England forward Gordon impresses with his Spanish in 'dream' move to Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — England forward Anthony Gordon joined Barcelona on a five-year contact on Friday as the Spanish champion quickly moved to retool its attack less than a week since the season finished.

The announcement did not include any financial details. But, despite its financial troubles, Barcelona reportedly paid Newcastle some 70 million euros ($81 million) to acquire the 25-year-old winger.

Gordon said it was his dream since he was little and growing up in Liverpool to one day play for Barcelona. In fact, he said, that was why he could speak fluent Spanish — a skill rarely shown by English players in Spain — at his presentation to the local media.

“As soon as I knew that Barca was interested, there was never any question. This is the stuff I dreamed of as a child,” Gordon said. “I wanted to speak Spanish because when I was kid I believed I would play for Barca, believe it or not.”

Gordon arrived in Spain on Thursday and underwent a medical exam. His presentation originally scheduled for midday Friday at an auditorium outside Camp Nou stadium was delayed for about nine hours due to what he called “small details” that needed to be hammered out in the transfer paperwork. Gordon said he was calm throughout the delay as he waited with his family and agents at a hotel.

Gordon arrives as a relatively unknown player for many Barcelona fans, and he acknowledged his price for a club that has fought for years with heavy debt will saddle him with high expectations.

“I am ready for the responsibility,” he said.

He scored 17 goals for Newcastle this season, including 10 in the Champions League. One of those goals came in a loss to Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16, when he apparently made an impression on his then rival.

Gordon, a left winger, will join a club that has won La Liga for two years in a row but is revamping its attack after the exit of Robert Lewandowski. Gordon will likely have to compete with Raphinha for playing time at his position, opposite teen star Lamine Yamal.

When asked if his skills resembled more those of Yamal or Raphinha, Gordon chose the Brazilian.

“I would say Raphinha in terms of my intensity, work rate, and speed” and ability to score goals, he said.

Gordon is in England’s squad for the World Cup. England’s first game is against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on June 17.

Barcelona sports director Deco is reportedly looking for a striker as well in the summer market. Spanish media reports that Barcelona is interested in pulling Argentina striker Julián Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.

England forward Marcus Rashford played at Barcelona on loan from Manchester United last season. Barcelona is considering whether to pay 30 million euros ($35 million) to make Rashford’s stay permanent.

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Barcelona new signing soccer player Anthony Gordon addresses the media during his official presentation in Barcelona, Spain, on Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)

Barcelona new signing soccer player Anthony Gordon poses with his jersey during his official presentation in Barcelona, Spain, on Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)

Barcelona new signing soccer player Anthony Gordon addresses the media during his official presentation in Barcelona, Spain, on Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)

Barcelona new signing soccer player Anthony Gordon gestures during his official presentation in Barcelona, Spain, on Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)

Barcelona new signing soccer player Anthony Gordon poses with his jersey during his official presentation in Barcelona, Spain, on Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)

FILE - Newcastle's Anthony Gordon arrives for the fifth round FA Cup soccer match between Newcastle and Manchester City in Newcastle, England, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson, file)

TORONTO (AP) — A Canadian man accused of selling lethal substances online to people who took them to end their own lives is expected to plead guilty Friday to 14 counts of counseling or aiding suicide, his lawyer said.

Kenneth Law is scheduled to appear in a Newmarket, Ontario, court to enter the plea and sentencing is expected to take place later. Canadian prosecutors will withdraw 14 murder charges in exchange for Law's plea, his lawyer Matthew Gourlay said.

Police in Canada and around the world have been investigating more than 100 suicides linked to Law. All charges against him in Canadian court are related to 14 people across Ontario who were between the ages of 16 and 36.

Canadian police said Law, from the Toronto area, used a series of websites to market and sell sodium nitrite, a substance commonly used to cure meats that can be deadly if ingested.

Law is suspected of sending at least 1,200 packages to more than 40 countries with about 160 of those allegedly sent to addresses in Canada, police said. He has been in custody since his arrest at his Mississauga, Ontario, home in May 2023.

Authorities in the United States, Britain, Italy, Australia and New Zealand also have conducted investigations. British police in 2023 were investigating the deaths of 88 people who bought products from Canada-based websites allegedly offering lethal substances to people at risk of self-harm.

Those found guilty of aiding suicide in Canada can face up to 14 years in prison, while first-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

A New Zealand coroner found that four people who died by suicide there had ordered items online from a business associated with Law, but noted that Law’s activities are outside the jurisdiction of New Zealand courts.

It is against Canadian law to recommend suicide, although assisted suicide has been legal since 2016 for people 18 and older. Any adult with a serious illness, disease or disability may seek help in dying, but they must ask for assistance from a physician.

Kim Prosser speask to the media outside the Ontario Court of Justice, Friday, May 29, 2026, in Newmarket, Ontario, after Kenneth Law pleaded guilty to 14 counts of counseling or aiding suicide, including the death of Prosser's son Ashtyn. (Christopher Drost/The Canadian Press via AP)

Leonardo Bedoya shows footage of his daughter Jeshennia, at right, on his cellphone outside the Ontario Court of Justice, Friday, May 29, 2026, in Newmarket, Ontario, after Kenneth Law pleaded guilty to 14 counts of counseling or aiding suicide, including the death of Bedoya's daughter. (Christopher Drost/The Canadian Press via AP)

Leonardo Bedoya embraces his wife Maria Lopez outside the Ontario Court of Justice, Friday, May 29, 2026, in Newmarket, Ontario, after Kenneth Law pleaded guilty to 14 counts of counseling or aiding suicide, including the death of Bedoya's 18-year-old daughter, Jeshennia. (Christopher Drost/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kim Prosser holds a photo of her son Ashtyn outside the Ontario Court of Justice, Friday, May 29, 2026, in Newmarket, Ontario, after Kenneth Law pleaded guilty to 14 counts of counseling or aiding suicide, including the death of Prosser's son. (Christopher Drost/The Canadian Press via AP)

FILE - York Regional Police Inspector Simon James speaks during a news conference in Mississauga, Ont., Aug. 29, 2023, with the image of Kenneth Law, a Canadian man accused of selling lethal substances on the internet to people at risk of self harm, displayed on screen. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP, File)