17 January 2007, by Marco Pereira

Mystery incident leads to departure for Braga’s Hugo Leal

Leal and Marcel out, Andrade in

Braga and Hugo Leal have reached and amicable agreement to part ways with immediate effect. The club has issued a statement on their web site making the termination official.

The writing had been on the wall since the player fell out with coach Rogerio Goncalves before the game against Nacional on Saturday.

It is still not known exactly what transpired, but the talented midfielder did not even sit on the substitutes’ bench for the match. Furthermore, back in Braga Leal was then instructed to train aside from his team-mates.

Leal is the second player to leave the Northerners during the transfer period as striker Marcel returned to his native Brazil to play for Flamengo.

A new face for the UEFA Cup participants is ex-Vasco da Gama midfielder, Andrade. The Brazilian was all smiles at the press conference organised by the club to officially present the player.

“It’s an honour to represent the colours of Braga. It’s a club I have accompanied through television and the Internet. I opted for Braga because of their structure, a serious president and everything is up to date.”

“I did not come to a middle of the road team in Portugal, but to a big club who fight to be in the Champions League or UEFA Cup.”