Pedro Vieira signs pro deal, eyes “a very bright future” in blue and white | OneFootball

Pedro Vieira has signed a professional contract with FC Porto and will continue working to build “a very bright future” in blue and white. A native of Leiria, the left-footed centre-back, who has Pepe and Rolando as his “main role models,” took his first steps at União de Leiria before moving to Alcochete and representing Sporting for four seasons. After returning home, he was promoted to the junior team, helped the Leiria club earn promotion to the First Division, and then moved to Porto, where he has already made 14 appearances and scored two goals in his debut season for the leaders of the Under-17 Championship Qualification phase.

“Very happy” to be able to “learn from the best,” after a “difficult adaptation” to a new environment where he “didn’t know many people,” the 17-year-old defender expressed gratitude to the teammates who “welcomed” him warmly, said that living at Casa do Dragão has been “a good experience” because it allows him to “share knowledge with the younger ones,” and assured that he will “give everything to be happy.”

Football runs in the blood“My love for football was sparked by watching my older brother play at União de Leiria. I used to go there many times with my father to the stands to watch his training sessions, until one day I asked my father if I could give it a try. From then on, I started to enjoy playing football and I want to keep enjoying playing football.”

The first steps“I felt very happy because I was doing something I liked and at the club I also felt very welcomed by my teammates, many of whom were my schoolmates.”

The move to Lisbon“Adapting to the capital was difficult because I was still quite young, I was 13, and being away from my parents was hard because they had always given me a lot of support. I went in search of my dream, to do what I loved most.”

Self-portrait“My main qualities are intelligence, refined technique and, above all, the dedication I put into every training session and match.”

From front to back“When I started at União de Leiria I was a left winger, but I kept dropping deeper and deeper on the pitch until I became a centre-back.”

The examples to follow“My main role models are Pepe, a great centre-back who played for FC Porto, and also Rolando, who is my coach with the under-17s. He is a great coach and was a great footballer.”

The return to Leiria“It was important because I was playing in the age group above, and that gave me the ability to improve more and more and to learn how to deal with older players.”

A new adventure away from home“My first day was a happy one because I was representing a great club, but it was also difficult because I had once again left my parents in Leiria. I’m very happy to be here.”

The first months in Porto“The adaptation was difficult because it’s my first year here, I didn’t know many people, but now I’m calm. I was warmly welcomed by my teammates, I feel that I’m becoming more and more integrated into the group and that people like me. That’s the most important thing.”

Living at Casa do Dragão“It’s a good experience because I’m living with a group of athletes ranging from under-13 to under-17, which is my age group, and I can see what I once was, while also learning things from the younger ones, just as they learn from me. That’s really good.”

The most special memory“It was my first match for FC Porto against Sanjoanense, in which I scored two goals. It was a very happy moment for me, because I helped my team earn three points.”

Team spirit“I’m playful in the dressing room, but I’m also serious when I need to be. I like to motivate my teammates and help them when they need something.”

Future prospects“I foresee a very bright future, because I’m very happy here. Always learning from the best will bring me more and more positive experiences and make me a better player. I’ll give everything to be happy.”

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