Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has joined Roma on loan.

The Serie A side will pay €3m (£2.7m) to keep the player for a year.

Smalling has spent nine seasons at Old Trafford, winning the league title twice, but had fallen out of favour under boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“This is the perfect opportunity for me. The chance to experience a new league, with a big team that has got big aspirations is exactly what I needed,” Smalling said.

“We are pleased to bring a player like Chris, who has so much experience, to Roma,” said Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi.

Smalling, 29, joined United from Fulham in 2010 and extended his contract at Old Trafford to 2022 in December.

“This opportunity for Chris has come up in the last couple of days,” said Solskjaer on Friday.

“We’ve got six fit centre-backs. I couldn’t promise him regular football.”

“It’s a big club, a good league. There’s not many English players who have had the chance to play in Italy and I’m sure he’ll come back stronger and better for it.”

Roma sold Greece centre-back Konstantinos Manolas to Napoli for £32m this summer.

Smalling made 34 appearances last season but was on the fringes of the squad, with fellow England defender Harry Maguire – an £80m summer signing – and Sweden international Victor Lindelof established as the first-choice centre-back partnership.

However Solskjaer said Marcos Rojo, who has been linked with AC Milan, Marseille and Monaco, is “staying definitely”, along with fellow centre-backs Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe.

“We’ve got a squad now that’s less in numbers but still big enough and strong enough to have coverage in all positions,” added Solskjaer, who also confirmed Italian right-back Matteo Darmian is likely to be returning to his homeland.

Smalling is the fifth high-profile departure from United this summer, with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez going to Inter Milan, and Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera leaving after their contracts expired.

‘He needed to go’

Chile forward Sanchez arrived from Arsenal in a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January 2018, but the 30-year-old has managed five goals in 45 games during a miserable spell.

United are believed to be subsidising his near £400,000-a-week wages during his season-long loan deal, after Inter spent £74m on Lukaku.

“Alexis needed to go,” said Solskjaer. “He has been here for 18 months and it’s not really worked out for him.

“For him as well, to restart and get himself playing regularly, getting himself scoring goals, that loan will only benefit everyone in the end.

“We’re going to watch every weekend now to see Romelu and Alexis playing together. We had a decision to make and I’m trusting Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood to be our centre-forwards.”

After making his first start in the last Premier League game of last season, 17-year-old Greenwood has come off the bench in all three of United’s league games this term.

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Chadreek Renews Recording Contract with UK-Based Label SauceBoi Music

Published

21 hours ago

27th September 2026

Usman Oladuntoye

Nigerian Afrobeats artist Chadreek (born Salau Qudus Emiola) has officially renewed his recording contract with SauceBoi Music, the UK-based label that has played a pivotal role in his career development.

The renewed agreement reinforces the longstanding partnership between the artist and the label. It positions Chadreek for the next phase of his career with enhanced support across music production, distribution, marketing, and international expansion.

Known for his smooth vocal delivery and consistent output, Chadreek has steadily cultivated a dedicated following through standout records including Ori Mi (featuring Seyi Vibez), Better Dayz, Awure, and his earlier project No Bad Vibe. The renewed deal is expected to accelerate his momentum as he prepares new music and broadens his presence across Africa and global markets.

A source close to the camp confirmed that both parties are fully aligned on a clear vision for the artist’s next chapter, with a strong emphasis on high-quality releases and strategic growth.

This renewal marks another significant milestone in Chadreek’s journey as he continues to establish his place within the Afrobeats landscape.

About Chadreek
Chadreek is a Nigerian singer and songwriter signed to SauceBoi Music. He is recognised for his distinctive voice and a growing catalogue of Afrobeats records that blend melody, emotion, and street energy.

About SauceBoi Music
SauceBoi Music is a UK-based record label committed to developing and promoting talent across the Afrobeats and broader African music scenes.

Audio

YTJ Announces New Single “JO,”

Published

2 weeks ago

12th September 2026

Usman Oladuntoye

Rising Afro-fusion artist builds on the momentum of “Closer” with an energetic new release made for dance floors worldwide

Recoup Records announces the forthcoming release of “JO,” the new single from rising Afro-fusion artist YTJ, arriving on all major digital streaming platforms September 10, 2026.

The release follows the growing international success of YTJ’s previous single, “Closer,” which has generated more than 4 million combined YouTube views and surpassed 3 million audio streams within two months of release. The record has also received airplay across more than 70 radio stations and 30 television channels worldwide, while reaching No. 63 on YouTube Music in Nairobi, Kenya.

With “JO,” YTJ enters the next phase of his sound and creative direction.

Driven by infectious rhythm, vibrant production and an unmistakable celebratory energy, “JO” is an Afro-fusion record built for movement. The single pairs YTJ’s melodic approach with a polished, high-energy production designed to connect across clubs, parties, festivals and playlists globally.

The visual world surrounding the release reflects that same energy. Built around a striking red-lit aesthetic, the “JO” campaign presents a confident and elevated side of YTJ as he continues to expand his presence beyond his home market and reach new audiences internationally.

“My intention with ‘Closer’ was simply to make something that would connect with people, and the response went beyond what I imagined,” says YTJ. “With ‘JO,’ I wanted to take that energy somewhere new. This record is a celebration — and we’re just getting started.”»

“JO” arrives at a pivotal moment for YTJ. Following the momentum established by “Closer,” the new single signals an artist increasingly focused on creating music that bridges cultures while remaining rooted in the rhythm, melody and energy of contemporary African music.

For Recoup Records, the release represents another step in the label’s commitment to developing YTJ’s international profile and introducing his music to a broader global audience.

“JO” by YTJ is available across all major digital streaming platforms HERE

ABOUT YTJ

YTJ is an emerging Afro-fusion artist whose music blends contemporary African rhythms, melody and global influences. With a growing international audience and millions of streams and views across digital platforms, YTJ is building a sound and identity designed to travel beyond borders.

Following the international response to “Closer,” YTJ continues his next chapter with “JO,” expanding his creative vision while establishing himself as an emerging voice in the new generation of African music.

ABOUT RECOUP RECORDS

Recoup Records is an independent music company focused on artist development, music distribution and building globally competitive African talent. Through strategic releases, media partnerships and international promotion, the label works to connect its artists and music with audiences around the world.

Entertainment Gists

Josh2Funny’s Album Has Fans Talking — But Should He Stick To Music Or Skits?

Published

3 weeks ago

10th September 2026

manlikeakoh

Josh2Funny’s Album Has Fans Talking — But Should He Stick To Music Or Skits? 😂🎶

Nigerian comedian and content creator Josh2Funny has taken his comedy game into music, and Nigerians are definitely having something to say about it.

The comedian released his 15-track album, “On Behalf of Josh,” on July 10, 2026, but instead of fading away after release, the project has continued to generate conversations on X.

And the big question now is:

Should Josh2Funny continue with music or go back to skits? 😂

Fans have been divided. While some listeners openly criticized the album and told him to return to comedy, others found songs they genuinely enjoyed.

One X user joked:

“Josh2Funny stopped doing skits and started music, Everybody wan chop this music money 😂”

Another simply said:

“This Josh2Funny Album no enter make he just go back skit abeg 😂”

But then came “Lembe.” 🔥

The track caught fire on X and eventually became a trending topic in Nigeria. The #LembeChallenge also gained momentum as creators began jumping on the song.

Josh2Funny later announced ₦1 million for winners of the challenge, giving the song another major push.

And it didn’t stop there.

‘INTERNATIONAL’ FT. ICE PRINCE ALSO TRENDED

On another day, “International” featuring Ice Prince generated its own buzz on X.

One fan even called it their favourite song from the album, while praising the collaboration. The post itself pulled thousands of views, showing that people weren’t only talking about Lembe.

From album criticism to trending songs and challenges, “On Behalf of Josh” has kept Josh2Funny’s name in the conversation.

Whether you love the album or think he should return to skits, one thing is clear:

Josh2Funny has succeeded in getting Nigerians talking. 😂🔥