Former Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard is training with Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.
The 30-year-old, a free agent since a disappointing spell with Nottingham Forest ended in the summer, is spending a month on trial with the Saudi club managed by Steven Gerrard.
It was thought that Lingard would be moving back to West Ham United, where is spent a successful loan spell in 2021, scoring nine goals in 16 appearances and providing five assists for David Moyes' side.
He had been training with the London club as he looked to build fitness ahead of deciding his next move.
West Ham manager Moyes was asked about Lingard’s future at the club on Friday and made no reference to the Saudi Arabia move.
“I think Jesse is starting to get himself back, he’s had the best part of a month now like preseason work and is involved in a lot of the football,” he said. “So he’s doing well but we’ve got no real update to give you from what I’ve said before.
“But we’re happy to try to get Jesse in the right condition.”
But Lingard has instead linked up with Ettifaq where former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is currently captain.
He becomes the fifth former Premier League player to join Ettifaq after Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, ex-Everton winger Demarai Gray and former Fulham player Moussa Dembele.
Lingard left Manchester United in the summer of 2022 after his contract at Old Trafford came to an end following two decades at the club after becoming increasingly frustrated at his lack of game time.
Lingard scored 35 goals in 232 appearances for the Red Devils, who he joined at the age of seven.
West Ham had again been keen to re-sign the player but Lingard decided instead to join newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal, with the Irons not interested in entering a bidding war with other clubs.
“There were lots of other options,” Lingard told BBC Radio 5 Live after his move. “I could have gone abroad for a lot of money but I want to stay in the Premier League.
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“I spoke to the owners and they showed that love. They wanted to come to my house, they wanted to come to London, all in quick succession to try to get the deal done.
“When I see that sort of love, of course I am going to say yes, but it had to be the right deal for me and my family.
“I can see the project they're building and it's going to look good this season. I feel a positive vibe around the camp.”
But Lingard made just 17 Premier League appearances for Steve Cooper's side – who ended the campaign 16th – without scoring a goal.
Lingard has scored six goals in 32 games for England, winning the last of his caps in the 5-0 win away to Andorra in October 2021.
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
Leaderboard
63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)
64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)
66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)
67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)
68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)
69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
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The specs
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm
Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto
Price: From Dh139,995
On sale: now
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
