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Mid-Day Ticker: Robben inks new Bayern deal, Spurs lock up Walker & more

Robben (Reuters Pictures)

By THOMAS FLOYD

It turns out Arjen Robben and Bayern Munich won't be parting ways anytime soon.

After months of rumors surrounding the Dutch winger's future, Robben has signed a new deal that will keep him with the German giants through 2015. The 28-year-old has scored 16 goals in all competitions for Bayern this season while helping the club secure a place in the Champions League final in Munich on May 19.

Robben, who joined Bayern in August 2009 via a transfer from Real Madrid, said on the club's website that the organization "is like a family to me."

"Two of my three children were born in Munich, and my family and I feel at home here," Robben added. "This contract extension is also the right decision for me from a sporting perspective."

Here are some more stories to keep your Thursday rolling:

TOTTENHAM SIGNS WALKER THROUGH 2017

Tottenham right back Kyle Walker, who at 21 years old is one of the English Premier League's top young talents, has signed a new deal that will keep with at White Hart Lane through 2017.

The Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year had played on loan with Sheffield United, Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa before starting 35 league matches for Tottenham this season.

HOFFENHEIM ADDS WIESE, DERDIYOK

German side Hoffenheim has added goalkeeper Tim Wiese and striker Eren Derdiyok to bolster a roster that includes U.S internationals Fabian Johnson, Danny Williams and Joe Gyau.

Wiese, the Germany national team No. 2, arrives on a free transfer from Werder Bremen. Derdiyok, a Swiss international, was acquired for an undisclosed fee from Bayer Leverkusen and was the author of this goal earlier this season. Wiese will compete with Tom Starke for the starting position next season, while Derdiyok will help fill the void created by the January transfer of Vedad Ibisevic to Stuttgart.

HODGSON LOOKS TO RECONCILE FERDINAND, TERRY

Days after being named the England national team's new manager, Roy Hodgson has already mapped out plans to speak with center back Rio Ferdinand to see if the Manchester United defender would be willing to play alongside Chelsea's John Terry at Euro 2012.

Terry, of course, has been accused of making racist remarks toward Anton Ferdinand, Rio's younger brother, when the Blues played at Queens Park Rangers in October. Terry will stand trial in July.

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How important was it for Bayern to retain Robben's services? Can Walker develop into one of the world's finest right backs with Tottenham? How big are the additions of Wiese and Derdiyok for Hoffenheim? Do you see a Terry-Ferdinand partnership ever working again for England?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Robben is mean on the field but then you get into a do I want this guy as my jerk or their jerk analysis.

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  2. A noble effort, but I would argue that Oden is actually starting to look younger, somewhat like Brad Pitt in the film the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

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  3. MLSsoccer.com, referencing comments from an AZ assistant coach, is reporting that Jozy actually hit his back on the concrete wall, not his head. His back is seriously bruised, but it doesn’t seem like anything serious is injured. He is, however, doubtful for AZ’s final game of the season.

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  4. Why would you want either Terry OR Ferdinand? Haven’t they both declined rather noticeably? Ferdinand more than Terry. Are those two the best England have?

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  5. When I first saw him play (a few years back, when he was coming back from one of his many injuries), I thought that he was an older guy who still had some serious pace but couldn’t go a full 90 regularly (sort of like Bellamy these days) and I was shocked to hear that he was young.

    Since then I have grown to hate Floppin’ Robben and every time I see him, I can’t help but think that he looks like the pedophile in Sin City, weird body and all.

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  6. Some players would have to leave Dortmund as well for Dempsey to work out there. Hopefully United get Kagawa, especially since Reus is coming in. Speaking of Dempsey, I’m surprised no one has mentioned that Liverpool expressed interest in him, although I seriously hope he’s not considering going there, since they won’t be in the CL and I can’t see them competing for a spot next season either…

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  7. yeah… Robben extended ’cause no one else wants him and his silly high maintenance BS.

    I swear I keep thinking that Dempsey would be great at a Bundesliga club and if someone were to leave Bayern I could see that happening. But if no one leaves there’d be no point… Dortmund would be a great fit.

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  8. Terry certainly has declined. But if Roy’s system is played with the requisite discipline Terry will get sufficient cover. The problem is, how do you get the training time necessary to make Roy’s system stick?

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  9. I think Hodgson is a great coach; but why would you even want Terry there? Nevermind the fact that he is an a$$hat, but he has lost any and all talent he once had.

    Reply

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