13 December 2005

Hélder Postiga completes St Etienne move

Saint-Etienne have contracted Hélder Postiga on loan until the end of the season.

The Portugal striker will report for duty at the French club on 27 December, and becomes the second player to leave Porto this week following the exit of Jorge Costa.

It is the 23-year-old’s second venture abroad, after spending a largely forgettable year at Tottenham Hotspur.

Postiga admitted that he was sad to be leaving Porto, where he came up through the youth ranks during a twelve-year association.

“I’m very sad, because twelve years isn’t the same thing as twelve days. But now I only want to think of Saint-Etienne,” he said.

World Cup ambition

“I’ve come here because it was the club that showed the most interest, which is a key factor, but the most important thing was to be able to start playing again, because my aim is to go to the World Cup.”

Postiga revealed that he had sought the advice of compatriot Tiago, who plays in the French League for runaway leaders Lyon.

The striker didn’t take much convincing that it was a good club to pursue his career at. “Yesterday I saw the match against Lyon and they played well, drawing 0-0. The club has a fantastic atmosphere in its stadium. I played there three years ago in a pre-season friendly for Porto and I remember the wonderful atmosphere created by the crowd.”

Saint-Etienne have written a clause into the deal giving the club first option to make the move permanent at the end of the season, should it suit all parties.