Ex-FC Porto B manager António Folha was finally confirmed as already departed Vítor Oliveira’s successor when Portimonense returned to training from the summer break last Monday.
One of the 47-year-old’s first acts in office was to rubber stamp the transfer of Ewerton, the Brazilian having joined compatriot and fellow former Portimonense star Paulinho at Porto on a four-year contract for an undisclosed sum.
With top scorer Fabrício already in Japan at Urawa Red Diamonds and Shoya Nakajima expected to join the exodus at any time, the club will face the new season without some of its most influential players.
Amongst the new arrivals already confirmed is 21-year-old left-winger Yuta Koike with more reinforcements from the Far East such as Mu Kanazaki and Kashiwagi expected to follow, while it is not clear if all of these will immediately join the first team or the newly-formed U-23s under the stewardship of Luís Boa Morte, also appointed on Monday.
Meanwhile, majority shareholder Theodoro Fonseca has refused to entertain advances from a Chinese consortium while the club turned down various offers from home and abroad for Lucas, Dener (both Braga), Hackman (Turkey) and Tabata (Saudi Arabia).
Portimonense will play its first home pre-season friendlies against FC Porto and French side Lille on July 17 and 25, respectively.
By SKIP BANDELE
Photo: Mu Kanazaki is expected to join Portimonense
