The new signing says that he already feels part of the group

Antunes only arrived at Sporting Clube de Portugal just over a week ago, but the defender says he already feels fully integrated into the team coached by Rúben Amorim.

"It has been very positive so far," he told the media at the club's training camp in Lagos on Monday. "I had been told that this was a very good, hardworking group, and that it would be easy to adapt. I already knew some members of the team, and that has made it easier. These past few days have been very positive."

The veteran campaigner also praised the attitude of the younger players, whilst explaining what he believes he brings to the team.

"I offer hard work and I will try to instil that mentality in the younger squad members, although I have already realised that they all have a lot of ambition and work their hardest every day," he said, singling out fellow defender Nuno Mendes for particular compliments.

"Competition is good for both of us. He is a quality player, make no mistake about it, and he will give a lot to both Sporting CP and Portuguese football. I will help him in whatever way I can. What is best for him – and for me – will be what is best for the club, and I am here to help."

Antunes also talked about Amorim, with whom he is working for the first time.

"A new season is beginning, with new ambitions, and he will be prepared for that. The ambition here is at its highest. All of the players want to win and we will face each game trying to claim as many points as possible. We will do this game by game, to achieve the club's objectives, increase the group's confidence and increase people's trust and respect for this team," promised the summer signing.

With the Portuguese national team squad for the UEFA Nations League games next month announced, the fullback says he is still available for his country if selected in the future.

"The door isn't closed on that, and it never has been. I will never say no to the national team. If I am called up, then great. If not, then life goes on. I sense that today it is much more difficult, as there are many more left backs from which to choose -there is even one here at Sporting CP."

The Manchester United midfielder stopped by on the squad's second day in the Algarve

The Sporting CP squad were visited by a familiar face on Sunday in the Algarve, as former teammate Bruno Fernandes stopped by the preseason training camp to check in with Os Leões. The midfielder, who left the club for Manchester United back in January, was pleased to catch up with people at a club for whom he still has great affection.

“I took the opportunity to visit those who were my teammates up until a few months ago, as well as the coaching staff and all of those whom I worked with for two and a half years," he told Sporting TV.

"It was brief, but they need to work and I need to rest. The most important thing was to be able to hug everybody here, and I can go home happy."

The Portuguese international became one of the breakout stars of the Premier League in the second half of last season, as well as the top scorer in the UEFA Europa League. He still follows Sporting CP closely, and spoke about the season ahead for the team.

"Sporting CP always have to aim high, but they have to go game-by-game and prepare for the Europa League qualifiers, to play in Europe. That is what the club deserve, and where they want to be," he stated.

As for his own aspirations, Fernandes promises to "continue to improve and do more" when the English season gets underway in September.

Week-long training camp for the first team squad

Sporting Clube de Portugal left Lisbon on Saturday for a summer training camp in the Algarve, which will run through to next Sunday. During their stay, the team will play two friendly games.

Before heading south, the team trained in the morning at the Academia Sporting, with two new faces: Antonio Adán and Nuno Santos, the most recent signings in a busy week of transfer activity, undertook their first session with their new teammates. Striker Luiz Phellype took part in the session with the group, although only for the initial drills.

Rúben Amorim has named the following 28 players for the trip:

Goalkeepers: Antonio Adán, Renan Ribeiro, Luís Maximiano and André Paulo;
Defenders: Zou Feddal, Sebastián Coates, Pedro Porro, Nuno Mendes, Luís Neto, Stefan Ristovski, Cristian Borja, Antunes, Eduardo Quaresma and Gonçalo Inácio;
Midfielders: Matheus Nunes, Jovane Cabral, Nuno Santos, Gonzalo Plata, Pedro Gonçalves, Marcus Wendel, Daniel Bragança, Rodrigo Fernandes, Idrissa Doumbia, Mees de Wit and Geny Catamo;
Strikers: Andraž Šporar, Tiago Tomás and Luiz Phellype.

The experienced goalkeeper arrives to provide competition between the sticks

Former Real Madrid, Cagliari, Real Betis and Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Adán has become the latest player to join the Sporting CP project, signing a two-year deal with the option for a further year.

Adán was unveiled on Thursday after passing a medical and signing his contract in Lisbon.

"I feel very happy. After finishing the Champions League with Atletico Madrid, I was looking forward to joining this club - which has so much history in Portugal," said the new arrival.

"I am aware of the amount of trophies that the club have won, plus the effort, dedication and enthusiasm that is present here. I believe that I have come here to contribute to that."

Adán was recently present at the Estádio José Alvalade as with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and had high praise for the ground.

"It's a spectacular stadium. It's a pity that there will be no fans there for the moment, but I am looking forward to having them there with us. It is sure to look even more beautiful then, than it did last week."

Amongst the Sporting CP squad are some familiar faces from the goalkeeper's time in Spain, including some other new signings.

"Feddal, Pedro Porro and Vitorino Antunes are players who come here from the Spanish league, and we know each other already. That's going to help with our adaptation. Everybody has spoken highly of the group. It's a young squad, but a good one, and I believe that adapting to that and to the city will go very well," explained the Spaniard, who will compete with the other goalkeepers for his place in the starting XI.

"It's good for me, for the team and for the club. The more competition in each position, the more the team grows -and the closer we will get to our objectives. We're teammates, but everybody has the ambition to play," commented Adán, coming into his 16th year as a professional.

"I'm in the best moment of my career and I have tremendous maturity. I'm looking forward to playing and to contributing with my experience and the hard work that I've been doing."

Adán will join up with the team this week, in their first sessions back after the summer break.

The goalkeeper commented on preseason and new arrivals in a chat with Sporting TV

Following their initial medicals and fitness tests, the Sporting Clube de Portugal first team squad made their long-awaited return to the training pitch this week. The players - including new signings such as Zouhair Feddal and Pedro Gonçalves - were put through their paces on Wednesday at the Academia Sporting in Alcochete.

Goalkeeper Luís Maximiano spoke to Sporting TV after the session to talk about the work undertaken.

"We are anxious to get the season started. We want to work hard, and the sooner the preseason games come around, the better for us to get ready," he explained.

"We have a strong group and players who are integrating right now. They have come in to increase the quality of the team, and that's why we are keen to have a good season."

Establishing objectives is standard for this time of year, and Maximiano is no different.

"The first thing that we have to do is get into the Group Stage of the Europa League, but a team like Sporting CP always fight to win every game - and that is what we intend to do."

The shot-stopper also hopes that the club will be able to welcome fans back to their stadium soon, to provide a boost to the players.

"It's always different playing in front of fans at the stadium, and if this happens it will be very positive for us and for those who must be missing coming to the Alvalade. I prefer to play in front of a full Estádio José Alvalade."

Five-year deal for promising central midfielder

Central midfielder Pedro Gonçalves has joined Sporting Clube de Portugal on a five-year deal from FC Famalicão.

The 22-year-old is in the third year of his senior career, having played at youth level for Vidago, Chaves, SC Braga, Valencia CF and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Speaking at his official presentation, 'Pote' said: “It is an honour to wear this shirt. Sporting CP are one of Portugal's big clubs, and I am sure that I will give everything for the Sportinguista family. There is an exciting project here".

"The objective is to win every game that we can, to bring as much joy as possible to the fans. We need their support", he continued. "I hope that the current situation is over as soon as possible, and that we can be together at Alvalade".

An almost ever-present last season for FC Famalicão, Gonçalves hopes to be equally as important at his new club. "I fit into the coach's ideas there, and I always gave everything that I had. I hope to do the same this year or even better".

"Talking isn't my strength; I like playing football more. I'm a player who likes to have the ball, win it back and I have good acceleration. It depends on what the coach wants. I adapt to any style of play".

"I know that I'm at a Club that aims to win, and I want to win big things"

Zouhair Feddal has joined Sporting Clube de Portugal from Spanish side Real Betis. The central defender signed a two-year deal with an option for an extension- on Monday, and will join up with the first team this week for preseason training.

Speaking after putting pen to paper on his contract, the 30-year-old told Club media: "I want to say to the Sportinguistas that I am very happy to be here, and to belong to this enormous Club. The only thing that I can promise is commitment, hard work, dedication and that I will fight to the end. That's something that I will never lack, and I hope that we can achieve our objectives".

The Moroccan international played in Spain for the past five years of his senior career, including spells at Deportivo Alavés, Levante UD and Real Betis in LaLiga. He also has experience at first team level in Italy, at Serie A sides Parma, Siena and Palermo, and in his native Morocco with FUS Rabat.

Feddal follows in the footsteps of several compatriots who have represented Sporting CP, as he explained: "I know that Noureddine Naybet and Mustapha Hadji played here. This is a very well-known Club in Europe and in Africa. Sporting CP are one of Portugal's big clubs, and I'm sure that we will reach our targets. I know that I'm at a Club that aims to win, and I want to win big things".

"I will adapt to what the coach wants. I'm available for whatever he needs, and I have to show all of the Sportinguistas that I'm here to do good things and to help Sporting CP".

The Sporting CP captain addressed Club's media on the first day back from the summer break

Club captain Sebastián Coates was amongst the players joining back up with the team this monday for preseason tests and he spoke about the return to action and the mood amongst the group.

"We're starting out with the same spirit as always. We are going to give everything for the club and fight hard. We're starting preseason with objectives in mind, and we want to start things off in the best possible way," he said.

"Whoever is at this club always wants to win every game, so we will do everything to ensure that happens," added the Uruguayan. "It's a year in which we have plenty of objectives, and it's a competitive league. We are going to give our all."

Before being put through the paces in fitness tests, Coates said that players "prefer to train with the ball", but that they "know fitness is very important and a part of preseason."

Whilst a date has been set for a return to Primeira Liga action, it is still unknown as to whether fans will be able to attend games when the season gets underway. It is something that concerns the Sporting CP captain. "It's always important to have the fans by our side. It's a difficult moment around the world, and we hope to have them back at our stadium. The best message that we can give is that we will do everything to prepare well for this season. (...) This group have quality and we are going to try our utmost to be in shape -physically and tactically. We all have the ambition of winning games and reaching our objectives."

One such objective will be Champions League qualification, as well as making it through to the UEFA Europa League group stage this term. "We have to show our quality. We have to show that we are capable of having a good campaign in the Europa League. Then, playing in the Champions League next season is what we all want. Sporting CP are a big club in world football, and big clubs have to be in the big competitions. Getting into the Champions League is an objective and an ambition for us all," concluded the skipper.

Os Leões start preseason with tests at Academia Sporting

The Sporting Club de Portugal first team got their 2020/2021 preseason underway on monday, at the Academia Sporting facility in Alcochete.

Rúben Amorim's squad underwent the customary medical examinations under the watchful eye of club professionals, before fitness tests in the afternoon to measure weight, muscle mass, body fat percentage, lung capacity and more.

The tests were all carried out according to club COVID-19 prevention protocols, in place to ensure the safety of the players.

Vitorino Antunes and Pedro Porro, the most recent arrivals at the club, participated in their first official commitments alongside the team since joining this past weekend.

Training for the players will resume this week, as the start of the 2020/21 campaign draws ever closer.

“It’s a childhood dream come true,” says the new arrival

Antunes has signed a two-year contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal, joining the club for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

The move is a homecoming for the portuguese defender, who has spent the past seven and half years in Spain and Ukraine.

“It’s sensational to be able to come back to Portugal, and to do so representing a Club like Sporting CP,” he told the Club media. “Playing for a big portuguese team is a childhood dream that is coming true now. It’s an enormous responsability for me, and I couldn’t let the opportunity go by.”

Antunes considers his experience abroad something that has made him “grow and improve,” and that he is “stronger than before.” Grateful for the chance to play in his homeland again, he promised that he will be up to the task.

“Above all, I work hard. I’ve never been the most attractive player to watch in terms of technique, but I’m not bad,” he joked. “I’ve always stood out for my fight and dedication, as well as my will to win.”

Asked about his new Club, Antunes commented that  he hopes to instil his qualities in the team, who deserves to win every year. "I’m coming here with that will, and I’m going to bring it to every game. I want to win trophies here.”

The one-time Malaga CF player believes that adapting will not be a problem, especially with the help of some familiar faces in Sporting CP's squad.

“Neto has been a close friend of mine for many years. He is going to be a big help for me to adapt quickly. With his help, and that of other players whom I know from other leagues, I think that my integration into the group will be easy. I know that there is a very humble group here, and that’s what we need to achieve great things for this Club: humility and hard work”

Curiously, like fellow new signing Pedro Porro, Antunes has a tattoo of a lion on his arm.