João Moutinho Makes Shock Move To Rivals Porto
João Moutinho’s transfer from Sporting to FC Porto was completed 3 weeks ago and the move will never be forgotten in Portuguese football. It is extremely rare that a player moves from Sporting to Porto or vice versa, especially the team’s captain! Moutinho wanted to leave Sporting who he had represented since the age of 14 and Porto offered the best deal. Everton had been tracking the midfielder for 2 years but never made a tempting offer for the Lisbon based side.
FC Porto managed to snap up João Moutinho for €11m plus Nuno Andre Coelho (Aged 24). Moutinho’s release fee clause was fixed at an elevated €22.5m, but after an underachieving season and absence from the Portugal squad in South Africa, it was unlikely a club would offer a price anywhere in that region. The 23 year old signed a 5 year deal with the Dragons.
After taking part in the 2004/05 pre-season, Joaõ Moutinho made his league debut for Sporting on the 23rd of January 2005 against Gil Vicente. They won the match 3-0 and Moutinho played the entire match. His consistency kept him in the first team and the young box-to-box midfielder was fundamental in the team’s qualification for the UEFA Cup final in 2005 which they lost to CSKA Moscow. The former captain played 240 games in 5 years for Sporting, a brilliant record for a young and talented player.
Since completing his move, the 23 year old immediately grabbed a starting place and has been shining in the pre-season. João Moutinho will become a key element in the ambitious Porto side and ‘football lovers’ will be able to see him in action in the 2010/11 Europa League.
It’s good for Portuguese football that the best players remain in the league so it doesn’t lose it’s class, quality and prestige. However, is selling your captain to your rivals the best solution? Has João Moutinho become the most hated person in Lisbon?
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