12 June 2007, by Tom Kundert

Sporting boost squad with Brazilian capture

Coach Paulo Bento extends contract

Sporting have dipped into the transfer market to bring Brazilian central defender Gladstone to Alvalade on a season-long loan deal.

The 22-year-old will put pen to paper on the deal on Thursday in Lisbon subject to passing the medical.

The Lions will pay 250,000 euros to Cruzeiro for the loan, and should Sporting decide to buy the Brazilian international his price has been stipulated at 3.25 million euros. Benfica were close to signing Gladstone in the January transfer window, but opted to contract compatriot David Luiz instead.

Gladstone has been in good form for his club side Cruzeiro in 2007, earning a call-up to the Brazilian national team by new coach Dunga.

The player has dual Brazilian and Italian nationality and has already had spells in Europe on loan. He played for Verona and Juventus in 2005 and 2006 respectively, both times on loan.

Bento extends contract

In other club news, coach Paulo Bento has signed an extension to his contract that will keep him at Alvalade until the end of the 2008/09 season.

The former Portugal international took over from Jose Peseiro in October 2005, and should he see out his contract Bento will become one of Sporting’s longest serving coaches of all time.