28 July 2006, by Marco Pereira

Academica bring in Porto duo and African striker

Coimbra club keep up recruitment drive

Academica’s impressive list of summer signings continues to grow as the club have secured FC Porto products, Helder Barbosa and Ivanildo, on loan, as well as contracting Ghanaian striker William Tiero. The signings were confirmed by Academica’s head coach Manuel Machado.

“I can count on them next Monday, at least that was what was indicated to me by the board of directors.”

The loan deals are part of Porto’s obligations in the deal that saw Lino go the other way. This will be Barbosa’s second consecutive loan spell with the Students, while Ivanildo trades the Uniao de Leiria jersey he wore last season, also on loan, in exchange for the Coimbra club.

African marksman Tiero arrives on a free transfer and will fill the void left by the departures of Joeano and Dame. The club are trying to sign one more striker before training camp opens, with Japanese front man Kenji Fukuda from Spanish second division club, Numancia, rumoured to be the target.