Who said it was Abdoulay Diaby who arrived to Alvalade from Brugges

Abdoulay Diaby is already on the loose in Alvalade and was presented alongside Sousa Cintra, President of Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD.

"I am very happy to be here. Sporting CP is a great club and as soon as I learned of the possibility of coming here I did not hesitate", he began by saying at a press conference at Estádio José Alvalade. The 27-year-old from Mali came to José Peseiro's team to give a completely new side to the team. A bet on depth and speed, the forward who came from Club Brugge was given a 60 million euro termination clause and took on the interest he sees in the country as his next challenge.

"I know that Portuguese football has great clubs, which are always present in European competitions. The league level is good and I think it might be interesting for me. And the coming to Lisbon too (laughs)", he said. The left-hander, when asked if he would 'marry' well with Bas Dost, promptly replied: "We are very different players and we can complement each other. Besides the goals, which are very important for a striker, I can add other things. The season is long and I hope to contribute, "he explained.

Before signing for the lions, Diaby spoke to Mathieu, who encouraged his arrival. "He told me to come, that he would like it very much. The team plays quality football, the club's conditions are fantastic and the team is good", he finished.

Sousa Cintra took the floor and praised his latest athlete. "I am very pleased that he has arrived and I think Sporting fans will be very happy, it will be very important. He is the fastest player in Portuguese football, probably. He has a great ability, which gives depth to the attack, him and Bas Dost make a perfect match for more goals. He's used to being a champion. It will bring great contribution to the ambitions of Sporting CP, "he clarified.

Lisbon's Derbi will be held next Saturday, at 7pm.

Still recovering from the match against Vitória de Setúbal, but already with full focus on Benfica, José Peseiro led another session of work at the Sporting Academy, with Bas Dost - with a muscle problem in the right thigh - still to perform treatment, after having been substituted on the last match.

The good news of this mornings session was Abdoulay Diaby, the stiker who arrived from Club Brugge to make the lions even stronger. Also Miguel Luís and Bruno César, totally recovered and without limitations, fulfilling all the orders of José Peseiro, who is tuning the strategy for the derby.

This morning there was also a vote for the best World 11, promoted by FIFPro and FIFA, and the players of Sporting CP chose their favorites from the previous season. Also with respect to 17/18, Sebastián Coates received the prize of the Union of the Players for having integrated the team of the year and Bruno Fernandes received the distinction for being the best young player of the month of April.

Cristiano Piccini shares his first impressions of Sporting CP

Cristiano Piccini is one of the four new faces under Jorge Jesus' orders this season and he was out on the Sporting Academy training pitch for the first time this Monday. Speaking briefly with the Sporting Journal after the session, the Italian full back affirmed: "I really liked my first session with Jorge Jesus. I was really eager to meet him, because everyone talks a lot about him. It went well and I think I will learn a lot as player."

Cristiano Piccini went on to share his first thoughts on Lisbon and the rest of the squad: "I am really happy to be here. It was obvious as soon as I arrived that this is a massive club that has everything needed to win competitions. My girlfriend is Portuguese and is a Sporting CP fan, like the rest of her family, so they were really happy when I signed. Now I just have to put the work in. The players here are incredible, even the young players. There are even some more who are away with the national team right now. Our first objective is into the Champions League group stage, but of course we want to win the national league."

Jorge Jesus with squad of 21 players for first session out on the pitch

The senior squad were out on the training pitch at the Sporting Academy for the first time this pre-season on Monday morning. Jorge Jesus had a total of 21 players at his disposal, including the new faces Rodrigo Battaglia, André Pinto (who had already trained with the squad at the end of last season), Cristiano Piccini and Mattheus Oliveira.

Still away on international duty are Rui Patrício, Beto, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho, Gelson Martins, Daniel Podence, Francisco Geraldes and Iuri Medeiros.

Gelson Dala ready for action

On day two of the pre-season campaign, Gelson Dala is proving hungry to get straight into the action.

"We are still going through our medical exams, but I am really eager to get into training. I don't know everyone yet, but it has been great so far. We haven't had a lot of time to get to know each other, but you can see the team is feeling confident. The lads are really focused", said Dala.

João Palhinha on the coming campaign

"It is always nice to be back", said João Palhinha in a short conversation with the Sporting Journal this week after his pre-season medical.

Ready to get back to training after the end of season break, Palhinha affirmed: "I am looking forward to the pre-season and I want to be in the best shape possible when the season starts. Every year we look to win every competition we are in and the squad is ready. Everyone has a real drive to win and that will only grow with the work we will put in during pre-season."

Rodrigo Battaglia secures Alvalade move

Rodrigo Battaglia officially signed in at Alvalade this week, making the move to the capital from Sp. Braga. Despite interest from a wealth of club's the Argentinean didn't hesitate to pick Alvalade.

"I am really happy and thankful for the opportunity to represent Sporting CP. I will do my best for this club", affirmed Battaglia after penning the deal, adding: "I have been in Portugal for four years now and I have always thought Sporting CP was a massive club, but now I can see it is even better than I could ever imagine. I have played in Alvalade three times already and really felt the pressure from the fans. They push the players a lot and I can't wait to play here.

Mattheus Oliveira on his move to Alvalade

“I am really happy with this new challenge", said Mattheus Oliveira in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week, ahead of his first season in a Sporting CP shirt.

The former Estoril star is looking forward to getting down to work and proved fully aware of the pressure of playing in Alvalade: "Sporting CP is a gigantic club and this is a dream for me. I am really looking forward to starting training. I am excited about the chance to work with Jorge Jesus and I think his is one of the best coaches in the world. I am sure I will learn a lot with him. From what I have seen this is a really united squad and with hard work we will win a lot of titles. I have played in Alvalade for Estoril and the fans really get behind the team."

André Pinto breezes through pre-season medical

André Pinto was one of the first players called in for the usual pre-season medical exams. Proving to be in fine form, the central defender also took a moment to speak with the Sporting Journal: "A club like Sporting CP cannot accept anything but winning titles, both nationally and in Europe. We will go into every game looking to get the points. I am looking forward to the start of the season and hopefully everything will go well. This club lives for titles and I am here to contribute to that. I am looking forward to seeing Estádio José Alvalade packed out for us."

From 132 euros, including 25 matches from as little as 5.30€ per match

MY FIRST GAMEBOX
Product exclusively for members who have never had a Member Gamebox in the new Estádio José Alvalade. Sales start the 8th of July at the Official Club Store for Sector B5 (Central – Stand B) and are priced at 249€ (or 3 installments 83€).

TICKETS
Members who renew their Gamebox from last season by the 5th of July will receive 1 to 2 free tickets (2 for full payment or 1 for payment in installments). Tickets valid for Liga NOS 2017/2018, except for the following matches: SL Benfica, FC Porto and the first and last matches in Alvalade. Sporting Clube de Portugal reserves the right to suspend this campaign for other matches, or for members who have not fully paid for their Gamebox or membership fees. To take advantage of this offer, visit the stadium ticket offices during any ticket sale period.

CARDS
All cards for the 2017/2018 season are new issues and are a tribute to Fernando Peyroteo, who celebrates his centenary on the 10th of March 2018. All fans who renew their 2016/2017 Gamebox via the provided multibanco references will receive a new card via post at theri home address. Cards will be provided immediately to fans who renew at the Official Club Store.

DISCOUNTS
All children from the age of 3 (inclusive) to 11 (before the 31st of August 2017) can benefit from a special price of 90€ for any sector of Estádio José Alvalade. Additionally, youths (sub-23), women and seniors (over-65) can benefit from a 23% discount.

EASY PAYMENT
All Gameboxes can be paid in 3 interest-free payments. For renewals installments are due by the 5th of July, the 5th of August and the 5th of September. For new Gameboxes installments are due on the day of purchase and 30 and 60 days thereafter.

TRIBUTE
All Gamebox cards this season are printed as a tribute to Fernando Peyroteo to celebrate his centenary. The all time best goalscorer in Portuguese history spent months with the club, scoring 541 goals in 332 matches to forever record an unbeatable average of 1. gals per game.

INFORMATION
For any questions please call the Sporting Line 707 20 44 44 (workdays, from 10h to 20h) or visit the Official Sporting Store in Estádio José Alvalade (from 10h to 20h).

MATCHES INCLUDED
All 25 matches already expected in 2017/2018 are included: presentation match + Five Violins Trophy + 17 Liga NOS + Champions League Playoff + UEFA Group Stage (Champions League or Europa League) + 2 CTT Cup.

LIMIT(S)
Each club member can purchase one Gamebox. Multibanco references issued for renewals will expire at 23h59 on the 5th of July. Payment in installments is only available until the 30th of September 2017.

REDUCED MOBILITY
Wheelchair friendly places are located on the 2nd floor of the North Goal End Stand, with adapted toilet facilities also available. Member Gameboxes for fans with reduced mobility are priced as Gameboxes for Goal End Stand A, with one additional accompanying fan permitted.

NEW SALES
Tickets which were not sold last season will be available from the 21st of June to the 5th of July. All non-renewed tickets will go on sale on the 8th of July.

PRICES
A variety of prices are available for the 2017/2018 season, starting from 90€ and going to to 432€:

MEMBER FEES
Gameboxes are exclusively for Sporting Clube de Portugal members. While fees are not required to be paid up to date when purchasing a Gamebox, tickets are only valid when fees have been paid.

TRANSMISSION
If you can't make it to the match, then you can always borrow your Gamebox to a person in the same category.