Sporting SAD statement about the loan of Rafael Barbosa

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Clube de Futebol União da Madeira – Futebol, SAD for the loan of the player Rafael Barbosa for the 2016/17 season, with no option for a permanent transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Rafael Barbosa the best of personal and professional success.

Jorge Jesus happy with his first week of pre-season training

Sporting's senior team is already out on the training pitch under Jorge Jesus' watchful eye, preparing for the coming pre-season campaign. Going into his second season at the Alvalade helm, the Sporting coach proved confident ahead of the start of official action in August: "We are feeling confident, because we have to be better after a year together. It helps ingrain ideas. If last year we came close and we want to improve on that, then we have to think about the title."

Speaking about the week's medical exams and training, Jesus revealed some of methods applied on the pitch: "Players who play for me have to be hungry for the ball, they have to want to get out there. If they aren't then they don't have much chance. Some of the lads are already used to that and those who have come in will have to get used to it. Most of the team came back in good shape. Alan Ruiz is a bit more difficult, because he was out of action for a while. The Argentinean league finished three months ago, so you can see the difference. In general I am satisfied and it is important that we don't push the players too hard at this stage."

Sporting will travel to Switzerland on the 11th of July, where the squad will remain until the 19th of July. Asked about the choice of venue, Jesus noted: "I and the president think it is a good idea to spend some time in pre-season in Europe. There are a lot of Portuguese immigrants over there, a lot of Sporting fans, and that contact will help build up a dynamic."

Monaco, FC Nyonnais, Zenit and PSV Eindhoven all await Lausanne and Jesus isn't about to underestimate what will most certainly be tough challenges. "They are Champions League sides. Pre-season results mean something, but it isn't the most important thing. Harder matches will force us to play harder and that is what we want", finished Jesus.

Luís Maximiano looking forward to the season after national youth championship win

“I wasn't expecting it. Everything happened so quick", said Luís Maximiano in an interview this week after his pre-season medical exams, taken back by a surprise call-up to Jorge Jesus' senior squad.

“I couldn't be happier. It is a dream for any player of my age to get into Sporting's senior team and now I will work hard to repay the people who have shown confidence in me", added the 17-year old, finishing: "I would like to follow Rui Patrício's example. He will be with me to help me grow."

Jorge Jesus' side set for exciting build up to the season with 10 friendlies

AS Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, Lyon and Villareal all await Sporting in what promises to be an exciting pre-season campaign, in what will be a total of 10 friendly encounters.

The first friendly is penciled in for the 9th of July against the B team. A training camp will follow from the 11th to the 18th of July in Lausanne, Switzerland, where Sporting will face Monaco (13th of July, at 20h30), FC Nyonnais (14th of July, at 19h), Zenit (16th of July, at 19h) and PSV Eindhoven (18th of July, at 20h30).

Five days later, Alvalade will host Lyon in the official presentation match. Jesus' side will then take part in the Iberian Trophy (26th of July, at 20h15) against Villarreal, before hosting Wolfsburg in Lisbon in the Five Violins Trophy (30th of July, at 20h).

August is reserved for Sporting's Iberian Cup campaign (4th of August, at 20h) against Betis, ahead of an encounter against Nice the following day (5th of August, at 20h30, in the Algarve Summer Cup.

Player to represent Akhisar Belediye GS next season

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Akhisar Belediye GS for the loan of Miguel Lopes for the 2016/17 season, with no option for a permanent transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Miguel Lopes the best of personal and professional success.

Players put through their paces ahead of first session on the pitch

Pre-season preparations continued this Wednesday, with another group of players being put through their paces at the CUF Clinic for the usual medical tests.

Gelson Martins, Coates, Barcos, Matheus Pereira and Ruiz (Frederico and Alan) were the first to show their stuff on Tuesday, followed by Ewerton, Wallyson, Stojkovic, Teo Gutiérrez and Aquilani.

In the afternoon session, Ryan Gauld, Francisco Geraldes, Daniel Podence, Guilherme Oliveira and Luís Maximiano (youth team goalkeeper) also underwent their respective medical checks.

Matheus Pereira takes aim at the coming campaign

More motivated than ever. That is how Matheus Pereira is shaping up for the coming season, speaking in an interview after his medical with the club's official health partner, CUF.

“This season will be better. We are all really focused. I rested well and made the most of my holidays. I feel ready to start the season", affirmed the young winger in an interview with the Sporting Journal after his medical this week, adding: "I was missing the fans, because they really get behind us. We always miss our home and I want to get back into the stadium with the fans."

Player loaned to Nacional da Madeira for the coming season

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Clube Desportivo Nacional – Futebol, SAD for the loan of the player Tobias Figueiredo for the 2016/17 season, with no option for a permanent transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Tobias Figueiredo the best of personal and professional success.

III Sporting Summer School starts 4th of July

The III Sporting Summer School will get underway at the Sporting Academy in Alcochete on Monday, the 4th of June.

The weekly courses (in July and August) last 44 hours (Monday to Friday and Saturday morning) are certified  by the Portuguese Institute for Sports and Youth for the Sports Coach Training and are worth 8.8 credits for the renewal of Professional Coaching Licences.

Places on the course are limited.

Sign up here

Sporting Clube de Portugal statement on articles published today

In light of articles published today in Portugal and Argentina about alleged interest from Boca Juniors in the player Jonathan Silva, Sporting Clube de Portugal notes the following:

1.       Boca Juniors have never shown interest in the purchase of Jonathan Silva;

2.       These articles are part of a strategy to weaken Sporting Clube de Portugal's position during the current transfer market, like other false new pieces published in Portugal and abroad about bids which never existed, for example from PSG for João Mário and from Leicester for Slimani;

3.       Sporting Clube de Portugal is today economically and financially stable, which permits the building of a short, medium and long term sports project. We are not in sales;

4.       Sporting Clube de Portugal is not in the business of selling its treasures, but does not turn away irrefutable bids. In this sense - and should such a bid exist for a player from the senior squad, Sporting Clube de Portugal will analyse it should it be in the interests of the Club;

5.       Sporting Clube de Portugal reaffirms that we have an ambitious sports project which is resulting in an economically and financially stable situation and which permits us to fight for all national titles, as well as European competitions we are involved in.