Chelsea confirmed on Friday that they have signed striker Dean Sturridge on a free transfer from Premier League rivals Manchester City. “Daniel Sturridge has agreed to join on a four-year contract,” a Chelsea statement said on the club website.
The 19 year old impressed last season, scoring four goals, and rejected a contract extension at City. He is Chelsea’s second signing of the summer, following goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, who joined from Middlesbrough
Andy Murray expects to move on quickly from his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Andy Roddick, ready to get to training work in the United States prior to his next event in August. The home hero went down to the sixth-seeded American 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) as Roddick won into a third Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. But far from hanging his head, world number three Murray was energised about the state of a game which has improved dramatically over the past 18 months.
“I’ll move on very, very quickly and go and work on my game and improve and come back stronger,” said the Scot. “That’s a pathetic attitude to have, if you lose one match and you go away and let it ruin your year.” Murray will move onto his favourite portion of the season when he steps onto North American hardcourts, playing his next event in Cincinnati from August 10 onwards.
Sanya Richards of the United States lowered her 2009 world best over 400 metres on Friday at the Bislett Games as she remained in the hunt for the Golden League 1-million dollar jackpot. Richards posted 49.23 seconds, making her .34 of a second faster than in her victory at the Golden League opener on June 14 in Berlin. Shericka Williams of Jamaica became the second women this year to dip below 50 seconds, clocking 49.98 seconds.
World and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu was no factor in sixth place in 51.19. Athletes who win their event at all six stops of the elite series, the other meets being in Rome, Paris, Zurich and Brussels, are eligible for the 1 million dollar prize. The jackpot dream of Antigua sprinter Daniel Bailey ended when the Berlin winner was beaten in a 100m photo finish by former world record holder Donovan Bailey on the finish line, with both timed in a modest 10.07 seconds.
Striker Michael Owen completed his free-transfer move to English football champions Manchester United on Friday. The 29 year old underwent stringent medical tests before signing a two-year contract on what is believed to be a pay-as-you-play basis with a basic weekly wage topped up by bonuses. “Michael is a world-class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question,” said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish.” Owen struggled with injuries in three years at Newcastle United, and with his form sliding fell out of Fabio Capello’s England squad. He admitted United’s approach had come as a shock. “I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me and invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me,” he said.
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