Digest

Soccer

Toffees splash cash in double swoop

Everton splashed almost $70 million on Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Ajax captain Davy Klaassen on Thursday as the Toffees step up their bid to narrow the gap to the Premier League's "big six".

Pickford, 23, joins for a club-record fee that could rise to $38.3 million, making him third most expensive keeper of all time, while Everton's Dutch coach Ronald Koeman has brought in 24-year-old Netherlands midfielder Klaassen for $31 million.

Both players have signed five-year deals.

Basketball

Clippers keen on stadium switch

The Los Angeles Clippers announced on Thursday they are considering leaving Staples Center arena which they have shared with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings since 1999.

The Clippers reached an agreement with the city of Inglewood, California to look into building a new stadium in the suburbs, about 12 kilometers southwest of downtown Los Angeles.

"I have said from day one that we need to plan for the future. This agreement helps us do that by expanding our options," said Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

Boxing

Wilder charged with drug possession

Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was charged on Wednesday with misdemeanor marijuana possession, but his lawyer said the drug found in his car did not belong to him.

Police in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, said in a statement that they arrested Wilder on Wednesday afternoon after they found marijuana in his Cadillac Escalade. Wilder, 31, was initially stopped for a window-tint violation. Officers searched the car after smelling marijuana and found a small amount in the vehicle's console.

Wilder was charged with second-degree marijuana possession, a misdemeanor, and released on a $1,000 bond.

Rugby Union

Bags to riches for Aussies' ex-porter

Eto Nabuli will complete a fairytale journey on Saturday when he makes his Australia debut against Scotland, five years after being talent-spotted while carrying bags as a hotel porter.

Fiji-born Nabuli is Australia's only change from last week's 37-14 win over Fiji, with the Wallabies expecting a tough afternoon against the Six Nations team in Sydney.

Nabuli is a fascinating rags-to-riches tale after being discovered by Australian rugby league greats Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns as he lugged their suitcases as a porter at a Fijian hotel in 2012.

Marathon

Uphill task for runners in Lichuan

Considered China's mountain marathon-running capital, Lichuan, Hubei province, will kick-start the 2017 China mountain marathon series on June 25.

Organized by the China Mountaineering Association (CMA), Hubei Provincial Sports Bureau and Lichuan Municipal People's Government, the event will feature a regular 42-kilometer marathon and a 6.6 km mass run.

To meet China's ever-growing demand for running, the CMA, which boasts vast experience in organizing outdoor sports competitions, launched the mountain marathon series last year.

A series of local food and other cultural activities will also be held before and during the races.