31 May 2007, by Tom Kundert

Yannick Djalo: “Nani will be badly missed at Sporting”

Striker wishes former team-mate every success in England

Nani and Yannick Djalo (pictured) have been inseparable friends ever since they embarked on their football careers together at Massama, the small club from the Lisbon suburbs.

Both players enjoyed a meteoric rise that saw them recruited by Sporting’s youth team, where they won a national championship, before breaking into the senior team while still in their teens.

The sight of the two effusively celebrating each other’s goals, along with fellow young star Miguel Veloso, has been a common occurrence at Sporting in the season just ended.

Djalo spoke of his delight at Nani’s multi-million euro move to Manchester United, while admitting that the winger will be badly missed by Sporting.

“I’m really happy for him. Nani deserves everything that is happening to him and is a fantastic player. The fact that he has the chance to join a club of the dimension of Manchester United is a motive of pride and happiness for players like me or Miguel Veloso.”

“Of course Sporting are going to miss him a lot. We can’t deny that. He’s a great player and all good players are missed by any team.”

“But I believe he will evolve even more and grow in the future. We’ll all be cheering him on and are happy for the success he has achieved.”

Ronaldo delight at double capture

Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo was also quick to welcome two more Portuguese speakers to the Old Trafford club.

“I’m really happy that I will have Nani and Anderson as team-mates,” Ronaldo told A Bola. “They will be very welcome at Manchester United!”

“I can only say that Manchester United will be stronger because they have contracted two great players,” added the Portugal winger, currently enjoying a well-earned holiday after a sensational season for the Red Devils.

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