FC Porto unveil 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% should it trigger a purchase option worth 2 million euros”.

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

The Portuguese under-17 international was part of the national team that reached the final of the European Championship in 2024, ultimately losing to Italy. During that run, he stood out as one of the most daring players in the attack of the team of the Quinas. Last season, he continued his development at Dinamo Zagreb, where he played 25 matches for the first team, scored two goals and made his debut in European competitions through the Europa League.

The return therefore represents a long-awaited outcome for 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 promising signs: 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 30 June 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% should it trigger 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 unveiled in the FC Porto shirt

“I had really missed this and I’m very happy to be back home. I was always very well received by the management 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 statements to the club’s media channels.

“It was always my dream to return. Something happened that should never have happened, but now I am focused on working for FC Porto. I have already spoken to the president and it was a very good conversation for me, it helped me a lot,” he added.

“I’m coming back with the aim 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.