Coventry City

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Danish journalist Nicklas Degn, who hosts the Mediano podcast, says Caleb Yirenkyi is an "extremely exciting player" that is "touted as the next big thing".

The 20-year-old midfielder has agreed a deal to sign for Coventry from Danish Superliga side Nordsjaellland for a fee worth 27m euros (£23.1m), plus 3m euros (£2.5m) in add-ons.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Nicklas said: "He's been one of the best players in the Danish Superliga in the past season and he's extremely highly regarded.

"Everyone knew it would just be a matter of time before he went to a bigger league, especially after his World Cup.

"There's always a big focus on the young talents of FC Nordsjaelland. They are a club that has an academy with a talent development that has an extremely high reputation internationally.

"And Yirenkyi has for quite some time been touted as the next big thing.

"He's a very versatile player. A complete number eight, but his versatility is underscored by the fact that he's been playing in defence for much of the spring at both Nordsjaelland and the Ghana national team.

"Coventry will be getting their hands on a extremely exciting player who plays with a maturity well above his age group."

Caleb Yirenkyi says he has liked what he heard from Coventry manager Frank Lampard after signing for the Sky Blues on a long-term contract.

The Ghana international, 20, joins from Danish Superliga side Nordsjaellland for a fee worth 27m euros (£23.1m) plus 3m euros (£2.5m) in add-ons.

He can operate in several positions - notably central midfield and right-back - and scored for Ghana at the 2026 World Cup in their win over Panama, catching the eye with some of his displays.

"I'm excited to be at this club," said Yirenkyi, last season's Danish Superliga Young Player of the Year.

"I've heard so much about it and I really feel positive about being here.

"When I spoke to the Head Coach about the plans and the style, it's something I really like, and I look forward to learning from him.

"I want to give my best to the team each and every day. I'm still young so I want to learn from the Head Coach, the other players and work really hard for the team.

"I've also heard a lot about the fans, they're incredible and I can't wait to play in front of them."

Earlier on Friday Coventry's links with former player Gus Hamer were strengthened when his Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder confirmed one of the attacker's previous clubs had bid for him.

Read more on the Hamer situation below

Is there such a thing as the ultimate football love story?

Well, Coventry City fan Chloe has a tale to rival other football fans - and she has been telling BBC Radio CWR's Lorna Bailey all about how she met her fiance Reece.

"I was very single, I was consumed by living on my own, I had no real cares in the world and I was just excited to watch the football over the season," she said.

"Then on 26 August 2025, when Coventry played Millwall away in the Carabao Cup, I sat next to a man named Reece.

"A few days later, we were on our first date. By May, we were engaged. I literally got a fiance from going to Millwall away.

"I had gone on my own as well, which is the reason I met Reece. Him and his dad took me under their wing and said I could stand with them.

"The rest is history, as they say!"

Listen to the full love story by pressing play above or on on BBC Sounds here

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has confirmed a formal bid has been submitted for Gustavo Hamer by one of his former clubs.

The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Coventry City, who he made 132 appearances for before leaving for the Blades in 2023.

Hamer is in the last year of his current contract with Wilder confirming no new negotiations have taken place.

"I'm transparent," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield. "There has been a bid in for Gus and that is being discussed by the owners.

"Our policy as a football club is that we don't like players leaving on a free transfer, especially when we have paid a decent fee. I know his was a decent fee when we were in the Premier League.

"They are our thoughts as a club, and then there's Gus' point of view. It's about getting the right fee that is relevant to what we feel he is worth.

"Are we going to get back the money we paid for him? No because he's in the last year of his deal. But we're not going to get rolled over.

"The decision will have an input from me, but it's a decision for the board whether to accept the offer or not.

"Gus is ambitious and there's been a bid made by one of his former clubs where the owner really likes him, the manager speaking to him this week really likes him, and the supporters really like him.

"He has the opportunity to have a big increase on his salary, length on the contract, and going to a club where he's really highly thought of.

"If he wanted to stay here then we would have engaged in contract negotiations, but that hasn't been the case."

William Oelrich
BBC CWR reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City have agreed a deal to sign Caleb Yirenkyi from Danish Superliga side Nordsjaellland.

But who is he?

Yirenkyi - who is 20 - came through the Right To Dream Academy, who are known for their ability to produce African talent that go on to have successful careers at the highest level.

He was picked up by Nordsjaellland - an affiliate of the academy - in 2024.

The start of his career in Denmark was quiet. He played for the under-21s a lot, but made his breakthrough in the 2025-26 season.

He has since made 49 appearances, scoring four goals, and collected two Danish Superliga Player of the Month awards. He also won the Young Player of the Year award.

His first international call-up for Ghana was in 2025 and since then he's played 15 times and scored two goals against Wales and - at the World Cup - against Panama.

He operates as a defensive midfielder but can also play right-back.

Katharine Sharpe and Simon Casson
BBC Sport senior journalists

The 2025-26 Premier League and Championship seasons included the introduction of squad-cost ratio rules on a shadow basis, testing to see how a spending cap for squad costs set at a percentage of a club's total revenues might work.

These SCR regulations have now been permanently implemented for the 2026-27 season, replacing previous profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Uefa has a 70% SCR cap for European competitions, so Premier League clubs who qualified for Europe fall in line with this limit.

Clubs who did not qualify for Europe, and so are only taking part in domestic competitions, are capped at 85% of their total revenue.

However, clubs can spend above the 85% limit by using a multi-year rolling allowance of 30%. This allows them to invest ahead of revenue and variance or sporting underperformance.

Every club will start this coming season on 85% + 30% allowance, so effectively 115%.

If a club spends 105% on their squad in 2026-27, it means they have used 20% of their allowance, and for 2027-28 their maximum spend before potential sporting sanction is 95%.

If a club spend less than 85%, they can increase the allowance again to the maximum of 30%.

Spending above 85% but under the allowance results in a financial penalty, whereas going over both the 85% and the allowance will land the club a fixed six-point deduction which increases by one point for every £6.5m spent over the 115%.

'Anchoring' was also trialled in 2025-26, which meant any club's spending could not exceed a multiple of income earned by the bottom-placed club - however this was rejected at a vote of Premier League clubs.

SCR was approved by a vote of 14 clubs to six, and was introduced alongside sustainability and systemic resilience (SSR) regulations.

SSR involves three tests that are applied throughout the season:

Working capital test - assesses short-term cash resources

Liquidity test - assesses medium-term liquidity and resilience

Positive equity test -assesses long-term financial health

The aim of the SCR and SSR regulations is to stop the richest owners providing endless funds to their clubs to sign new players, as any money injected this way does not count as seasonal revenue.

They will also aim to prevent clubs from overspending and accruing unmanageable losses.

Read more about the rules here

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Coventry City have agreed a deal to sign Caleb Yirenkyi from Danish Superliga side Nordsjaellland for a fee worth 27m euros (£23.1m) plus 3m euros (£2.5m) in add-ons.

The 20-year-old midfielder featured for Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, and has played for the Danish side since 2024.

Although Yirenkyi is primarily a midfielder, he is known for his versatility, having played at right-back for his national team.

Last season, Yirenkyi played 43 games for club and country and scored four goals throughout the 2025-26 campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

The opening day of the season is a day which is hotly anticipated across the globe as Premier League stars return to the pitches and screens.

In August 1993 - the late Freddie Mercury was at the top of the UK charts, John Major was the Prime Minister, and Micky Quinn was Coventry's hat-trick hero at Highbury.

Former Arsenal striker Bobby Gould was in the dugout for the Sky Blues as they visited Highbury for their opening game of the 1993-94 season.

It proved to be a game many Coventry fans will always remember and one Arsenal fans will want to forget.

Liverpool-born, Quinn scored all three goals in the 3-0 victory.

Speaking to The Set Pieces, external, Quinn recalled that hat-trick: "I got a call to say that no opposition player had scored a league hat-trick at Highbury for 75 years.

"The amazing thing is nobody did it after that either and I think I must have been one of the only people that was happy when Highbury was taken down."

Coventry would go on to remain unbeaten in their first eight league games of the season and finish in 14th position at the end of the 1993-94 campaign.

With 16 days to go until the West Midlands club take on Arsenal - the memories of Quinn will ring through the fanbase, but can a new hat-trick hero for Coventry be born on the opening day of the 2026-27 season?

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on what one bit of business you want Coventry to complete next after completing the signing of goalkeeper Carl Rushworth?

Here are some of your comments:

GT: We are desperate for a high quality left-back. The three we currently have at the club are not of Premier League quality, so it is important to bring in a player with proven ability, so strengthen in this position.

Ian: Get Gustavo Hamer's deal done. It will be a good squad player, and then we need a left-back and a centre-forward will be essential. Maybe another winger with Mykhailo Mudryk being an option.

Sitton: We would love the Gustavo Hamer rumours to be true. If we can get him back, that would be awesome! Gus is a player who creates chances, works his socks off, and is versatile, so he can fulfil various roles. He could replace any of our other midfielders! And he has proven he is Premier League worthy.

Warren: Now we have Carl Rushworth let's build a rock-solid defence. Wouldn't it be great if Rushworth never had to save a single shot because the defence was so good! I'd be looking for a rock-solid central defender with Premier League experience. Then, look at left and right-backs so they don't allow any crosses to come in.

Isaac: I'm just really happy we got Carl Rushworth's transfer over the line. He was a crucial part of our title-winning season and I don't believe that we would have had much of a chance in the Premier League without him.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Central midfielder Kai Andrews made his Coventry City debut aged 17 at the start of the 2023 season.

Andrews, now 19, can also play on the left and featured 10 times for the Sky Blues last season before spending the second half of 2025-26 on loan at Hibernian.

That was his second spell in the Scottish Premiership after a loan spell at Motherwell the campaign before. He scored his first senior goal in Hibernian's 2-1 league victory at Celtic in February, and he has already been capped three times by Wales.

Andrews has been back in Coventry colours in pre-season and will be hoping to force his way into Frank Lampard's Premier League line-ups.

Read more on youngsters to watch at each Premier League club this season

Image source, Getty Images

The worst kept secret in Coventry is finally out and it's a huge one. Carl Rushworth is back in Sky Blue for the foreseeable, and there's a real sense of relief around the club. His performances in the Championship last season weren't just impressive; they were a level above almost every other goalkeeper in the division. As Coventry step into the Premier League, his presence becomes even more essential. He will be called upon often, and he has already shown he can handle that responsibility.

There was a moment earlier in the summer when it felt like Coventry might pivot to a cheaper alternative. Had they done so, it would have sparked a year of regret and a fanbase full of what‑ifs. Instead, they've backed the goalkeeper they trust and the one supporters already adore.

The reported £22m fee, a club‑record outlay, is undeniably steep. But that's the English market, inflated further by big‑money moves like Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers earlier in the window. What Coventry have secured is a goalkeeper with huge potential, genuine resale value, and a connection with supporters that can't be manufactured. You can be sure chairman Doug King factored all of that into the decision.

Attention now turns to the rest of the squad. More additions feel likely before the window shuts, and as the EFL season kicks into gear, further departures seem inevitable too.

Listen to Sky Blues Fancast Live every Monday and Friday at 18:00 and subscribe to the Coventry City page on BBC Sounds

Now Rushworth has completed his permanent move - What is the one bit of business you want Coventry to complete next?

Get in touch with your views here

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist on BBC Radio CWR

Image source, Getty Images

A lot of clubs have been after a keeper; Leeds, Newcastle and Coventry City.

It is a bit like dominoes. Once one has gone, that sends speculation to another.

It feels like it has been going on for so long because Rushworth obviously teased the fanbase that he was going to sign the contract on top of the bus [during the Sky Blues' Championship trophy parade].

Maybe people thought it would get done a lot quicker. I don't think personal terms were ever going to be an issue. He fell in love with the club last season, but it's all the bits behind the scenes which we don't get to see.

It is an undisclosed fee, but from what we are hearing it is around £22.5m, which means Coventry City have broken their club transfer record fee three times now in this window alone.

You would probably expected that with them getting promoted. It is a big chunk of money, but he is a very promising English keeper, and you do have the English tax.

He comes from Brighton, who have produced a lot of brilliant keepers over the years. Now he has got to make the step-up to the Premier League himself.

It is invaluable the fact that he gets on so well with Frank Lampard and the other coaches and his team-mates. You cannot put a price on that.

He loves the fans – every time he puts the Coventry shirt on – you can see he is proud to wear it.

Image source, Coventry City FC

Coventry City's new signing Carl Rushworth said he "can finally relax" now the Sky Blues have completed the permanent signing of the 25-year-old from Brighton.

"I'm really happy, there's so many emotions that I've got," said Rushworth.

"I can finally relax knowing it's done and that I'm back with the boys and at a club I loved being at."

Rushworth first joined Coventry on loan last season from the Seagulls and featured in every league fixture during their promotion-winning season.

Although Rushworth has been at Brighton since 2019, the young goalkeeper has never featured in any top-flight fixtures, and he experienced loan spells at Worthing, Walsall, Lincoln City, Swansea City and Hull City.

"To see the love from the fans and to know I can now get back to playing in front of them, and to get a few pre-season games in, is really exciting," added Rushworth.

"I can't wait to experience the atmosphere at our first home game after 25 years of waiting to play in the Premier League. It's going to be unbelievable."

Sky Blues boss, Frank Lampard said Rushworth had "a huge impact" last season and that he is a "top professional".

"It's great to have Carl back with us on a permanent basis," said Lampard.

"I'm looking forward to working with him again and welcoming him back into the group."

Now Rushworth has completed his permanent move - What is the one bit of business you want Coventry to complete next?

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

As excitement and trepidation builds across the West Midlands - the fairly unknown territory of the Premier League awaits Frank Lampard's Coventry City.

On the latest Sky Blues Fancast, BBC CWR's Will Oelrich and Sky Blues fans Ben Taylor and Adam Sloman review the upcoming season and the speculation that surrounds links with Sheffield United's Gustavo Hamer.

During the 2025-26 season, momentum was key for Coventry's Championship title charge, and they remained undefeated in their first 12 league games of the season.

Taylor said: "This season is going to be all about momentum, and if we don't get it, it is going to be a long hard season."

So far, Coventry have signed Loum Tchaouna, Aurele Amenda and Frank Onyeka, and they are now heavily tipped to resign 29-year-old Hamer.

Taylor added: "I do think we need another natural number 10. If you get Gus Hamer at a good price, he is a player who can see a pass. Chris Wilder has played him out wide as well, so he can play a number of positions.

"We lack those central midfield players to get you up the pitch. We have got to go into next season the same way as we did last season and that's to attack. Defence isn't our strong point."

BBC CWR's Oelrich reported the Sky Blues have held "positive talks" with Hamer and that talks are still "ongoing".

The former Sky Blues midfielder featured in Wilder's side's pre-season draw against VfL Bochum.

On the speculation, Wilder said: "He's not come to me and said he doesn't want to play. There has been interest, of course. That's out there. But as far as I'm concerned, he's a Sheffield United player."

Before leaving Coventry for Sheffield United in August 2023, the Brazil-born Hamer scored 19 goals in 132 appearances.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to the dedicated Coventry City page to get all Sky Blues audio content.

Newly promoted Coventry City are among three Premier League sides keen to sign Chelsea and Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, 25. (Mail - subscription required), external

Everton's English midfielder Tim Iroegbunam, 23, is interesting Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Should a club build a new stadium or upgrade its current home in a bid to maintain some history? How significant is a new ground in terms of revenue generated? Will it move the needle?

BBC Sport has worked with football finance expert Kieran Maguire to consider the impact a new home has.

Take a look at your club's matchday revenue figures from 2024-25 below and get the full article here.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City stepped up their pre-season preparations with 1-0 win over Leicester City at Seagrave.

Sky Blues defender Joel Latibeaudiere scored the only goal of the game, heading it into the back of the net after Liam Kitching sent Josh Eccles' corner back across goal.

Almost-all of the squad were given minutes in the friendly, with 10 of the starting XI playing 75 minutes before being replaced.

Coventry continue their pre-season campaign on Saturday, 8 August against Spanish side Espanyol.

It will be the first time the Sky Blues have played at the Coventry Building Society Arena since lifting the Championship trophy in May.

Listen to the Sky Blues Fancast on BBC Sounds for all the latest City chat

And hear all about the Coventry photographer who's been snapping Coventry's Josh Eccles