barcelona’s season-opening fixtures.

“I know everyone is worried about how is Lamine, how he is doing,” Flick told reporters on Sunday.

“And of course, look at his situation; he played a World Cup after a huge injury. Now he’s coming back after three weeks holiday, and also the first game maybe was not his best game.”
Despite the slow start, Flick expressed satisfaction with Yamal’s tactical discipline and overall work rate.

The teenager completed the full 90 minutes during Barcelona’s recent 2-0 league victory over Athletic Club on August 27, 2026.

Flick highlighted that extended time on the pitch against the Basque outfit was a crucial step in rebuilding the winger’s match fitness.

“He played 90 minutes against Bilbao, and for him at the moment, it’s also good to have 90 minutes on the pitch,” Flick explained.

The Barcelona manager also dismissed worries surrounding the player’s apparent lack of joy on the pitch.

Flick insisted that Yamal’s mood remains positive behind the scenes at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

“Of course, it’s always good when the players are smiling, but it’s not every day the same day,” Flick stated. “I’m also not smiling every day, it’s like that.”

Flick confirmed he has already witnessed a return to peak form during recent closed-door training sessions.

“We saw him in some situations really on this top level,” Flick concluded. “And now, you couldn’t see this in the training session today, but I saw it and it was excellent.”