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West Ham United want to sign one club's "fundamental" defender who's even been called a "symbol" of his manager's playing style.

West Ham form this season

Manager David Moyes' fortunes have taken a real upturn recently, after battling relegation for much of the 2022/2023 Premier League campaign. Indeed, back in early June, West Ham won their first trophy since the 1980s and first European piece of silverware since 1965; clinching the Europa Conference League on a stunning night in Prague.

Building upon that success, Moyes has since brought in new recruits and guided West Ham to seventh in the Premier League table; winning four out of a possible eight. Only Man City and Liverpool can say they've beaten the Hammers so far, over what has been a very promising start to the new campaign – with Moyes recently expressing his delight at West Ham's last few games.

"I always knew in between the international breaks that we had four games which were Manchester City, Liverpool, Sheffield United and Newcastle, so it was always going to be hard to take too many points," said the Scotsman to West Ham's official website.

"In my head, I thought ‘if we can get four points from those games, that won’t be too bad’, but obviously I was hoping to get more. In between, we had a couple of cup wins as well, which helped, so I’m quite pleased with the way the last month has gone."

Will West Ham sign anyone in January?

However, the east Londoners may be forced to take a dip into the transfer market once again sooner rather than later. A plethora of Moyes' squad, namely Tomas Soucek, Pablo Fornals, Ben Johnson, Vladimir Coufal, Michail Antonio, Conor Coventry, Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and veteran defender Angelo Ogbonna, are out of contract at the end of this season as things stand. As well as this, both Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma have been linked with moves away to Saudi Arabia recently, prompting West Ham links to a new centre-back.

Harry Maguire, who is struggling at Man United right now, is being mentioned again after West Ham's summer interest while new names like Fiorentina star Lucas Martinez Quarta have also been identified as options. Sharing a Martinez Quarta transfer update, Italian news outlet Calciomercato.it claim the Irons have set their sights on the Argentine alongside high-flying Brighton. The report goes on to state that Martinez Quarta is a "fundamental" player for Fiorentina, and even a "symbol" of the way manager Vincenzo Italiano likes to play.

While there has been no official talks or contact thus far, Calciomercato.it suggest that it could well happen from a West Ham perspective. According to statistical football website WhoScored, the centre-back actually stands out as La Viola's best-performing player per 90 in Serie A so far. The 27-year-old has even chipped in with two goals going forward, with this form perhaps attracting the attention of Moyes at West Ham.

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Um dia depois da eliminação traumática para o Lanús na Copa Sul-Americana, o São Paulo voltou aos treinos no CT da Barra Funda. Recuperados de lesão, Igor Vinícius, Hernanes e Juanfran trabalharam com bola junto com o restante dos jogadores que não iniciaram o jogo contra os argentinos, na última quarta. Os titulares fizeram exercícios regenerativos.

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>Veja como está a classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro

O Tricolor não terá tempo para lamentar a queda na competição continental. Já no sábado, a equipe volta a campo para enfrentar o Goiás, na abertura do returno do Campeonato Brasileiro, e vai em busca das primeiras colocações. Hoje, embora esteja na quinta colocação, o São Paulo é o dono do melhor aproveitamento do torneio, com 62,5% dos pontos conquistados.

Pensando nisso, a comissão técnica já realizou uma atividade de olho na partida do fim de semana. Sob a supervisão de Fernando Diniz e seus auxiliares, os reservas realizaram alguns exercícios técnicos de passes, finalizações e cruzamentos.

Enquanto isso, os atletas que iniciaram a partida contra o Lanús, ficaram sob os cuidados dos fisioterapeutas e preparadores físicos nos exercícios regenerativos. Exceção ao lateral Daniel Alves, suspenso pelo terceiro cartão amarelo, o São Paulo não tem desfalques para o fim de semana e deve ir a campo com o time completo.

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Star allrounder Ben Stevens once again came to the fore for Jersey, striking the key blow to dismiss his opposite number Patrick Matautaava early in the Vanuatu innings before taking three more wickets to wipe out the tail in Jersey’s seven-wicket win at the UKM-YSD Oval in Bangi.Having defeated Vanuatu in their three prior encounters at 2016 and 2017 Division Five, Jersey took advantage of a crucial toss on a dusty pitch at a ground that only opened at the start of the year and was being used for the very first time as an international tournament venue. Left-arm swing bowler Cornelis Bodenstein struck the first two blows inside the Powerplay before Stevens was brought on in the 11th over. He dismissed Matautaava with his third ball, spinning one past a forward prod to clip off stump and make it 48 for 3.Once the new ball went soft, scoring became increasingly difficult for Vanuatu. Player-coach Shane Deitz, making his international debut for his adopted country ten years after his final first-class match for South Australia, produced a dogged effort to anchor much of the innings and top-scored with 36 off 73 balls.But Jersey captain Charles Perchard dislodged him off the last ball before the second drinks break, brilliantly caught behind off an attempted cut by Jake Dunford standing up to the stumps for the medium-pacer. When play resumed, Stevens returned to the attack and needed just two overs to take the final three wickets.Offspinner Jelany Chilia sparked a brief early wobble in Jersey’s chase, taking three wickets after coming on in the sixth over. But Nat Watkins ground his way to an unbeaten 36 off 84 balls and found support from Nick Ferraby, who swept very effectively to pick up four boundaries in a 28 not out off 47 balls. The pair generated an unbroken 50-run stand to take Jersey home with 18.5 overs to spare.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe second day at Newlands six years ago was unforgettable. Four innings in one day, South Africa rolled for 96, then Australia humiliated for less than half that. Nathan Lyon top scored for Australia from No.11. The difference in day two, 2011, and day two, 2018, could be neatly summed up by the fact that this time around, Lyon scored as many on his own as Australia’s entire team did back then: 47. And yet, if it wasn’t a car-crash-like pile-up of wickets, there were still reasons to remember this day’s cricket.It began with Dean Elgar becoming the first man in Test history to carry his bat through an innings twice in the same year, and also joining Desmond Haynes as the only men to have carried their bat three times in a Test career. It continued with Kagiso Rabada winning a breathless mini-battle with David Warner, and progressed further with Morne Morkel becoming the fifth South African to take 300 Test wickets. And the day was capped off by a counter-attack from Lyon and Tim Paine, whose 66-run ninth-wicket stand put Australia back in the contest.At stumps, called 10 minutes early due to bad light for the second consecutive evening, Australia were 245 for 9, with Paine on 33 and Josh Hazlewood on 1. They still trailed by 66 runs after Elgar and South Africa’s tail added 45 to their overnight total for the loss of their last two wickets, to take their total to 311. But from 175 for 8 not long after the tea break, Australia were at least within touch by the close of play.Earlier, Morkel had run through Australia’s middle order to firmly justify his recall after being left out for Lungi Ngidi in Port Elizabeth. Morkel has already announced that he will retire at the end of this series, but judging by this performance, he still has something to offer. Morkel’s bounce troubled the Australians and he struck in his very first over, when he had Usman Khawaja caught at deep backward square leg hooking for 5 shortly before lunch.After the break, Morkel added the wickets of Steven Smith and Shaun Marsh, and then returned late in the day to end Lyon’s fighting innings to finish the day with 4 for 87 and a good chance of completing an eighth career five-wicket haul in Tests. The big breakthrough was the dismissal of Smith, whose uncharacteristically lean tour continued when he failed to get on top of the bounce from Morkel and sent a catch to Elgar at gully on 5.Shaun Marsh added 78 for the fourth wicket with Cameron Bancroft but again failed to build on a start when he chased a wide one from Morkel and gained a thick edge through to Quinton de Kock. That marked the 300th Test wicket for Morkel, who let out a long and loud roar after joining Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Allan Donald as the only South Africans to reach the milestone.Bancroft played an innings full of intent, moving to his third Test half-century from 59 balls and striking 14 boundaries on his way to 77, but he missed the chance for a maiden hundred when Vernon Philander made brilliant use of seam movement to jag one back in and trap Bancroft lbw. Philander soon added Mitchell Marsh, who was caught behind for 5, and when Rabada had Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc both caught at slip cheaply a quick finish was on the cards.But South Africa could not finish the job, and Lyon managed eight boundaries – including some truly classy drives on the up – to achieve his best Test score of 47 before skying a chance off Morkel that was brilliantly taken by Elgar running back from cover as stumps approached.Australia’s innings had started with a fascinating, if brief, contest between Rabada and Warner, two men who have each been at the centre of controversies during this series. Warner crunched five boundaries from consecutive Rabada deliveries across two overs – mostly through the off side, but one a six hooked over square leg – only to see his off stump cartwheeling like an Olympic gymnast from the very next ball when Rabada moved one from leg to off and beat the bat. In the context of a five-day Test, Warner’s 30 off 14 balls was merely a cameo.What Australia wanted from one of their openers was the kind of innings provided by Elgar, who had finished unbeaten on 141 after he and Rabada frustrated the Australians with a 50-run ninth-wicket stand. Elgar had previously batted through an entire Test innings against England in Durban in 2015, when he finished on 118, and in January this year in Johannesburg, where he finished on 86 against India.Rabada rode his luck by attempting pulls and hooks off the fast men and struck three boundaries on his way to 22. Smith persisted with Cummins and Hazlewood for the first 10 overs of the morning, before Lyon had both Rabada and Morkel caught at slip in his first over when he was finally introduced. It would not be Lyon’s only impact of the day.

Everton might have secured a new talisman in Portuguese striker Beto this week, but the Premier League side are poised for a busy finish to the summer transfer window, with late business expected.

Will Everton sign anyone on transfer deadline day?

According to the Daily Mail's Lewis Steele, West Ham United ace Maxwel Cornet is on Everton's 'list of targets' ahead of the imminent transfer deadline, and could offer some directness from the wide flanks to combat the club's substandard start to the term.

The Ivorian previously played under Sean Dyche's wing at Burnley and enjoyed a prolific stint in Lancashire, though was unable to save the Clarets from relegation.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Everton have completed a wealth of deals this summer already, but £21m-rated Cornet would undoubtedly offer a cutting edge away from the centre-forward position.

How good is Maxwel Cornet?

While Everton have bolstered the attacking channels considerably over the past few months, Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi could both find themselves headed for the exit at Goodison Park this week, with both aces admired by suitors.

Indeed, Jack Harrison, Arnaut Danjuma, Youssef Chermiti and Beto have the potential to restore the fluidity of a frontline that has yet to break the net in the English top-flight this year, with the Toffees finishing the 2022/23 season 17th as the division's second-lowest scorers.

Cornet would offer something new, and while the £65k-per-week ace has struggled to make a mark in east London after completing a £17.5m transfer from Burnley last summer, injuries have been the inhibiter and his past exploits with relegation-battling Burnley prove his worth on English soil.

As per Sofascore, the 26-year-old plundered nine goals and one assist from just 21 starts for Dyche's Turf Moor side in 2021/22, taking 1.8 shots per game, praised for his "fantastic" finishing by the present Everton manager.

Everton's Gray, who has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia and is among the favourites to leave the club, was remarked to be "unbelievable" by pundit Rio Ferdinand last year, and indeed proved a dynamic and forward-thinking cog in the club's battle against relegation.

The Jamaica international scored four goals from 27 starting appearances, taking 1.8 shots per game – like Cornet the season prior.

Considering that Cornet proved to be twice as incisive under Dyche's stewardship at Burnley, doing so at an imperilled outfit falling haplessly into the second tier, the gritty manager clearly hopes to sign one of his most prolific former players in the Premier League, moulding the side to his own creation.

Dyche's admiration is corroborated by one Pep Guardiola, who remarked upon the player's "impressive" exploits upon the Clarets' relegation in 2022.

The 30-cap star has certainly not replicated his feats at the London Stadium, with the West Ham player only making 22 appearances for the side since the start of last term, yet to score himself but laying off five assists.

A series of calf injuries proved detrimental for David Moyes' fleet-footed winger, who only managed five substitute showings in the Premier League before March last season, severing any hopes of an auspicious season on an individual level.

But with Dyche orchestrating his match action once again, Cornet could craft a resurgence to align with Everton's, and considering that he has already proved his worth among a relegation-threatened, Dyche-led outfit, he might be an astute signing ahead of deadline day.

أكد محمود تريزيجيه المحترف المصري في صفوف طرابزون سبور التركي على وجود مفاوضات بينه وبين كارلو أنشيلوتي المدير الفني الحالي لـ ريال مدريد، موضحًا رأيه في اللعب بصفوف الزمالك.

وقال تريزيجيه في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة ام بي سي مصر: “أنشيلوتي كان يريد ضمي ووضعني ضمن اهتماماته أثناء تواجدي مع قاسم باشا التركي، ووكيله تواصل معي”.

وأكمل: “في هذا الوقت أنشيلوتي كان يتولى منصب مدير فني لنابولي الإيطالي وكان فريقا كبيرا ولكن الإصابة بالرباط الصليبي أوقفت كل شيء”.

وتابع: “كنت سعيدا جدًا بانضمام إمام عاشور للأهلي، هو لاعب قوي جدًا وسيفيد الأهلي جدًا، أي لاعب يتمنى الانضمام للقلعة الحمراء”.

وواصل: “أحمد حجازي لاعب كبير جدًا ومر بظروف صعبة جدًا في حياته بسبب الإصابات، نحن أصدقاء ولكن لا أعرف ما الذي يريده”.

طالع | تريزيجيه يرد على أنباء عودته لـ الأهلي.. ويوضح علاقته بـ محمد صلاح

وزاد: “وقت عودتي للنادي الأهلي؟ وأنا واقف على قدمي وأريد الحصول على بطولات، سأعتزل كرة القدم وأنا واقف على قدمي، وأتابع الأهلي دائمًا في كل المباريات هو من صنع اسمي، ولن ألعب في نادي لمصر سوى للقلعة الحمراء”.

واستطرد: “لاعبو الأهلي رجال ويجب أن يحصلوا على حقهم صنعوا تاريخا كبيرا يجب على الجيل الحالي أن يحصل على حقه، وأيضًا الزمالك لديه لاعبين جيدين، ويوجه زيزو ومحمد عواد ودونجا وأحمد فتوح، وكلهم قريبين مني، أتمنى احتراف زيزو في الخارج”.

وبسؤاله هل من الممكن أن تنضم للزمالك؟، أردف: “الزمالك نادي كبير جدًا ومحترم ويوجد به لاعبين كثيرين، ونادي له تاريخ، وأنا لن ألعب في مصر غير للأهلي”.

وأضاف: “لو الأهلي لا يحتاجني لن ألعب لنادي منافس له ولا بيراميدز ولا الزمالك، ممكن لا أعود للعب في مصر نهائيًا، والمقابل المادي لن يفرق معي”.

وواصل: “محمد أبو تريكة قبل اعتزاله كرة القدم قال لي لا تجعل أحد يرتدي قميص 22 وطلب مني أن ارتدي قميصه، قلت له هذا رقم أسطورة صعب أحد يرتديه وقلت له سيكون ثقيل علي كنت وقتها صاعد ولا أريد أحد يقارنني به ورفضت”.

وأوضح: “كان لي الشرف أن ألعب مع محمد أبو تريكة في 17 سنة، كان جيل جبار ومع نجوم كبار وكان لي الشرف أن حصلت على 9 بطولات مع النادي الأهلي منهم 4 مع أبو تريكة”.

وبسؤاله من تختار موسيماني أم كولر؟، أجاب: “لم أتدرب معهم، ولكن ما أسمعه من زملائي أن كولر هو الأفضل”.

وحول الاختيار بين شيكابالا ووليد سليمان؟، أردف: “شيكابالا لاعب ساحر وكنت سعيدا جدًا أنني لعبت معه في منتخب مصر، ولكن سأختار وليد سليمان”.

MatériaMais Notícias

A mudança de ares parece ter feito bem a Marrony. Contratado pelo Atlético Mineiro no meio da temporada, o atacante havia passado em branco nos 13 jogos que disputou pelo Vasco, seu antigo clube, em 2020. Agora, pelo Galo, já são três bolas na rede em apenas sete atuações.

A mudança no desempenho, no entanto, tem uma explicação. Desde que surgiu como profissional, Marrony atuou na maioria das vezes pelos lados do campo, com a responsabilidade maior de criar do que de concluir. Com Jorge Sampaoli, porém, se tornou definitivamente um centroavante, função que exerceu em poucas partidas no Cruz-Maltino.

Centralizado, mais próximo da área de finalização, onde pode explorar sua velocidade em cima da última linha defensiva e também sua altura, no jogo aéreo, Marrony passou a ter mais chances de marcar. Em três jogos nesse Brasileiro, o atacante já concluiu dez vezes em gol, a maior marca da competição até agora. E o jogador nem atuou os 90 minutos em todos os confrontos – foi reserva na estreia, contra o Flamengo.

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A taxa de conversão de Marrony ainda é baixa, apenas 20%. O que mostra que o centroavante ainda precisa evoluir em alguns aspectos, principalmente na conclusão. Ainda assim, se continuar se colocando tantas vezes em condição de marcar, tem tudo para aumentar seus números no decorrer da disputa.

JOGADORES QUE MAIS FINALIZAM NO BRASILEIRÃO 2020
– Dados do Sofascore

1º – Marrony – Atlético-MG – 10 finalizações (2 gols)
2º – Guerrero – Internacional – 9 finalizações (3 gols)
Alisson – Grêmio – 9 finalizações (0 gols)
4º – Marinho – Santos – 7 finalizações (2 gols)
Cléber – Ceará – 7 finalizações (2 gols)
Arrascaeta – Flamengo – 7 finalizações (1 gol)
Matheus Babi – Botafogo – 7 finalizações (1 gol)
Nikão – Athletico-PR – 7 finalizações (0 gols)
Pepê – Grêmio – 7 finalizações (0 gols)
Romarinho – Fortaleza – 7 finalizações (0 gols)
Gabigol – Flamengo – 7 finalizações (0 gols)

Tottenham Hotspur's new signing Manor Solomon had "a purpose to his dribbling" and left journalist Alasdair Gold feeling "really impressed" after his performances on the club's Asia-Pacific tour.

Manor Solomon's Tottenham future

The Spurs signing that has attracted the most attention so far this summer, and understandably so, is the £40m acquisition of James Maddison from Leicester City. The England international is the kind of well-known, exciting and attacking signing bound to stir fans, but people shouldn't forget about fellow new boy Solomon.

The Kfar Saba-born attacker had a brilliant – albeit injury-hit – season with London rivals Fulham last year and joined the Lilywhites on a free in early July.

Whilst the expectation has generally been that he's going to be a practical and helpful squad option for Ange Postecoglou, he has already shown to those who have been watching he has the ability to fight for a starting spot.

Read the latest Tottenham Hotspur transfer news HERE…

He has been making a good case for himself on the club's Asia-Pacific tour already as well, with the Evening Standard's Simon Collings giving him a seven out of ten for his performance against West Ham United in Perth, describing him as 'Tottenham's best player during the first-half''.

However, Collings wasn't the only one impressed by his performances as football.london's Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was also left "really impressed" by the Israeli.

He gave his impression of the player on his podcast Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham, saying:

"I was really impressed with the way he played, and also, my issue with him beforehand and something he needed to improve on was his assists and setting up others.

"With Solomon, it doesn't feel like he's just going to be head down and running into people, it feels like there's a purpose to his dribbling and he'll know the right moment to stop it and pass and to look up or shoot or whatever. So yeah, he looks good."

How good was Manor Solomon last season?

Unfortunately for the £23k-per-week man, an injury at the start of his time in west London stopped him from getting a full season of Premier League football under his belt, but when he could play, he looked quality.

In just the 563 minutes of league football he played for the Cottagers, he provided four assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 140 minutes or one every one-and-a-half games.

He also maintained a passing accuracy of 86.4% – the fourth highest among Fulham players that got at least 500 minutes of game time – and averaged a match rating of 6.52, per WhoScored.

Some of his underlying numbers are also seriously impressive and suggest that if he is able to stay fit next season, he could well make a case for himself to be a starter.

According to FBref, which compares players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the 24-year-old "game changer" sits in the top 1% for non-penalty goals and tackles, the top 4% for pass completion, the top 6% for successful take-ons, and the top 18% for interceptions, all per 90.

Former boss Marco Silva will surely miss him at Craven Cottage as he waxed lyrical over his performances earlier in the season, saying:

"His one-v-one situation is really strong and coming from the left he is important."

He should be just as entertaining to watch this year, and it'll be interesting to see if he can force his way into a starting place as the season plays out.

Liverpool may try and include players in exchange or additional add-ons in their bid to try and sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest transfer news surrounding Romeo Lavia and Liverpool?

According to Sky Sports, Southampton are confident of being able to sell Lavia for the £50 million price tag they are demanding for the Belgium international to leave the South Coast.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have all held conversations with the 19-year-old's entourage over the possibility of signing Lavia; however, his suitors have concerns over the fee quoted for the youngster.

As per The Telegraph, Liverpool may be willing to offload veteran midfielder Thiago Alcantara this window, as he has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia in his services.

In turn, the Reds could turn to Lavia as a potential replacement; nevertheless, his £50 million price is said to be 'too prohibitive' for Jurgen Klopp to consider bidding for the enforcer at present.

Manchester City retain a buyback clause for Lavia that stands at £40 million, which they inserted when he joined Southampton back in 2022; however, it doesn't activate until 2024, enabling rival clubs to steal a march on the Citizens this summer, as per Football Insider.

Of course, the German coach has already made moves in the transfer window to shore up his midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai joining from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig, respectively.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Romano reckons that Liverpool may be cute in negotiations and either include additional add-ons or offer players in exchange to try and seal a deal to sign Lavia.

Romano said: "For Romeo Lavia, the price tag is around £50million.

"But sources believe that maybe, with some add-ons or with a creative formula such as including some players, they can find a way with Southampton to reach an agreement."

Why is Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia so highly regarded?

Shortly after moving to Southampton from Manchester City, Lavia earned high praise from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who was speaking on BT Sport quoted by The Daily Mail before the Red Devils took on Southampton at St Mary's last year, as the pundit stated: "He has got a pass in his locker and he is big and strong and likes to defend. He does not want to get forward too much and sits in front of the back four and sets the play in motion from there."

Scholes' summary of Lavia's attributes is a high testament to the 19-year-old's qualities and potential to develop. Unsurprisingly, several elite sides are keen on offering him a return to the English top flight.

Last term, Lavia made 34 appearances in all competitions for Southampton and registered one goal alongside a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

His capacity to efficiently recycle possession will have attracted interest from top clubs. According to WhoScored, Lavia maintained a pass success rate of 86.4% in the Premier League, showing commendable maturity for his age.

Getting stuck in, Lavia also managed to win 93 tackles and interceptions combined, displaying courage and tenacity in the Saints' engine room, as per FBRef.

Lavia looks set for an intriguing next few weeks, where we will find out more about his potential next destination, as an exit from Southampton looks to be nailed on before the end of the window.

Kevin Pietersen has rejoined Surrey for this year’s NatWest T20 Blast, after withdrawing from the Caribbean Premier League.

George Dobell07-Mar-20171:14

WATCH – Kevin Pietersen in action at the PSL

Kevin Pietersen has rejoined Surrey for this year’s NatWest T20 Blast, after withdrawing from the Caribbean Premier League.Pietersen was expected to appear for St Lucia Stars (formerly Zouks) in this year’s CPL, which runs from August 1 to September 9. But, as revealed by ESPNcricinfo, Pietersen has chosen instead to make a return to English cricket, with this year’s Blast set to be played in a block from July 7, with Finals Day on September 2.Kevin Pietersen’s excitement at returning to Surrey was rather dampened when ESPNcricinfo broke his news before him. Sorry KP!•TwitterWhile Pietersen is not a huge fan of England’s domestic T20 competition – he felt that playing just once a week rendered it difficult to find form or rhythm – the competition’s return to something approaching a window in 2017 may have eased his concerns.Pietersen opted out of any involvement in the 2016 season, following final confirmation that his England ambitions were over, but his relationship with Surrey has remained very good, and the club never made any secret of their desire to re-sign him as and when he became available.”I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining Surrey again. I’ve missed playing here at home and it’s going to be a special feeling walking out at the Kia Oval again,” Pietersen said.”We’ve got some seriously talented guys in our team and I’m very confident we can achieve something really special this season.”I’ve had some great times at this club and ground over the years; it’s a special place with top people, and I’m looking forward to once again being part of it.”Surrey director of cricket, Alec Stewart, said: “Re-signing KP is a massive boost to the club and the NatWest T20 Blast competition.”To have a player of his undoubted calibre available to us will add strength and experience to our squad and I’m sure all our fans will enjoy seeing him back playing in England again.”His work ethic and appetite for success are infectious and our squad have always enjoyed having him around the dressing room and performing out in the middle.”Pietersen appeared in the 2014 and 2015 editions of the CPL but pulled out of last year’s competition in order to take some time off. He has spent recent months playing in South Africa’s T20 Challenge, the BBL in Australia and the Pakistan Super League. The draft for the 2017 CPL is due to take place in Barbados on Friday.