Official! Athlete signs for Sporting, João Simões is my role model | OneFootball

Sporting have signed Duarte Tomás to a professional contract, a 17-year-old winger who has been standing out in the club’s academy. The player has already featured in several youth competitions such as the UEFA Youth League and now sees his progress recognized. The official announcement represents an important step in the athlete’s development within the club’s structure.

Speaking to Sporting’s official media, Duarte Tomás pointed to João Simões as his main reference in the first team. “My role model from the first team is João Simões, because he came through the academy and I look at him as a reference, because he earned his place in the team,” he said.

Despite signing his professional contract, Duarte Tomás - Sandro Ferreira’s teammate - remained cautious and focused on the daily work. “I feel very happy and proud, it is a very important step, but I know there is still a lot of work ahead,” he admitted, without getting carried away.

Duarte Tomás’s journey began at the age of 9 at the Coimbra Pole, where he stayed until he was 12 before moving to Lisbon. Since then, he has progressed through Sporting’s youth ranks, making appearances in the UEFA Youth League, Liga Revelação and also at under-19 level. That steady progress has now led to the signing of his first professional contract.

Among the goals he set for himself, Duarte Tomás highlighted making his debut for the first team and securing a place in the squad, he revealed.

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