Sporting CP Summer Roundup 2026

18th July

The lionesses were in action today beating SCU Torreense 3-2. Goals from Bravo, Armengol and Dias. 

Starting XI first half 

Julia Woźniak, Ágata Filipa, Georgia Eaton-Collins, Ashley Barron, Emma Ramírez, Andreia Bravo, Joana Martins, Cláudia Neto, Miri O’Donnell, Maísa Correia and Telma Encarnação.

Starting XI second half 

Cassie Coster, Madalena Marau, Mackenzie Cherry, Érica Cancelinha, Tânia Rodrigues, Brenda Pérez, Jeneva Gray, Neuza Besugo, Carla Armengol, Ana Dias and Carolina Santiago. 

Also featured - Carolina Alves and Flor Bonsegundo.

Sporting B drew 1-1 with Farense in a behind closed doors game at São Brás de Alportel in the Algarve. Joseph Nduquidi put the home side 1-0 up. The lions equalised through defender Rayhan Momade. 

Al Ahli have confirmed the signing of Francisco Trincão in a deal worth potentially $50m. $45m guaranteed plus $5m in objectives. He signs a four year deal. 

16th July 

Confirmation that the lions will play two games this forthcoming Monday, against Portimonense in the morning and then against Strasbourg in the evening.

Sporting B played against Casa Pia in a pre-season friendly at Alcochete on July 11th. The geese won 2-1, Miguel Almeida scored the lions only goal. 

On July 14th they hosted League 1 Bromley Town who won promotion last season from the fourth tier of English football. Goals from Mendonça, Pascoal and Bafdili gave the lions a 3-1 win. 

14th July

The lions won their second pre-season game and first in front of fans as they beat Celtic 4-1 in the Algarve. Goals came through Geny, Mangas and a brace from Bragança.

Across the waves ex-lion Pedro Porro scored the second goal in Spain's 2-0 win in the World Cup semi final against France. 

12th July

If Koba Koindredi was hoping to try force his way into the thinking of Rui Borges then his hopes were quickly cut short after being sent out to Sporting B. The midfielder who signed in January of 2024 is one of a few players the lions are hoping to move on permanently whilst the transfer window is open. So far there have been no offers for either him or Kochorashvili.

11th July 

The lions have finally officially confirmed the one season loan of 19 year old Jesse Derry from Chelsea. 

Captain Morten Hjulmands exit from the club to Atlético de Madrid is now confirmed for a fee of €40m plus €5m in objectives. Forget the footballer, as a man he's such a huge credit to the club, to his nation and to his family. The fact he learned Portuguese should not be underestimated. He took Sporting, Lisbon and Portugal to his heart. He's got married and become a father with his time at the club and genuinely grown and settled into becoming one of the most genuine and nice people you could wish to represent the club with the lion on his chest. With the captain's armband you could see what it meant to him. He had to learn to curb his initial anger but boy did he grow into the role just as Sebastián Coates did before. He will be sorely missed and what a difference the exits of him and Gyökeres were. Atlético have brought themselves a true gentleman. I've nothing bad to say about the man. 

10th July

As we await the official announcements pertaining to the signing of Jesse Derry from Chelsea and of captain Morten Hjulmands exit to Atlético de Madrid, we look ahead to tonight at Spain v Belgium to see whether Zeno Debast, the last Sporting CP player remaining at the World Cup will play any part. 

Update - Double dose of heartbreak for Debast. Belgiums medical staff ruled him fit to play. It appears Sporting's medical staff overruled and so no place in the matchday squad and Belgium lost 2-1 to Spain to crash out. Ex lion Pedro Porro played the full 90. If that first detail is true in his shoes I'd be saying fuck Sporting I can't lie. I'd be super pissed.

9th July 

As is traditional in pre-season the lions will play a warm up game behind closed doors at Alcochete. The opponents will be those from their previous game ironically enough - Torreense. Usually not played over 90 minutes we never really get to know many more details over than the length of time played (I'm going to say 80), the scoreline and who scored. I've certainly never seen any highlights released. 

The lions are awaiting the arrival of Jesse Derry from Chelsea to complete his medical ahead of a season long loan. He's the son of footballer Sean Derry who was to be fair a tough tackling, no nonsense midfielder that would put the wind up most opponents. From what I can ascertain the 19 year old who signed a new long-term deal with the Blues earlier this week is a highly rated left winger. Basically nothing like his old man. 

Sporting CP 2 Torreense 0. 

Well as predicted above two halves of 40 minutes. The lions starting XI - Virgínia, Faye, Quaresma, Felicíssimo, Mangas, Altimira, Doumbia, Geny, Pedro Gonçalves, Flávio Gonçalves and Gabriel Substitutes used - Silas, Nel, Bragança, Couto and Guilherme.

Goals - Silas and Bragança 

8th July 

Define irony. Is it when the Sporting player who has barely been able to stand on his own two feet the past few weeks suddenly finds himself as the only current player still left at this summers world cup finals? It could possibly be. Luis Suárez is off on holiday after started Colombia's penalty loss to Switzerland. He could only add a booking to his assist in the tournament. Which writer spent all season writing how he's not an elite striker? Funny how all the Premier League links in the press went very quiet very quickly. So will we see Debast at all? Can he beat Zalazar, Rui Silva and Inácio by just playing a single minute. I certainly hope so.

7th July

As the controversy over Folarin Balogun's overturned red card continues to roll on, the big news for the USA v Belgium game is the return of Zeno Debast to the substitutes bench. How ironic would it be to have been battling back to fitness all tournament and potentially finish with more minutes than Gonçalo Inácio.

Update - rather incredibly Debast's World Cup although still to even start is still yet to end. Only Luis Suárez and Colombia who kick off against Switzerland in the round of 16 at 2100 hours GMT has the ability to be the last lion standing at this years tournament. In the end whilst Debast didn't make it off the substitutes bench, his teammates put the US to the sword winning 4-1 to book a place in the Quarter Finals against Spain.

6th July

It is I think fair to suggest that Portugals exit from the World Cup cannot be in anyway, shape or form blamed on Sporting. Spain won 1-0 through a 90th minute Merino goal. Ex-lion Pedro Porro played the full 90 for them. For the Seleção Veiga, Fernandes and Ronaldo played the full 90. Mendes started but went off injured on 56. Leão was a 71st minute substitute. Which of course means not a single minute for Trincão, Inácio or Silva. Across the course of 450 minutes the lions full contribution of minutes were Trincão's 27 against Uzbekistan. 

5th July 

Sporting's ex players continue to tumble out of the World Cup Finals like dominoes. Having battled back from injury to regain his place on the bench Raphinha was an unused substitute in Brazil's 2-1 defeat by Norway who qualify for the Quarter finals. Tomorrow we see Portugal take on Spain. Tuesday Belgium take on the USA with a question mark still over the fitness of Debast. Then later that evening Colombia take on Switzerland. 

4th July

Heartbreak for former lion Jovane as Cape Verde lost after extra time to current World Cup holders Argentina 3-2. He started the game and certainly on the radio commentary which felt surreal he was mentioned far more in the opening quarter of an hour than Messi. Better news for Luis Suárez. He started on the bench once more but didn't have to wait long for his opportunity coming on as an 8th minute substitute. He's credited with the assist for Colombia's only goal scored by Arias as they beat Ghana 1-0. Switzerland up next for them. 

3rd July

Portugals World Cup hopes remain alive after a narrow round of 32 win over Croatia 2-1. Again the lions players (Rui Silva, Trincão and Inácio) with the best seat in the house watching on from the sidelines for the 90 minutes. Plenty of ex-lions on display however - Nuno Mendes, Veiga, Fernandes, Ronaldo and Leão all started. Ronaldo scored a penalty before being withdrawn. Portugal will now face Spain in the round of 16 knockouts. If nothing else Inácio isn't seeing his market value effected. 

2nd July 

The lions have rebranded their badge and so far it's been compared to Alex from Madagascar and the Peugeot badge. Sadly once you've seen it you can unsee it.

Zeno Debast has his Belgium teammates to thank for keeping his slim World Cup hopes alive as they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in extra time and book a round of 16 tie against one of the host nations, the USA.

Ex-lion Pedro Porro started and scored the third goal in Spain's 3-0 win over Austria. 

Federico Varandas has confirmed that the opening bid from Atlético de Madrid for Morten Hjulmand has been rejected. 

The 2026/27 season fixture list has been released. The lions face Estrela away in their opening game. Vitória and Alverca are welcomed to the José Alvalade in back to back home games before Rio Ave away rounds out the month of Augusto.

1st July

Happy birthday to the grand old lady 120 years young today and welcome back to the majority of the squad who restart pre-season training. Someone's going to be running off cake by mid afternoon.

The players at the World Cup with associations to Sporting continues to dwindle. Gone - Gonzalo Plata and Ecuador as they lost 2-0 to Mexico. He played the full 90 as did Viktor Gyökeres in Sweden's 3-0 defeat by France. 

Back in Portugal pre-season training commenced. Vagiannidis, Kochorashvili and Hjulmand had dispensation from Rui Borges and weren't present. Koba Koindredi was however amongst those who started fitness work, however his future still lies away from the club. One face who was present despite speculation linking him with a summer move was Pedro Gonçalves. 

30th June

Clearly having beaten Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League and keeping Erling Haaland on a leash wasn't sufficient enough of a calling card for Ousmane Diomande and the Côte d'Ivoire as they took on Norway in the round of 32 at the World Cup. The Norwegians progress 2-1 to the final 16. Bring our boy home where he's loved. He does at least end up with a World Cup appearance to his name having played the full 90 against Curacao but the sooner Faé goes the better for his international career it must be said.

Sergi Altmira is confirmed as the lions fifth signing of the summer all before the end of June. The 24 year old midfielder cost €18m from Real Betis with a potential €2m in addition ons. Release clause anyone? Yes well done you at the back, €80m and he's signed on a five year deal. 

28th June

FIFA confirmed that no game at the 2026 World Cup Finals had received more tickets applications that Colombia v Portugal with over 5 million in total. So perhaps the current lions contingent should be grateful for some of the best seats in the house. Even Luis Suárez didn't start for Colombia coming on for the last half hour. Rui Silva, Trincão and Inácio could only watch on for the full 90 in a 0-0 draw which saw both teams qualify for the last 32. Plenty of ex-lions on display however - Mendes, Veiga, Fernandes and Ronaldo all started. Leão and Nunes came on as second half substitutes. Portugal now face Croatia, Colombia face Ghana. Belgium face Senegal but Debast looks all the more unlikely to play any part in the tournament. Côte d'Ivoire face Norway and whilst Diomande played the full 90 minutes in their third round game we're well aware that Emerse Faé isn't the youngsters biggest fan. 

27th June

A contrasting night of emotions for lions past and present in Group H of the World Cup. No minutes for Jovane as Cape Verde drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia however the point enough to setup a last 32 fixture against holders Argentina. In the other game Spain won 1-0 against Uruguay to knock the South Americans out. A full 90 minutes for Maxi Araújo but he was unable to score in a third straight game. Ugarte was replaced at half time. New boy Rodrigo Zalazar finishes the tournament without having played a single minute. Porro was an unused substitute. Belgium finally clicked into gear in Group G with a 5-1 trouncing of New Zealand however it looks highly unlikely that Zeno Debast will recover before the end of the tournament from his injury that has so far kept him sidelined throughout. So Araújo and Zalazar now presumably get to go away on holiday and won't be expected back on July 1st at Alcochete. All eyes turn to tomorrow's game between Colombia and Portugal. Luis Suárez still to find the net. Only Trincão has played anytime for the Seleção. 

Sporting B have reached a deal with Gil Vicente to sign 18 year old winger Rodrigo Rodrigues. David Moreira and José Silva are heading in the opposite direction.

26th June

Biel's world tour continues, next stop Cyprus with Pafos on loan under the lions former mister Ricardo Sá Pinto.

Ex-lion Viktor Gyökeres adds an assist to his opening game goal as Sweden drew 1-1 with a Morita less Japan.

25th June 

Finally on Matchday 3 Ousmane Diomande makes his World Cup debut for Côte d'Ivoire as they beat Curacao 2-0 to secure second place in Group E and a place in the last 32. Not only did he start, it was in his favoured centre back role and he played the full 90 completing 72 of his 74 passes. 

Meanwhile in the other Group E game ex-lion Gonzalo Plata was the hero of the hour as his 76th minute goal secured a 2-1 win over Germany. That moves them onto four points and they top the best of the 3rd placed teams meaning they've also now secured a spot in the final 32 as they cannot be overtaken.

24th June

Luis Suárez lasts 58 minutes before being shanked in Colombia's 1-0 win over the DR Congo. The win takes the south Americans clear at the top of the group above Portugal who they'll face in the final group game. 

Chris Grombahi who made his full debut for the first team last season and who then went on loan to Club Brugge, has returned to Sporting B. His period in Belgium was hampered by injuries and they've decided no to take up the 2 million euro option they had to purchase the youngster. He will be integrated back into the lions setup. Having lost Afonso Moreira for the same fee to Lyon one cannot help but wonder if actually it's a blessing in disguise. As always time and opportunities will tell for the academy graduates.

23rd June

It's the lions old players once more grabbing the headlines at the world cup. Goals for Leão, Nuno Mendes and Ronaldo in Portugals 5-0 win over Uzbekistan plus Bruno Fernandes with an assist. Plus some actual minutes for a current player as Trincão played the last 27 minutes following his swap with João Félix. All eyes turn to early tomorrow morning as Colombia take on DR Congo. 

Fatawu plays 24 minutes in Ghana's 0-0 draw with England.

22nd June

Sporting announce the rest of their pre-season fixtures. Nottingham Forest on July 31st, AS Monaco will be the opposition for the Troféu Cinco Violinos on July 25th. Confirmation also that the Strasbourg fixture will be in the Algarve.

Maxi Araújo shines for Uruguay once more as he scores his countries opening goal and assists Augustín Canobbio for their second goal. He also sees a second goal disallowed for marginal offside before being withdrawn ten minutes from time. Ex-lion Manuel Ugarte plays 70 minutes. No minutes for Jovane for Cape Verde or new signing for Sporting Rodrigo Zalazar who was also an unused substitute.

21st June

Ex-lion Pedro Porro plays the full 90 for Spain in their 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. 

20th June

Ex-lion Raphinha lasts just 40 minutes of Brazil's game against Haiti, forced to withdraw with injury. The Seleção would go onto win 3-0. 

Viktor Gyökeres plays the full 90 minutes as Sweden end up on the wrong side of a 5-1 trouncing to the Nederland's. He also suffers the igimony of being the player who touched the ball fewest times from either side. 

The race continues between the injured Debast and Diomande to see if either can play a minute in the World Cup Finals. The latter again an unused substitute as the Côte d'Ivoire suffer an injury time defeat to Germany 2-1. 

Gonzalo Plata rounds out what was in effect a miserable day for lions past and present at the World Cup as Ecuador could only draw 0-0 with Curacao. He played the full 90 minutes.

19th June

The club announce another pre-season opponent as they face Blueco owned Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace on July 20th.

18th June

Luis Suárez starts and plays 80 minutes in Colombia's 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.

Ex-lion Fatawu makes his world cup debut from the substitutes bench as he comes on in the 57th minute in Ghana's 1-0 win over Panama.

17th June

Normal service resumed as Roberto Martinez ignores any current lion in the starting XI for the match against the DR Congo. Ex-lions Veiga, Mendes, Fernandes and Ronaldo started. Another two on the bench in the form of Leão and Nunes alongside the current players of Silva, Inácio and Trincão. In the end no minutes for any Sporting player as Portugal could only draw 1-1 with DR Congo. 

16th June 

Finally a start for a lion as Maxi Araújo played for Uruguay against Saudi Arabia alongside ex-lion Manuel Ugarte. Araújo not only starts but scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw before being substituted moments later. Sadly no minutes for Zalazar. Ugarte notably struck the post from distance before Uruguay drew level. 

15th June

Diomande once more ignored for selection by Côte d'Ivoire coach Emerse Faé and plays no part in their opening World Cup fixture against Ecuador. Familiar face on the opposition however in the form of Gonzalo Plata.

Another ex-lion with the chance to make his mark on the competition in the form of Viktor Gyökeres who scored in Sweden's 5-1 thumping of Tunisia. 

Jovane completes the set of ex-lions to appear today as he played the first hour of Cape Verde's 0-0 draw against European Champions Spain. Pedro Porro an unused substitute for Spain.

Catarina Potra, Anna Wellmann, Britanny Raphino, Beatriz Fonseca and Rita Almeida have all ended their association with the lionesses.

Uruguay apparently with travel issues yesterday trying to enter the US. They face Saudi Arabia tonight when we should finally have a Sporting player in action with Maxi Araújo and new signing Rodrigo Zalazar in the squad. 

Zeno Debast still struggling for fitness as he misses Belgiums opening game against Egypt which finished 1-1.

13th June 

Confirmation of six players who'll definitely be looking at some form of exit during the summer; Kochorashvili, Faye, Biel, Koindredi and Sotiris. Faye is being linked with a loan move to FC Lorient. Brito who is in his last year of contract could go to Pafos where he spent last season on loan. 

Ex-lion Raphinha plays the full 90 minutes in Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco 

10th June

The lions will play Glasgow Celtic again this pre-season at the Estádio Algarve on Tuesday July 14th.

Leandro Grimi has been confirmed as the new mister for the U23s.

Starts in the Seleção for Inácio and Trincão who both play the first half of Portugal's 2-1 win over Nigeria before being replaced at half time. 

9th June

The lions have gone Scandinavian again as they unveil their fourth signing of the summer Silas Andersen from Hacken. The 21 year old midfielder joins from Hacken for an initial fee of €7.25m which could rise to €10m. He's signed a five year deal with an obligatory release clause of €80m. Let's hope he does better than the last Silas as Sporting!

Tiago Fernandes has returned to the club and the 44 year old will take over Sporting B on a two year contract. Son of Sporting legend Manuel, Tiago previously coached for the lions over a period of 8 seasons working with the youth players. 

8th June

Luis Suárez starts for Colombia in their 2-0 win over Jordan but is withdrawn at half time.

7th June

Vagiannidis starts and plays 76 minutes for Greece in their 1-0 loss to Italy.

Silas Anderson has completed his medical ahead of being announced as the lions forth signing of the summer. 

After promising a multitude of big name summer signings at Fenerbaçhe including our very own Luis Suárez, Hakan Safi failed to win the election. Off you fuck. Toodle pip.

6th June

Zeno Debast still not fit enough to be included in the Belgium squad as they warmed up for the World Cup with a 5-0 demolition of Tunisia. 

Rui Silva and Gonçalo Inácio were both second half substitutes for Portugal as they beat Chile 2-1. The opponents goal coming in additional time. Not the first time of late that Silva has been beaten past the 90 minutes mark.

Not satisfied with their efforts to destabilise the lions season last time around, FC Porto once again using their propaganda wing before a ball has even been kicked in anger. Hakan Safi the presidential candidate for Fenerbaçhe (pictured above holding an FC Porto shirt next to their club president André Villas-Boas) has made the promise that if he wins their elections over the weekend he'll sign Luis Suárez. Federico Varandas didn't batter an eyelid when asked about it yesterday confirming the release clause is €80m and all they'd have to do is pay it in full, there would be no need for negotiations. 

Carolina Santiago amongst the goals once more as the young lioness starts and scores in Portugal's 5-0 win over Latvia.

Goalkeeper Diego Callai has been released by the club. He made 25 appearances this last season for Sporting B. He never made a full first team appearance and will be most remembered for the fact the Sporting admin on X never once spelled his name right. Pedro Miguéis has also left the club. Guess they'll be looking for some more goalkeepers then. 

5th June

SS Napoli have now offically confirmed the signing of Alisson Santos. 

More minutes for Kochorashvili as he started for Georgia in their 2-0 win over Bahrain. He was substituted on 71 minutes.

4th June

The Côte d'Ivoire warmed up for their World Cup Group E fixture with a surprising 2-1 victory over France. Ousmane Diomande played out the final fifteen minutes as a second half substitute.

Vagiannidis plays 27 minutes for Greece in their 2-2 draw against Sweden. The big story though the deflected free kick for ex-lion Viktor Gyökeres which hit Benfica forward Pavlidis en route into the net.

3rd June

Bruno de Carvalho is back... OK maybe not that one. Bruno Ramos de Carvalho more commonly known as just Bruno Ramos, has seen his €2m transfer clause activated from Académico de Viseu and the 21 year old Brazilian is now officially a lion. The youngster had previously been on loan and playing with Sporting B.

Denmark were held to a 0-0 draw with DR Congo however Morten Hjulmand had been given permission to withdraw from the squad through injury. The lions captain currently being linked with a possible move to Atlético de Madrid or rather surprisingly, Everton in the Premier League who have also been linked with the Greek defender Vagiannidis. I try shy away from speculation but sometimes it appears so bonkers that you just have to add it for the comedy value. 

2nd June

No Debast for Belgium as they warmed up for the World Cup with a 2-0 win over Croatia. The defender still rehabilitating the injury that kept him out of the last rounds of the season with the lions. One man who did get a full run out was Kochorashvili as he featured in Georgia's 1-1 draw with Romania. Luis Suárez came on as a second half substitute for Colombia against Costa Rica and found the net with ten minutes to go from close range to score the third goal in their 3-1 win. 

1st June

Three days later than planned the lions are finally able to announce the official signing of Italian midfielder Issa Doumbia from Venezia in a deal that could potentially rise to €26m. The 6ft 2" 22 year old has 3 caps for the national side at U21 level for the Italians but also has the option of joining Ousmane Diomande with the Côte d'Ivorie at full level.

Confirmation also that SS Napoli have triggered the clause to sign Alisson Santos to take the total deal to the Italians for the Brazilian to €20m having spent the second half of the season on loan.  

31st May

It now feels like a lion's tradition whereby the club confirms those players who are considered untouchable in the summer transfer window. Previously we had Viktor Gyökeres the summer before last, last summer it was Morten Hjulmand. Both had agreements whereby the club would however let them move the following summer and we still await to see where the Dane will depart to in the forthcoming weeks. Four players make this season's list; Geny Catamo who up until a couple of months ago had been widely tipped to leave. Plus three of the back four in Iván Fresneda, Maxi Araújo and Ousmane Diomande. 

Maxi Araújo and new signing Rodrigo Zalazar have both been called up to the Uruguay squad for the World Cup Finals. They'll face Saudi Arabia in their opening group game, followed by Cape Verde and finally reigning European Champions Spain in their last fixture. 

28th May

Sporting confirmed their second signing of the summer with the official unveiling of Pedro Lima. I am always up for new signings with 4 letter simple surnames it must be said when it comes to writing match reports. The 23 year old Brazilian midfielder was signed from newly relegated AVS. €4m the fee plus €2m in variables. Like the winter signing Luis Guilherme, Lima came through the setup of Brazilian side Palmeiras.

27th May

Augsburg have triggered the deal to complete the purchase of Rodrigo Ribeiro for €5m. The player who turned 21 in April made a total of 12 first team appearances for the lions. In his 14 Bundesliga appearances on loan he found the net twice.

22 year old central defender Rômulo Júnior is returning to Atlético Mineiro in Brazil after the club decided against taking up the €4m option to purchase him. He leaves having made only two first team appearances, one against Gil Vicente and the other coming in the Taça da Liga semi final defeat against SC Vitória when he was at fault for one of the goals having not even been looking in the right direction of where the cross was coming in from behind him with his back turned. Seems a rather big flaw for a defender. He made 15 appearances in total for Sporting B. 

26th May

The 2025/26 season might have only officially finished two days ago but changes are already afoot at Sporting SAD. Sporting B are already on the lookout for a new mister after João Gião departed to take on the role of coach at fellow Liga side Nacional on a one year deal to replace Tiago Margarido for the 2026/27 season. Gião had enjoyed a fruitful start to his time with the club building on the foundations of the previous incumbent João Pereira, securing promotion to Liga 2. The young lions topped the table for much of the opening of the campaign but 2026 proved to be a disaster as their form dropped off a cliff. In the 21 matches from December 14th, 2025 onwards they'd win just 4 more games, drawing 1 and losing a staggering 16 times. Gião's chances of success surely rest on Nacional being able to keep top goalscorer Chuchu Ramírez with the club. 

It was recently announced before the end of the season that David Moreira would be on his way from Sporting B. Now he has a possible destination with a deal on the table from Polish side Jagiellona who are set to feature in next season's Europa League. From memory his sole appearance was in last season's Taça de Portugal coming on as a substitute late on in extra time. I'm a mind full of useless information. 

25th May

Just a few weeks ago the 22 year old Diogo Travossos was full of enthusiasm and commitment for the season ahead upon his return to Sporting…only to be used as makeweight in the deal with Sporting Braga to sign Zalazar. He signs on a five year deal for a fee of €5.5m plus a projected additional €1m in bonuses. It's believed Sporting will be entitled to a 15% sell on clause as part of the deal. 

For those not on World Cup duty with their national sides, pre-season will now begin a week early with players asked to report back in the first week of July instead of the second week. That'll learn some of them after Sunday's shock defeat to Torreense in the Taça de Portugal