Official! Centre-back leaves Sporting permanently for Serbia | OneFootball

Official! Rafael Pontelo has left Sporting permanently and has been announced as a new signing for Radnik Surdulica through social media. The 23-year-old Brazilian centre-back has signed a contract with the Serbian club until the summer of 2029.

Although the player was under contract with the green and whites until 2028, Sporting’s SAD agreed to release him, while retaining a percentage of his economic rights. With no room in the first-team squad, the Brazilian was successively loaned out to Pafos in Cyprus, Auda in Latvia, and Farense, whom he represented during the second half of last season.

Pontelo arrived at Alvalade in January 2024 from Leixões in a €700,000 deal, but had few opportunities in the first team. The centre-back made just two official appearances for the Lions, both under Ruben Amorim.

Although he was protected by a €45 million release clause, Rafael Pontelo has now brought his spell at Sporting to an end. The Lions still retain the possibility of benefiting financially from any future transfer involving the defender.

With a contract valid until June 2028, Rafael Pontelo was part of the group of surplus players Rui Borges did not intend to include in the squad for 2026/27. The move to Radnik Surdulica allows Sporting to resolve another pending issue in this summer transfer window.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.