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S. Korea captain Ki Sung-yueng joins Newcastle United
London, June 30 (IANS) South Korea football team captain Ki Sung-yueng has signed with Newcastle United in the English Premier League, ending a six-year stint with Swansea City.
Newcastle announced a two-year deal with the 29-year-old midfielder on Friday, making him the club’s second signing of the summer. It said Ki will join the club on Sunday once his contract with Swansea City expires, subject to Ki’s receiving an appropriate visa, reports Yonhap news agency.
“I’m so pleased I can join the club. I was always pleasantly surprised when I came to St. James’ Park to play against Newcastle — there is a great atmosphere and the passion from the fans is a great support to the players,” Ki told the club’s website.
“Everyone knows how big this club is so I’m really looking forward to playing with my teammates and for the fans.”
Swansea City were relegated to the second-tier following their 18th-place finish in the English Premier League (EPL) last season. Newcastle finished in 10th place with 44 points.
Ki began his professional career with FC Seoul in the K League and moved to Celtic in the Scottish Premier League during the winter of the 2009-2010 season. He spent two and a half seasons there and signed with Swansea City in August 2012.
Ki also spent one season with Sunderland on loan, helping them avoid relegation in the 2013-2014 season, before returning to Swansea City.
A long-time captain for South Korea, Ki has won 104 caps for the country — the 10th most of any South Korean player — and has competed at three FIFA World Cups.
In Russia, Ki missed the team’s 2-0 upset victory over Germany in the final group match with a leg injury.
The South Korean team returned home Friday, though Ki travelled to England for what the national team officials said were “personal reasons,” fueling speculation that a deal with a new club was imminent.
Newcastle head coach Rafa Benitez told the team’s website that it was “an easy decision” to bring Kim on board.
“He is a player with lots of Premier League and international experience and it was an easy decision to bring him here,” he said.
“He is the captain of his country, a good character and he will be a good addition to the squad.”
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.