BBC SPORT REVEALS NEW PUNDITRY LINE-UP AHEAD OF NEW SEASON

As the Premier League kicks off this weekend, BBC Sport is bringing fans more this season announcing Steph Houghton, Theo Walcott and Joe Hart will be joining its team of analysts across BBC Sport TV, radio and online.

In her first big move following retiring from professional football at the end of last season, legendary centre-back and Ex-Lionesses Captain Steph Houghton is joining the BBC Sport squad as a pundit starting with Football Focus this weekend. Steph will also bring her knowledge and expert insight to Match of the Day, live football and shows across BBC Radio 5 Live.

Fresh from their roles in BBC Sport’s coverage of UEFA Euro 2024, Ex-England Internationals Joe Hart and Theo Walcott are also joining as pundits offering professional analysis and insight on the Premier League.

Joe Hart, a two-time Premier League winner with Manchester City will make his debut on Match of the Day this weekend with former Arsenal star Theo Walcott taking a seat in the studio on 15th September. Both Joe and Theo will bring their expert analysis, knowledge of the league and its personalities to football shows and content across TV, online and audio.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director BBC Sport, says: “I’m so excited to be adding such talented, knowledgeable, brilliant people to our line-up. As much as anything, as a football fan, I can’t wait to hear their analysis.”

Steph Houghton says: “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”.

Joe Hart says: “I’m very excited, very proud, and looking forward to growing into an incredible role on something that I grew up watching. I want to try and give back as much as I can from the career I’ve had and keep learning.

“I’m thrilled to be in an around an incredible set up, learning first and foremost in a new part of my life. But I’m also trying to transition over and give my opinion from football through my eyes, still being in a position where I see and feel things, trying to get the understanding of what it takes to be at a level and why things happen”.

Theo Walcott says: “I grew up watching BBC Sport so I’m over the moon to be joining the lineup as a pundit, it’s a dream come true for me and I’m excited to get going.

“Life after retiring from football was always going to be scary but exciting. There’s plenty for me to learn but I can draw on the career I’ve had to offer up different views and opinions. It will be a fantastic challenge for me.”

The BBC Sport has free to air coverage of the Premier League highlights across TV and online and unrivalled coverage across BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds with more live commentaries than any other UK radio station. In addition, BBC Sport will increase its digital offering to deliver more content to fans that tells the story of top tier men’s domestic football across all BBC Sport platforms throughout the whole week.