Sebastián Coates happy with his new Alvalade deal

"A lot things were said, but I always wanted to play for Sporting CP", said Sebastián Coates after completing a permanent move to Alvalade this week.

Speaking with Sporting Journal, the Uruguayan proved overjoyed with the deal: "I am really happy with this opportunity. It was something I was looking to do when I arrived here, convincing the club to do this. I want to win a lot of titles here. This is a great club, with a lot of history. I will do my best to reach our objectives."

Lukas Spalvis

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Rosenborg BK for the loan of the player Lukas Spalvis until December 2017.

Sporting SAD wishes Lukas Spalvis the best of personal and professional success.

Gelson Martins

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Gelson Martins for the extension of the player's contract until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Gelson Martins the best of professional and personal success.

Sebastián Coates

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Sebastián Coates and activated the club's purchase option with Sunderland AFC for the transfer of the player. Sebastián Coates has agreed a contract valid until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Sebastián Coates the best of professional and personal success.

Recommendations ofr fan travelling to FC Porto

Sporting CP has released the following information for fans travelling to FC Porto this weekend:

- Those travelling with the club's Organised Fan Groups should meet at Estádio José Alvalade at 12h00. This will ensure that all coaches can depart at 12h30.

- Parking for Sporting CP fans will be in the STCP carpark near to Estádio do Dragão, where fans will be escorted at 18h00. If all fans do not arrive on time, the escort will leave at 19h30 and all fans will not enter the stadium in time for kick-off.

- Fans travelling in their own vehicles should meet at the STCP carpark.

Sales information for the visit to FC Porto

Considering the limited number of tickets available for the 'Classic', on Liga NOS matchday 20, ticket takes will proceed as follows

WEDNESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 and a Member Gamebox for 14 years (100%)
THURSDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 and Member Gamebox for 8 to 13 years
FRIDAY | Club members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 and Member Gamebox for 1 to 7 years

Ticket offices will be open from 10h00 to 20h00, with tickets priced as follows::

FAN ZONE | €25
SECTOR 46 | €35

A valid Gamebox must be presented upon purchase, with each card valid for 1 ticket. Each person may present a maximum of 4 cards.

Futebol Clube do Porto vs. Sporting Clube de Portugal will kick off at 20h30 on Saturday the 4th of February, in Estádio do Dragão.

Alvalade winger in the limelight around Europe

Gelson Martins' wonder goal against Paços de Ferreira this weekend has been attracting the attention of the press around the world, including from the Spanish publication, As.

In addition to footage of the goal, the journalist affirmed "Sporting CP's jewel, who is wanted by half of Europe, pulled off this wonder against Paços de Ferreira", in an article with the title "Excellence of Gelson Martins. Chips the goalkeeper and scores!"

To relive Gelson's goal, you can find the original article here.

Jorge Jesus praises his side's return to winning form

Speaking in his post-match press conference on Saturday after his side's return to business as usual, with a 4-2 win against Paços de Ferreira, coach Jorge Jesus proved understandably pleased with the performance.

"It was a great first-half, maybe the best this season in Alvalade. We scored three quality goals and were great technically and tactically. We played some quick and creative football again, a lot of which was down to Alan [Ruiz] while he could keep up physically. We did the hardest part and went 2-0 in front. Our emotional levels were a bit low, which happens when you don't win. I told the lads at half-time that it was important to score one more, but we then let in two goals and it shook us a bit", said the Sporting CP coach, going on to reflect on the booking of William Carvalho and the resulting absence from the coming visit to FC Porto: "It was a shame. He hardly touched the player and all he did was step on the end of his boot. The match against FC Porto isn't decisive, but we will have to play well."

Sporting CP back to winning form in Alvalade after three tough matches on the road

Nothing better than a packed Estádio José Alvalade to guide Sporting CP back to winning form after three disastrous away results. Two strikes from Bas Dost, a stroke of brilliance from Gelson Martins and a penalty from Adrien Silva secured a convincing win over Paços de Ferreira, despite the visitor's rally in the second-half.

Paços de Ferreira were only able to hold out for 12 minutes, with the deadlock broken after Adrien was pushed in the area by Pedro Monteiro for a penalty that the Sporting CP skipper himself stepped up to convert on with a cool finish. Jorge Jesus' side continued to push the pace and twenty minutes later Bas Dost made it 2-0 with the simplest of finishes from close range after a cross from Schelotto.

Estádio José Alvalade was already on a high, but Gelson Martins blew the roof off three minutes later with one of the finest goals of the season. The skillful winger controlled a pass from William Carvalho, before lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper's head and set up a finish from a couple of metres out.

Sporting CP looked to be in cruise control, but Paços de Ferreira had other ideas and after the break Welthon managed to squeeze a goal in from a tight angle. The Brazilian again struck on 76 minutes with a header from point blank range, but Sporting CP were not about to let the visitors steal the show and rallied in attack. Of course it was Bas Dost who resorted the two-goal cushion, with the big Dutchman rising higher than anybody else in the area to secure the final result.

Jesus announces squad for Liga NOS matchday 19

Jorge Jesus has named his squad to host Paços de Ferreira this Saturday night, in a 20h30 kick-off in Alvalade.

1 - Rui Patrício
2 - Ezequiel Schelotto
7 - Joel Campbell
10 - Bryan Ruiz
11 - Bruno César
14 - William Carvalho
15 - Paulo Oliveira
19 - Douglas Teixeira
20 - Luc Castaignos
23 - Adrien Silva
28 - Bas Dost
31 - Marvin Zeegelaar
34 - Beto Pimparel
35 - Rúben Semedo
47 - Ricardo Esgaio
66 - João Palhinha
73 - Matheus Pereira
77 - Gelson Martins
99 - Alan Ruiz