FC Porto announce Cardoso Varela as new signing | OneFootball

There is no longer any doubt: Cardoso Varela is an FC Porto player. The blue-and-white club officially announced the signing of the 17-year-old young Portuguese international this Monday. In an initial phase, the winger will represent the Dragons’ B team during the 2026/27 season.

The player arrives from Dinamo Zagreb on a free transfer. Even so, the Croatian club will retain “the right to 50% of a potential future transfer of the player, with FC Porto able to reduce that percentage to 25% if it activates a purchase option worth 2 million euros”.

Cardoso Varela signed a contract valid for three seasons, until June 30, 2029, which includes a release clause set at 50 million euros.

The Portugal under-17 international was part of the squad that reached the final of the European Championship in 2024, eventually losing to Italy. During that run, he stood out as one of the most exciting elements of the team’s attack. Last season, he continued his development at Dinamo Zagreb, where he made 25 appearances for the first team, scored two goals and made his debut in European competitions through the Europa League.

The return therefore represents the fulfillment of something long awaited by André Villas-Boas, who always opposed the player’s departure from FC Porto. Cardoso Varela had arrived at the club in 2022/23, at the age of 14, to join the under-15s, immediately showing promise: in 24 matches wearing the Dragons shirt, he scored 10 goals and provided six assists.

“FC Porto has signed Cardoso Varela to a contract valid for three sporting seasons, until June 30, 2029. The transfer of the young Portuguese international forward does not involve the payment of any fee.

GNK Dinamo Zagreb will be entitled to 50% of a potential future transfer of the player, with FC Porto able to reduce that percentage to 25% if it activates a purchase option worth 2 million euros.

The contract between Cardoso Varela and FC Porto includes a release clause in the amount of 50 million euros.

GNK Dinamo Zagreb will assume responsibility for the solidarity mechanism owed to third parties, and FC Porto declares that it will bear no costs related to intermediary services.”

Cardoso Varela is presented in the FC Porto shirt

“I had missed it a lot already and I’m very happy to be back home. I was always made very welcome by the board and the staff at Casa do Dragão. I feel at home and I want to keep giving my best here,” he began by saying in comments to the club’s media.

“It was always my dream to return. Something happened that should not have happened, but now I am focused on working for FC Porto. I have already spoken with the president and it was a very good conversation for me, it helped me a lot,” he added.

“I’m returning with the goal of helping the B team, reaching the first-team squad and representing FC Porto in the best possible way. I’m very eager to work. I just want to tell the fans that they will see the best version of Cardoso Varela,” concluded the young winger.

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