Adrien reflects on season so far and the importance of the Alvalade youth system

Sporting skipper Adrien Silva gave shared an extensive interview this week, talking about the Alvalade youth system, as well as what has been a fantastic season so far for the talismanic captain.

The Sporting midfielder proved particularly proud of a recent study released by the Portuguese Football Federation on call-ups to the national under-15 to under-19, under-20 and under-20 squads, which put Sporting ahead of the rest of the pack: "Sporting always has been one of the best youth systems in the world and the study is fair recognition of the work being doing at the Academy. In my case, I arrived there when I was 12 and I went through the whole youth system at the club, so you I can say I learnt to become a man and a player here. I am really happy with the study. I have been in teams that have won national championships at under-15 up to under-19 and then I made by debut for the senior team when I was 18. It was also really important to spend time away, where I picked up experience and I am a better player today because of it. All I am missing is winning the senior title, after the Portuguese Cup and Super Cup."

In relation to the season so far, Adrien affirmed his side's confidence in turning in another win after a battling victory against Académica: “Rio Ave are one of the good sides in our league and that is why they are towards the top end of the table. They play some good football and they don't just look to defend. If that will make it easier for us, well I don't think you can look at it like that. Sporting always goes for the win against whoever we are playing against and it is down to us to put into practice what we have been doing during the week."

The Sporting number 23 also went on to highlight the importance of the fans this year in Sporting's title charge: “Both at home and away, the fans have been with us and they were again against Académica. They were crucial for us turning the game around. We let a goal in early, but we felt the fans with us and that is really important for us to carry on taking each game as it comes and to win the title. We are up there fighting for it! It is us that got us where we are now, in a fight that was only between two teams until last year!"

Interview with Sporting's Uruguayan international

Ever wondered what is going through a player's head when penning a deal with a new club? Well in the case of Sebastián Coates, it was the new kit he was about to put on. "It is really beautiful. It is a really nice colour", said the Uruguayan international.

Standing a towering 1.96m, Sebastián Coates will wear number 13. "Sporting is a club with a lot of history. It is one of the big clubs in Portugal and I am really happy. I will work and do the best I can", affirmed the centre-back in his first interview in Alvalade, having arrived on loan from Sunderland. “I have been playing in Europe for some years now and I am a player that likes to win, that is the main thing about me. I give everything I have got in every training session and match. I work hard, which is the most important thing, and I will give everything I can on the pitch for Sporting. I know the coach and I know his work. Sporting are really strong, we are in first in the league and we are in Europe, which is also important", finished the defensive giant.

Tobias, Jefferson, Naldo and William

Sporting's Medical Department has released the following clinical update on the first team:

Tobias: specialised training

Jefferson: muscle injury in the right calf - in treatment

Naldo: muscle injury in the right thigh - in treatment

William: trauma to the left foot - in treatment

André Carrillo

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has officially been informed by Benfica of the signing of a sports employment contract with the athlete André Carrillo, from 01/07/2016 to 30/06/2021.

Junya Tanaka leaves message for the fans before heading for Japan

Heading off for Japan, where he will represent Kashiwa Reysol on loan until July 2017, Junya Tanaka left a message for his fans for their support, revealing that he will miss the country that welcomed him for what was his first experience abroad.

“I will miss it a lot. I really like Portugal, the climate and the food. The Sporting fans sang for me and that made me feel really happy, but I want to play more and here it is difficult right now. I have to play. In the last six months I haven't played a lot and I need to recover in Japan, where I won everything. I am better and faster. In Japan, the game is slower. Here, it is really quick and strong and I have to adapt. Jorge Jesus is a good coach, the team is bigger and better and defending well, which is the most important thing. We defend really well and we know how to attack."

Junya Tanaka went on to remember his goal against Braga, which for him was the finest strike of his career: "It was my best goal. It gave me a lot of motivation and spirit to do more. I like using the Sporting shirt and I will miss this. It will stay in my hear forever."

The Japanese forward parted with a work of thanks for the fans: "Sporting had to be champion this year. The fans want it and they will go with me in my heart. I really liked it when they shouted ‘Tanaka, Tanaka’. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

Transfer of Fredy Montero to Tianjin Teda

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD has reached an agreement with Tianjin Teda for the transfer of Fredy Montero for a fee of €5,000,000.00, with Sporting SAD maintaining 20% of the athlete's economic rights.

Sporting SAD wishes Montero the best of personal and professional success.

Alvalade new recruits already given squad numbers

The latest Alvalade reinforcements have already been given their shirt numbers.

The Uruguayan international Sebastián Coates will wear 13.

The Argentinean international Hernán Barcos will use number 29.

Labyad loan to Fulham

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD has reached an agreement with Fulham FC for the loan of Zakaria Labyad until the end of the current season, with an option to extend the loan for an additional season.

Sporting SAD wishes Labyad the best of personal and professional success.

Junya Tanaka loan to Kashiwa Reysol

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD has reached an agreement with Kashiwa Reysol for the loan of the player Junya Tanaka until July 2017, with an option to purchase the player.

Sporting SAD wishes Tanaka the best of personal and professional sucess.

Hernán Barcos

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD has reached an agreement with Tianjin Teda for the transfer of the player Hernán Barcos on a contract for one and a half seasons, with an additional two optional seasons and a buy-out clause of €60,000,000.00.

Sporting SAD wishes Hernán Barcos the best of professional and personal success.