17 July 2007, by Tom Kundert

Manuel Machado demands replacement for departing Teixeira

Academica boss loses creative inspiration in midfield

Filipe Teixeira has left Academica for historical English club West Bromwich Albion, currently playing in the Football League Championship – the second tier of English Football.

The West Midlands club paid the rescission clause of 750 000 euros for the Portuguese midfield star.

The transfer has led Academica boss Manuel Machado to insist that a suitable replacement must be found for arguably the Coimbra club’s best performer over the past couple of seasons.

Teixeira was thought to be reluctant to accept the move to start with as he did not want to play outside the top flight in any country.

However, WBA sent representatives to Portugal who were able to persuade the former Portugal U-21 player to sign for the club who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership last season.