BREAKING: Hull City Confirms Sorba Thomas Unharmed After Road Accident

Hull City confirmed Sorba Thomas was unharmed after his car overturned near the club’s Cottingham training ground.

Hull City winger Sorba Thomas has escaped injury after his car overturned in a road traffic accident near the club’s training ground in Cottingham, England.

The incident occurred on Friday morning on Millhouse Wood Lane, a residential road close to Hull City’s training facilities.

Images circulating on social media showed Thomas’s Land Rover Defender overturned and resting on its roof, prompting concern among supporters after the pictures spread online.

Hull City subsequently confirmed that the Wales international was unharmed in the accident.

“We are relieved to confirm that Sorba Thomas is unharmed following a road traffic accident near to the club’s Cottingham training ground,” the club said in a statement.

The club added that Thomas had emerged from the vehicle completely unscathed and had sustained no injuries.

Humberside Police were reportedly at the scene following the accident, while the circumstances that led to the vehicle overturning had not been publicly established at the time of reporting.

Thomas, 27, joined Hull City from Stoke City during the final stages of the summer transfer window. He made his Premier League debut for the club as a substitute in Hull’s goalless draw against Aston Villa on September 5.

He also featured for the club in their EFL Cup fixture against Sunderland on Tuesday before Friday’s accident.

The accident comes a day before Hull City are scheduled to face Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.

The club has not indicated whether Thomas’s involvement in the match will be affected by the incident.

 

Chelsea Confirm £7.5m Signing of Emiliano Martínez From Aston Villa

Chelsea have completed the signing of Argentina international goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa, bringing the experienced World Cup winner to Stamford Bridge in a move reported to be worth £7.5 million.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has signed a three-year contract with Chelsea after ending his six-year spell at Aston Villa. The transfer was officially confirmed by Chelsea on Sunday.

Martínez arrives with an impressive record at both club and international level. He was a key member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team and has also won two Copa América titles with the national side. His performances have earned him the Yashin Trophy twice, in 2023 and 2024, as well as FIFA’s The Best goalkeeper award on two occasions.

His move to Chelsea follows a major change in the goalkeeping situation at Aston Villa. Villa recently signed Japan international Zion Suzuki, leaving Martínez facing increased competition for the No. 1 position and eventually opening the door for his departure.

Martínez joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2020 and went on to make 256 appearances for the club. He became one of the most important players in Villa’s recent rise, helping the club secure Champions League qualification and playing a major role in their Europa League triumph last season.

Chelsea moved quickly for the Argentine after concerns over their goalkeeping department, particularly following criticism of Robert Sánchez’s performances at the beginning of the new campaign. Manager Xabi Alonso identified the position as an area requiring greater experience and competition.

Speaking after completing the move, Martínez said joining Chelsea was an easy decision for him and his family, while making it clear that he wants to compete for trophies with the London club.

“I’m delighted to be at this football club,” Martínez said. “I really want to be successful here. I’m someone who wants to win at everything I do and I want to bring that here to this football club.”

His arrival gives Chelsea an experienced goalkeeper with proven success at the highest level and adds another strong option between the posts as Alonso continues to reshape the squad.

For Martínez, the move represents the next chapter of a career that has taken him from being a largely understudied goalkeeper at Arsenal to becoming a World Cup winner and one of the most recognisable goalkeepers in world football.

Shakhtar Donetsk to Play Champions League Home Games at Stamford Bridge

Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk will play their home matches in this season’s UEFA Champions League at Stamford Bridge, the home ground of Chelsea.

The arrangement comes after Chelsea failed to qualify for European competition following a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, leaving Stamford Bridge available for Shakhtar’s Champions League home fixtures.

Chelsea confirmed the agreement, saying the club was pleased to provide Shakhtar with the opportunity to host their European matches in London.

“Given Chelsea FC’s disappointing 2025/26 season and failure to qualify for European football, the club is pleased to provide FC Shakhtar with the opportunity to play in London,” Chelsea said.

The Premier League club added that Shakhtar had previously played their home matches in different countries across Europe and said it looked forward to welcoming the Ukrainian side to London for their Champions League campaign.

Chelsea also said it would work closely with Shakhtar in the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays are conducted safely and smoothly for both the Ukrainian club and its supporters.

Shakhtar welcomed the agreement, describing the opportunity to play their Champions League home fixtures at Stamford Bridge as a special one.

“Playing our Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge is a special opportunity for Shakhtar. We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue,” the Ukrainian club said.

Shakhtar added that Stamford Bridge’s history and atmosphere would provide a memorable experience for both Ukrainian and English supporters.

“Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. We are convinced that Shakhtar’s matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans,” the club said.

The decision continues Shakhtar’s long-running search for suitable venues outside Ukraine amid the ongoing war, which has prevented the club from regularly hosting European fixtures at its traditional home.

Stamford Bridge will therefore provide the Ukrainian champions with a high-profile London base as they begin their latest Champions League campaign.