Luuk de Jong (34) is embarking on a new adventure in the autumn of his career. But it wasn’t Al-Ettifaq or Florence who presented the former Gladbach player on Sunday – FC Porto pulled the striker out of the hat.
These days, it’s rare for a transfer not to be announced before it happens. But exceptions prove the rule. Such is the case with Luuk de Jong, who suddenly appeared in an FC Porto jersey on Sunday. At the official team presentation in the packed Estadio do Dragao.
It wasn’t just the Porto fans who were amazed before welcoming their new signing with loud applause. De Jong, who signed a one-year contract with an option for a further season, had been linked with two clubs in particular in recent days: Al-Ettifaq from Saudi Arabia and Fiorentina from Serie A. But it was Porto and its president André Villas-Boas who won the race.
De Jong will be coached by someone he recently dealt a sporting blow: the 34-year-old won the Dutch championship for the sixth time with PSV Eindhoven, overtaking long-time leaders Ajax Amsterdam at the finish line.
As a result, Francesco Farioli was suspended. However, on July 6, he signed with Porto, where Villas-Boas expressed his confidence in him and gave him a two-year contract until June 30, 2027.
Will de Jong deliver in Porto?
Now Farioli is tasked with leading the proud Portuguese club back to the top of the national league, where it last celebrated the championship in 2021/22. De Jong’s goals should also help. He comes with a recommendation of 192 goals in 337 Eredivisie appearances, including 14 goals and eight assists in 31 league games last season.
De Jong will now compete for a place in the center of the attack with former Atlético striker Samu, 21-year-old Deniz Gül, and Danny Namaso. The new number 26 won’t have much time to settle in, though, as Porto kick off their title campaign in Portugal against Guimaraes next Saturday (9:30 p.m.).