Transfers

Portuguese Premier League Club Sign Korede Osundina

Orange County SC partner club Feyenoord Rotterdam announced the permanent transfer of forward Korede Osundina to Portuguese Premier League club Casa Pia A.C.

“Korede’s transfer from Feyenoord to Casa Pia A.C. marks a historic milestone for the club, becoming the first-ever secondary transfer in our history,” said Peter Nugent, OCSC President of Soccer Operations & General Manager. “This moment highlights our unwavering commitment to a forward-thinking development model that not only nurtures talent but also creates clear pathways for young players to build successful professional careers.”

In 2023 Osundina was the first player to be transferred between OCSC and Feyenoord after the clubs formed a first-of-its-kind collaborative partnership. He was loaned to FC Dordrecht in September 2023, where he made 54 appearances, and scored ten goals and six assists.

Korede isn’t the only former OCSC player on the move. Last week Stade de Reims in the French Premier League loaned former OCSC center-back Kobi Henry to MLS side Real Salt Lake.

Osundina’s contract with Feyenoord runs until mid-2026 and details of the transfer will not be released.

Transfers

Marcus Rashford Bids Farewell To His Manchester United Teammates

Marcus Rashford has said his goodbyes to teammates at Manchester United on Saturday as he heads towards his move to Aston Villa.

The 27-year old spoke to United staff and players at Carrington after being given the green light for his loan switch to Villa Park.

Personal terms have been agreed and the finer details of terms between clubs are being ironed out.

Unai Emery has been keen to strengthen his striking options and add pace following the £65m sale of Jhon Duran to Al Nassr. But the move for Rashford is not without risk following his performances for United in recent months.

Rashford has been at United since he was eight years old and is expected to wrap up his move within the next 24 hours.

The England international has fallen out of favour at his boyhood club and is being allowed to leave before the window closes on Monday. Rashford’s wages of about £350,000 are well in excess of the salary of Villa’s top earner, though to be Emi Martinez.

It is understood Villa will contribute a significant proportion of Rashford’s salary, which will included performance-based clauses. The agreement is also set to include a buy option at the end of the season.

After selling Jhon Duran to Al Nassr for a deal that could reach £70million, Villa were left with Ollie Watkins as their only senior centre-forward. Emery said Watkins would not leave this month despite a bid from Arsenal last Wednesday.

Though Arsenal believed Watkins was open to joining them, Emery tried to shut down the move on Friday, with Villa preparing to take on Wolves at Molineux on Saturday. He had been keen to bring in Joao Felix but AC Milan are also pushing to sign the Chelsea forward.

Rashford isn’t the only departure expected from United on Saturday. Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia has also said his farewells to teammates at Carrington as he looks to join Benfica.

Transfers

Aston Villa among clubs eyeing Marcus Rashford as Transfer deadline looms

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United’s out-of-favour striker Marcus Rashford, who has not featured for the Red Devils since being dropped for the Manchester derby on December 12.

United head coach Ruben Amorim recently expressed his desire to reintegrate Rashford but emphasized that the player had failed to meet the standards required of his squad.

“I feel the side would be better with Rashford in it,” Amorim said, “but the player has not met the standards I demand.”

Rashford’s representatives have been in discussions with several top European clubs to assess interest. With the transfer window closing on Monday at 23:00 GMT, Rashford’s future remains uncertain, though a loan move appears to be the most likely outcome.

Villa, keen to strengthen their attack for Champions League football in March, are reportedly among the clubs interested. However, there is no confirmation of formal contact with United, nor clarity on whether Rashford would be open to the move.

Barcelona, believed to be Rashford’s preferred destination, also remain a contender despite ongoing financial uncertainties.

A major factor complicating any potential deal is Rashford’s salary, which exceeds £300,000 per week. United are hesitant to subsidize wages in any transfer, either loan or permanent, as they continue efforts to cut costs.

Transfers

Jhon Duran joins Al-Nassr from Aston Villa in £71m deal

Striker Jhon Duran has completed a move from Aston Villa to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a deal that could rise to £71 million.

The Colombian forward will link up with new teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in Riyadh.

“Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al Nassr,” the club stated. “Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career.”

Duran was an unused substitute in Villa’s 4-2 win over Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday, a result that secured their spot in the competition’s last 16.

The 20-year-old had joined Villa from Chicago Fire for £18 million in January 2023 but has been linked with a move away since last summer, with West Ham reportedly showing long-term interest.

Duran scored 12 goals in 29 games for Villa this season, totaling 20 goals in 78 appearances, though only seven of those were in league starts.

With Duran’s departure, Ollie Watkins is now Villa’s sole main striker. Watkins, however, has been the subject of recent interest from Arsenal, though Villa have made it clear they have no intention of letting him go.

Villa boss Unai Emery addressed the situation, stating on Wednesday: “I don’t want [to sell]. It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad. Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.”

Aston Villa also signed forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund during the window, though he is primarily seen as a replacement for Moussa Diaby, who joined Al-Ittihad in the summer.