PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 11 July 2012 09:18

All change for two Portuguese starlets

Real Betis unveil Salvador Agra; João Silva signs for Levski Sofia

Salvador AgraFormer Olhanense winger Salvador Agra was yesterday officially presented at Spanish club Real Betis. Another young Portuguese forward of whom much is hoped, João Silva, is also on the move, signing for Bulgarian club Levski Sofia.
 
The 20-year-old Agra has signed a contract for Betis until 2015. He will have Portugal international and former Benfica right-back Nélson for company at his new club.
 
Agra enjoyed a superb campaign for Olhanense last season, and has also been the stand-out player for Portugal’s Under-21 team in recent matches. Betis, who finished mid table in La Liga last season, completed the deal in January, but Agra makes the switch only now.
 
The Seville-based team paid just 200,000 euros for 90% ownership of the player (Olhanense retain a 10% stake), and given the way Agra performed last season, especially in the last six months, Betis appear to have landed a bargain.
 
“I promise to give my all for this club and score goals and make assists for my team-mates. I have no words to describe how well I have been received here. I hope to do good things,” said Agra, who played last season as an attacking wide midfielder or an out-and-out winger.

Judging by the man Agra is looking to emulate, the exciting talent is focusing on settling for the latter position. “My reference point is Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m going to try and follow his example, work day in, day out, so that I can play for Betis, which is the most important thing for me right now.”

 

João Silva on the move

João SilvaAnother long-term member of Portugal’s U21 squad, João Silva, has left Everton and signed a 3-year contract at Levski Sofia, in Bulgaria.
 
Silva, now 22, joined the Premier League club two years ago after impressing in his debut season in the Liga da Honra (Portuguese 2nd tier). His 14 goals in 30 matches made him the second top scorer in the league in 2009/10.
 
However, as PortuGOAL revealed last November, Silva failed to convince Everton he could do a job for them, despite some impressive displays over the past two years on loan at União de Leiria and Vitória Setúbal.
 
The burly striker will now try his luck in Eastern Europe.
 
Tom Kundert

Keep bang up to date with Portuguese football by following us on Twitter
 
Comments (6)
This is where the lack of qualities begins
6 Friday, 13 July 2012 19:21
porto and benfica now sporting are puting portuguese national team in a shumble with their foolishness so to say. they are bringing more players from other countries and portuguese players dont have place in their teams.

you will see it with your own eyes. is not my wish but this talents will be lost.
they are going to play in a mediocre teams and league. some wont even play,.if injury happens which i dont wish they normally abandon them and send them back to portugal.
Ugh
5 Thursday, 12 July 2012 15:07
Steve, Icahn only assume that great height and power aren't translating into good futebol for Joao Silva.
He played the first half of last seasons campaign at Setubal on loan, and he actually got LESS playing time as the season wore on at SETUBAL.
Not a good sign.
Joao Silva
4 Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:58
Hope he does well, if he was signed by levski then I assume it is for the first team and that he will hopefully get to see some action in European competition. He did not really get a good run at Everton but he seems to be a decent player nothing special but who knows with regular football and good guidence he could show more. He has great height and power for a Portuguese striker. Good luck to him
Strange piece of business by Olhanense management
3 Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:55
I'm trying to work out why Olhanense sold him for such a low price. They should have done what Braga done with Silvio and loaned him first. That way if he does well then they could have got way more money than 200,000 for him. They could have also sold him for free and added a higher percentage of next sales like closer to 30%. That way if he does turn heads in the la liga and gets sold to another club then they would get more than a poltry $200,000. Can anyone explain the sense in this? 200,000 would make up Cristiano's weekly wages
talents,talents and talents
2 Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:58
glad to see all these bright stars...agra,bruma,edgar ie,joao mario,carrico,betinho,cavaleiro,agostinho,andre martins,carlos teixeira...etc..but when will they play for the NT?at the age of 26?27?28?or 30?portugal must take their best from their best age. I sincerely believe some of these players should be on the bench for our WC qualifying matches for waiting their call.good luck portugal...
Wish well to both
1 Wednesday, 11 July 2012 13:58
Agra has really shown his wares quickly. I hope he continues his rise and excels.

I already mentioned Joao Silva on another post. He played at Setubal, on loan, for the 1st half of the season last campaign and actually got less playing time as it progressed.
Maybe this will help him revitalize his career.

Add your comment

Name/Country:
Subject:
Comment:
yvComment v.1.21.1