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BBC confirm new Match of the Day pundit one day before the first show of the season

BBC confirm new Match of the Day pundit one day before the first show of the season

Another new Match of the Day pundit has been confirmed for this season.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

The BBC have confirmed another new addition to Match of the Day on the eve of the first show of the Premier League season.

Earlier this week, the broadcaster announced that former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott and ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart would be joining the rostrum for the 2024/25 campaign.

Their arrivals come after the departure of Ian Wright, who left the show after 25 years at the end of last season.

Hart will be in the Match of the Day studio for the first time on Saturday alongside Alan Shearer and host Gary Lineker, while Walcott will make his debut next month.

On Friday, the broadcaster has confirmed that a third new face will join the team.

Former Manchester City and England captain Steph Houghton will become a pundit for the show after she announced her retirement from professional football at the end of last season.

The 36-year-old won three Women's Super League titles across spells with Arsenal and Manchester City, and represented the Lionesses at three World Cups.

Houghton didn't play again for England after suffering an Achilles tendon injury in September 2021 - shortly after Sarina Wiegman's appointment as manager - but continued to play for City until her retirement.

She told BBC Sport: "I am excited to be part of BBC Sport's football coverage for the upcoming Premier League and WSL 2024/25 seasons.

"I am looking forward to being able to share my experiences and provide insights into the game that I love."

Steph Houghton in action for Man City -
Getty

Houghton, Hart and Walcott will join a punditry line-up that already features Micah Richards, Jermaine Jenas, Danny Murphy, Shay Given and Fara Williams.

Richards told Lineker and Shearer on The Rest Is Football that he was originally available to sit on the sofa for Match of the Day on Saturday - but had to pull out after being booked for Sky Sports' Super Sunday the day after: "I got the dates, and it's a clash of dates."

He then joked: "I can't work Saturday and Sunday - I'll be knackered!"

Featured Image Credit: BBC Sport

Topics: Match Of The Day, Gary Lineker, Football, Premier League

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.