S.C Braga

Newly appointed Sporting Braga coach Jorge Jesus is looking forward to new challenges at the northern club. Jesus spoke to the media and underlined the fact that the expectations imposed by the club, as well as himself, will be huge.

“Braga are growing as a club, a city and a region and we want to become even closer to all of our supporters. We are confident and dedicated in our responsibilities and we do not have any doubts that we will be successful,” stated Jesus.

“We will put up a fight in every game, wherever it may be, aimed at obtaining victory. Every coach who arrives at Sporting Braga says that they want to challenge for Europe, but it is one thing to say it and another to actually achieve it.”

Two players that Jorge Jesus will be able to count on are Eduardo and Joao Pereira. The Braga goalkeeper, who recently signed a three-year deal with the Arsenalistas, was rumoured to be leaving the club, while Joao Pereira has been under the gaze of FC Porto.

But Braga’s director of football, Carlos Freitas, stated that no club has made an approach for either player and that the club are relying on the pair as Braga prepare for the Intertoto Cup this summer.

The competition, which provides a backdoor entry into the Uefa Cup, will see the Portuguese club enter in the third round which is scheduled for July 19/20 with the return leg on July 26/27.

Sporting Braga continue to build in the off-season as the club make an effort to reacquire their position in Portuguese football’s top echelons. The Arsenalistas have been successful in brokering a deal which will see the club add Portimonense goalkeeper Mario Felgueiras to their roster.

The 21-year-old is not expected to start as he will be the team’s third choice goalkeeper behind Eduardo and Kieszek. The former Liga Vitalis player is not placing huge expectations on his own shoulders, but is happy at making the move as he feels that the transfer will help his career immensely.

“This is a very important step in my career. Braga are a big club and they will allow me to grow. As well as that, they are close to Viana do Castelo, which is where I was born. I will be allowed to be close to my family, which will give me more stability emotionally. I have been six long years away from my family and it is important to be close to them.”

“I know that I will have strong competition, but this also is very important and it was one of the reasons why I selected Braga. It will be very good to evolve. My main objective is to learn, but I would also like to play,” added Felgueiras.

The former Sporting youth product is expected to sign a three-year deal with the club after having played 28 matches for Portimonense last season.

Sporting Braga continue to be the busiest club of the Bwin Liga, announcing the signing of central defender Moises from Boavista. The Brazilian stopper arrives on a free transfer and has signed a three-year deal with the Arsenalistas.

The 28-year-old is thrilled at having made a move from cash-strapped Boavista to a club the player feels is highly ambitious. “It’s an important challenge in my career. In the past few months that I spent in Portugal, I have come to understand that Sporting Braga are one of the top clubs and I will do everything to honour and defend this emblem.

“I will be a Minho warrior. I am anxious to meet my colleagues and contribute to winning trophies. The Braga squad comprises players that are of high quality. You can count on me to help,” stated the defender.

Moises becomes the club’s fifth signing behind Jose Manuel, Rainford Kalaba, Mario Felgueiras and new coach Jorge Jesus. The club have also extended the contract of goalkeeper Eduardo.

Linz garners interest
In other club news, Braga striker Roland Linz has caught the gaze of a few Premiership clubs. According to Sky Sports, Newcastle, Fulham and Middlesbrough have all shown interest in the Austrian marksman, although none of the clubs have made a formal approach to the Portuguese side.

It is believed the 26-year-old will be closely watched at this month’s European Championships, when Linz represents co-hosts Austria, before pulling the trigger on any possible deals.

Linz, who was purchased from Boavista just last summer, made a total of 35 appearances for the northerners, scoring 16 goals in all competitions in his first year with Braga.

S.S.C. Napoli are reportedly interested in signing Sporting Braga right-back Joao Pereira.

The Portuguese player has been linked with a move away from Braga, with FC Porto reported to be interested in his services following the departure of Jose Bosingwa to Chelsea.

However, the Dragons have not made an official approach for the 24-year-old yet, which could leave the door wide open for Napoli to begin negotiations.

The Italian outfit are ready to spend big to strengthen the squad as they want to return to Europe's elite, and the arrival of a new right-sided defender seems to be high on their list of priorities.

The Under-21 international has indicated to be happy at Estadio Municipal de Braga, but he has never ruled out a move to a bigger club, with hopes that it will allow him to earn regular call-ups to the Portuguese national side.

Pereira joined Braga from Gil Vicente in 2007, having played for SL Benfica from 2003 to 2005.