João Pereira eager to get the new champaign underway

The pre-season campaign is normally a tough spell for any player after a long break, but not for João Pereira, with the wingback in great shape and eager to get the action underway.

“I was missing this, missing being with the lads for breakfast, for lunch...it is something you get used to and you miss it during the holidays. Thank fully the new season is starting", said the defender after his medial exam this week, adding: "We want to be champions and we will play in every competition to win."

2016/17 campaign gets underway with the usual trip to the medical room

The pre-season officially got underway this week for Sporting CP, but neither a pitch or a ball were anywhere to be seen.

A group of players back from the summer break were at the Alvalade and Infante Santo CUF Clinics with the club's official health partner, to undergo their standard pre-season checks.

João Pereira, Marvin Zeegelaar, Tobias Figueiredo, André Geraldes, Bruno César and Iuri Medeiros were the first to take the physical tests, followed by Coates, Barcos, Matheus Pereira and the brothers Alan and Federico Ruiz.

Paulo Oliveira, Rúben Semedo, Schelotto, Jefferson, João Palhinha and goalkeeper Azbe Jug joined the group in the afternoon, along with Carlos Mané, Bruno Paulista, Ricardo Esgaio, Naldo and Spalvis.

Alvalade president confident ahead of the coming season

Sporting will be more motivated than ever for the coming season's title race. That was the guarantee given by president Bruno de Cavalho in an interview with the newspaper Expresso this week, setting out his vision of Sporting as the favourites to claim silverware next season.

“We are a very serious contender for the title. We showed this year that people had underestimated us. We were very consistent. In six matches against the big clubs we won five", affirmed the Alvalade president, before settling any nerves about activity in the summer transfer market: "We don't need to sell out key players. We are complying with the financial fair-play rules and we are in positive territory right now, which can support an increase in the cost of the squad."

Asked about his relationship with the agent Jorge Mendes, the Sporting president was preemptive: "I have no interest in seeing a player sold for 300 million euros but only 3 million actually comes to Sporting. I hear people talking about millions and millions and millions, that 500 billion euros have passed through his hands. Well good for him. People think I am arrogant, but I am 100% humble about the whole thing and I hate this stupidity. When people are being stupid, then of course I am arrogant. I will put up with the worst person in the world for 100 years, 24 hours a day, if they are useful for Sporting."

Sara Granja, Tânia Rodrigues and Nadine Cordeiro all pen deals

A total of 12 ladies have already put pen to paper and signed for Sporting's female football team, after the sport made its return to the club after 21 years.

The ladies far announced are: Solange Carvalhas, Fátima Pinto, Diana Silva, Patrícia Morais, Matilde Figueiras, Ana Capeta, Ana Rita Viegas, Bárbara Marques and Bruna Costa, along with the signings of Sara Granja, Tânia Rodrigues and Nadine Cordeiro this Friday.

Sara Granja, 26, arrived in Alvalade after spells with Albergaria Mazel, Valadares and UMF Afturelding. “Sporting Clube de Portugal scares a lot of people. We will be looking to win the league, the cup and to reach the champions league", said Granja in an interview with the Sporting Journal.

A 17-year old striker, Tânia Rodrigues proved overjoyed with the chance to represent Sporting: "Our objective is to win the league. I would the opportunity to play for the national team."

Nadine Cordeiro is a 19-year old midfielder and already has caps for the national under-16, under-17 and under-19 teams.

Schelotto back from Argentina and ready to dive straight into training

The holiday season is already over for Ezequiel Schelotto, but the Italian-Argentinean couldn't be happier to return to Alvalade.

"All I was thinking about was coming back to Portugal and I can't wait to get into training with the team", affirmed the defender, continuing: "As of Monday, the coming season will be the only thing that matters. I am really looking forward to carrying on with the club and to putting a smile on the fans faces."

Schelotto has already found a special place in the Sporting faithfuls' hearts and he is looking to carry on in the coming campaign: "The fans are always with us. I received a lot of messages during my holidays asking me to carry on here. I always reply, because the fans are part of this project."

L'Équipe highlights Alvalade's contribution to the nation's Euro 2016 campaign

Not even Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or for that matter any other club in Europe has as many players representing the respective national team as Sporting does.

This dominance is of course reflection of the quality of the Sporting Academy, highlighted in an article published by L'Équipe this week.

In the 0-0 draw against Austria, coach Fernando Santos included no fewer than six players who learnt their trade at Alvalade: Rui Patrício in goal, William Carvalho and João Moutinho holding down the midfield and Ronaldo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma leading the attack.

Also on the bench was Sporting products Adrien Silva, Cédric, João Mário and José Fonte.

Only Barcelona comes close, having provided a total of five of the players for the Spanish national team's 2-1 loss against Croatia.

Ana Rita Viegas, Ana Capeta and Matilde Figueiras sign in at Alvalade

Another three players have penned deals with Sporting for the club's new female football side, following the arrival of Solange Carvalhas, Fátima Pinto, Diana Silva and Patrícia Morais.

Ana Rita Viegas plays as a midfielder and comes in from Estoril-Praia. "It is a a big responsibility to play for Sporting, it is a dream come true", said the 25-year old.

Ana Capeta is 18, but has long been playing the sport she loves. Although still young, she has already notched up experience with CB Castro Verde, Atl. Ouriense, Clube Atlético and Cultural da Pontinha. “To put on this shirt and to be part of such a quality squad is real honour for me", said Capeta.

Matilde Figueiras spent thirteen years with A-dos-Francos, but is now in Lisbon in search of silverware. "I am a tough player and I don't give up", commented the 20-year old centreback.

International shotstopper agrees deal

Sporting's female football team has added yet another heavy weight to their armoury, this time bringing the Portuguese international goalkeeper Patrícia Morais.

Joining Sporting after two years in France with FF Yzeure and ASPTT Albi, Morais is eager to get underway. "I played as a forward before I had a go in goal in a friendly game against USA", revealed the new signing.

Petrovic on his four-year deal at Alvalade

Speaking after penning a deal that will see him play in Alvalade for the coming four seasons, Radosav Petrovic proved happy with the opportunity to represent a side that he alraedy knew well.

“I know that this club is at a really high level and is looking to win trophies and to play in the Champions League. I know some players from here, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Figo, Nani and Peter Schmeichel, as well as some of the lads from the squad, like Slimani, Aquilani, Bryan Ruiz, Rui Patrício and William Carvalho", said the 27-year old Serbian arriving from Dynamo Kiev, adding: "When I decided to come here I didn't even need to speak with Miguel Veloso or anyone from the Serbian team. When the president invited me I really didn't need to think much about it. Of course I had spoken to Miguel (Veloso) about a lot of things during the season, including Sporting, but it was an easy decision. This is a club where I think I can show my quality."

“I prefer to show my qualities on the pitch than to just talk about them", finished Patrovic.

Serbian signs for four seasons

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD, has reached an agreement with the player Radosav Petrovic for four seasons, with an additional season and a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Radosav Petrovic the best of professional and personal success.