Adrien Silva

In compliance with the information obligations outlined in article 248 n.º 1 a) of the Market Securities Code, the Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD (Sporting SAD) Administration informs that the athlete Adrien Sébastien Perruchet da Silva will represent Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol SAD until the 2019/2020 season, with an additional optional season and a buy-out clause of €45,000,000.00 (forty five million euros).

Lisbon, 8th of February 2016

The Administration

Jorge Jesus ahead of Monday's hosting of Rio Ave

Jorge Jesus was with the press on Sunday afternoon for the Rio Ave pre-match press conference. While brushing off the idea of extra pressure coming from his side being provisionally in 2nd in the table, the Sporting coach was cautious to alert to the quality of Monday's opposition.

“Rio Ave are one of the best teams in the league. They are hard to play against tactically and how they play is well drilled, because they have had the same coach for a while now. We know what Rio Ave are worth and we will have to be in good form to win", opened the Alvalade boss, continuing: “We are in a position where we are the intruders in relation to our two rivals. We have said since the beginning of the season that we want to be in the fight, but we never thought we would be in first at this stage of the season. We are really proud for having been in first for so long and it shows the quality of the squad."

Explaining that Jefferson and Naldo have not been declared fit to face Rio Ave, while revealing that William Carvalho is in with a shout, Jesus also spoke about Coates, Barcos and Teo Gutiérrez: “Coates and Barcos haven't been with us for long and they are getting to know how the team works. Coates is pretty much match fit, while Barcos played a couple of weeks pre-season in China. They could be both included in the squad. Teo is focused. He arrived a bit later, which I authorised due to the injury he had. He is stable physically and he will be in the squad tomorrow is nothing happens in the meantime."

Guaranteeing that he has enough attacking options, despite the exit of Montero and Tanaka, Jorge Jesus dismissed comments on Carrillo and reflected on Octávio Mochado's statement on refereeing after last week's victory over Académica: “It isn't easy to be a referee in Portugal. We have good referees here, but everything is analysed here after the game, when it is easy to give out opinions. It is is a bit like the football team: when they don't play well, they are critised."

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will kick off at 19h00 on Monday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Mica Pinto's reaction to Sporting B's loss in the Algarve

Mica Pinto was again handed the captain's armband this weekend, this time for Sporting B's 2-0 loss to Portimonense. Speaking at the final whistle, the left-back proved confident that his side will soon be back to winning form in II Liga.

“We had 45 really good minutes and even when Portimonense still had eleven players we were hitting them on the counter-attack. When they went down to ten, we took a few more risks and it caused problems for us. Their goals came from individual errors and we have to accept them and dix them. This isn't a good period for us, but I have been here four years now and a phase like this always happens during the season. With hard work we will try and turn it around in our next game", said Pinto at the final whistle.

João de Deus on Sporting B's loss in Portimão

João de Deus was understandably disappointed with his side's loss to Portimonense this Saturday, however the Sporting B coach was also keen to point out the positives for a team looking for form.

“What was missing was us scoring when we had chances. We had some good opportunities and we were in front of goal three or for times, but we didn't score and when that happens you end up conceding. It was a hard game for us, because we were comfortable and our opponent only had three chances. The result isn't a reflection of what happened, but that is our fault", opened Deus, adding: "We have to carry on. I saw spirit in the lads today. They were more organised and players coming in during the transfer window is going to help us."

To finish, the Sporting B coach compared his side's current spell to a blip in form last season: "Las season we had a similar phase, but we lifted ourselves us and almost finished the league brilliantly. I believe we will do the same this season as well."

Sporting B sank by two second-half strikes

Sporting B were unable to turn around their recent II Liga form this weekend, with a 2-0 loss to Portimonense seeing João de Deus' side tally their seventh defeat in eight outings.

After a start-stop opening to the encounter, Podence fired off the first shot in 13th minute following a move with Ryan Gauld. The young Scotsman had a chance of his own four minutes later, but his effort lacked the pace to trouble the keeper. Looking particularly dangerous down the right, João de Deus' side were moulding some decent chances going forward and on 29 minutes Betinho could have opened the scoring, but for Ricardo Ferreira's heroics one-on-one.

Ewerton was shown a straight red a minute later, after a tackle on Domingos Duarte and Sporting B were given more breathing room in the build-up, but the team from Alvalade struggled to find the dept to do any damage to the scoreboard.

In the second-half Betinho again had a chance after linking up with a Ryan Gauld and Dramé, but the final product finished the wrong side of the post. Portimonense continued to dominated possession, but it was the introduction of Zambujo to the host's midfield that finally tipped the encounter. The midfielder opened the scoring in the 64th minute with a strike from outside the area, before winning a penalty five minutes from time that Ricardo Pessoa converted on.

The result leaves Sporting B on 36 points in II Liga.

Carlos Xistra names for Liga NOS matchday 21

Carlos Xistra, 42, from the Castelo Branco Football Association, has been named to take charge of Liga NOS matchday 21, between Sporting CP and Rio Ave.

Bertino Miranda and Jorge Cruz will act as linesmen.

Thsi will be Xistra's third time officiating Sporting this season, after the trips to Tondela (matchday 1, 2-1) and Estádio da Luz (matchday 8, 3-0).

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will kick off at 19h00 on Sunday the 8th of February, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Adrien reflects on season so far and the importance of the Alvalade youth system

Sporting skipper Adrien Silva gave shared an extensive interview this week, talking about the Alvalade youth system, as well as what has been a fantastic season so far for the talismanic captain.

The Sporting midfielder proved particularly proud of a recent study released by the Portuguese Football Federation on call-ups to the national under-15 to under-19, under-20 and under-20 squads, which put Sporting ahead of the rest of the pack: "Sporting always has been one of the best youth systems in the world and the study is fair recognition of the work being doing at the Academy. In my case, I arrived there when I was 12 and I went through the whole youth system at the club, so you I can say I learnt to become a man and a player here. I am really happy with the study. I have been in teams that have won national championships at under-15 up to under-19 and then I made by debut for the senior team when I was 18. It was also really important to spend time away, where I picked up experience and I am a better player today because of it. All I am missing is winning the senior title, after the Portuguese Cup and Super Cup."

In relation to the season so far, Adrien affirmed his side's confidence in turning in another win after a battling victory against Académica: “Rio Ave are one of the good sides in our league and that is why they are towards the top end of the table. They play some good football and they don't just look to defend. If that will make it easier for us, well I don't think you can look at it like that. Sporting always goes for the win against whoever we are playing against and it is down to us to put into practice what we have been doing during the week."

The Sporting number 23 also went on to highlight the importance of the fans this year in Sporting's title charge: “Both at home and away, the fans have been with us and they were again against Académica. They were crucial for us turning the game around. We let a goal in early, but we felt the fans with us and that is really important for us to carry on taking each game as it comes and to win the title. We are up there fighting for it! It is us that got us where we are now, in a fight that was only between two teams until last year!"

Interview with Sporting's Uruguayan international

Ever wondered what is going through a player's head when penning a deal with a new club? Well in the case of Sebastián Coates, it was the new kit he was about to put on. "It is really beautiful. It is a really nice colour", said the Uruguayan international.

Standing a towering 1.96m, Sebastián Coates will wear number 13. "Sporting is a club with a lot of history. It is one of the big clubs in Portugal and I am really happy. I will work and do the best I can", affirmed the centre-back in his first interview in Alvalade, having arrived on loan from Sunderland. “I have been playing in Europe for some years now and I am a player that likes to win, that is the main thing about me. I give everything I have got in every training session and match. I work hard, which is the most important thing, and I will give everything I can on the pitch for Sporting. I know the coach and I know his work. Sporting are really strong, we are in first in the league and we are in Europe, which is also important", finished the defensive giant.

Tobias, Jefferson, Naldo and William

Sporting's Medical Department has released the following clinical update on the first team:

Tobias: specialised training

Jefferson: muscle injury in the right calf - in treatment

Naldo: muscle injury in the right thigh - in treatment

William: trauma to the left foot - in treatment

Transfer of Fredy Montero to Tianjin Teda

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD has reached an agreement with Tianjin Teda for the transfer of Fredy Montero for a fee of €5,000,000.00, with Sporting SAD maintaining 20% of the athlete's economic rights.

Sporting SAD wishes Montero the best of personal and professional success.