The defender enjoys his final minutes in the game against CS Marítimo

The end of the 2020/21 season coincided with the end of the playing career of João Pereira, who made his final appearance playing 59 minutes at the Estádio José Alvalade against CS Marítimo.

The 37-year-old right back calls time on his playing days after a career that included three spells at Sporting CP: 2010-2012, 2015-17, and a final four-month stint when he rejoined the club from Turkish side Trabzonspor in February of this season.

In total, Pereira made 154 official appearances for Os Leões, as well as representing SL Benfica, Gil Vicente FC and SC Braga in Portugal, Valencia CF in Spain, Hannover 96 in Germany and Trabzonspor from 2017-2020. He also earned 40 caps for the Portuguese national team.

"I have to thank Sportinguistas for everything they gave me. It's a pleasure to play for this club. Unfortunately, I didn't win as many titles as I would like to, but I have finished my career in the best way possible," he told Sporting TV after the final whistle, as he received an homage on the pitch from his teammates.

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The fullback signs for his third spell at the club

João Pereira is back at Sporting Clube de Portugal, as another winter reinforcement for the Liga NOS leaders. The 36-year-old comes in as a free agent after his contract with Trabzonspor was terminated, and is beginning his third spell at the club.

The experienced right-back, a former Sporting CP captain who also boasts 40 caps for Portugal, has signed a contract through to the end of the current season.

"I am very happy to represent this great club for the third time. I feel the same desire and I have the same motivation as when I signed for the first time," he told the media at his presentation.

"I want to help Sporting CP on and off the pitch. I know the people who work at the club very well, and many from my first spell are still here," he continued.

"I have always been treated very well here and I feel like this is a family."

Pereira trained with his new teammates on Wednesday, and believes that his adaptation will be quick.

"It's easier to adapt, but I have also followed Sporting CP and I know more or less how they play. However, it is always important to already know some colleagues and the coach," he explained. The fullback has previously played with the likes of Sebastián Coates, João Mário and coach Rubén Amorim.

Pereira has unfinished business at the club, having played a total of 149 games for them.

"150 is a round number and an important achievement, but it is not an obsession. When it has to happen, it will happen. I urge the fans to continue to support the team, because together we are much stronger."

João Pereira joined Sporting CP for the first time in the 2009/2010 winter transfer market, from SC Braga. After more than 100 games, spread over two and a half seasons, he headed to the Spanish league with Valencia CF. This was followed by a spell at Hannover 96 in Germany, and in 2015 he returned to Portugal and Sporting CP -where he won the Super Taça. In January of 2017 he took on a new challenge at Turkish side Trabzonspor, and now comes back to his homeland.

Information regarding the transfer of João Pereira

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Trabzonspor Kulübü for the permanent transfer of the player João Pereira.

Sporting SAD wishes João Pereira the best of professional and personal success.

João Pereira brushes off Sunday's Lisbon derby defeat

João Pereira took a moment to speak with the press at the final whistle on Sunday, affirming that the loss will do little to shake Sporting CP's title chase.

"I thought we had a great second-half. Nothing is going to shake us, we are in the fight. Even when we were losing 2-0, we did everything we could to turn the result around. The boss looked at Benfica's weaknesses and told us how we could get at them, but unfortunately we didn't get the result", said the Portuguese international.

João Pereira looks ahead to Friday's hosting of Estoril

Looking to recover from two consecutive loses against Real Madrid and Rio Ave, Sporting will be looking to get back to winning form this Friday against Estoril.

“We have to be prepared for anything. We have had some hard moments in the five games we have played so far, but we are ready. The three points are important this Friday and we want to win for our fans. We are ready to go for it", said João Pereira in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week.

João Pereira battles back spot in the Alvalade defence and is expecting a tough challenge this weekend

Looking ahead to this weekend's Liga NOS matchday 4 hosting of Moreirense, João Pereira is expecting a tough afternoon's work against what is typically stobborn opposition.

"It will be hard. We wanted to win every game, but especially now that we are at the top of the league. Moreirense are an organised team with a new coach and it will be hard for us, but we are favourites and we have to show why on the pitch", affirmed the wing-back, adding a word on the squad's return after the recent international break: "The break was good for integrating the new players, even though Markovic and Bas Dost arrived a bit later on."