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Friday, 29 January 2010 14:43

Sporting swoop for Pedro Mendes

Champions League winner returns to Portugal

Pedro MendesPortugal midfielder Pedro Mendes will sign for Sporting pending the routine medical which is to take place tomorrow. The Glasgow Rangers player is to put pen to paper on a two and a half year deal.
 
The 30-year-old becomes Sporting’s third major signing this winter transfer window, following the purchase of defender Joao Pereira and forward Florent Sinama-Pongolle.
 
Mendes has recently got back into the reckoning for Portugal’s World Cup squad. He impressed in the final two group matches of the Seleccao’s qualifying campaign for South Africa.
 
Rangers’ manager Walter Smith admitted Mendes’ desire to get on the plane for South Africa was a key factor behind the transfer. “From Pedro’s point of view, he wants to make a push for the World Cup and it’s an area where we have good cover. While it doesn’t suit us to lose another player, we appreciate his circumstances,” said Smith.
 
Mendes began his career at hometown club Vitoria de Guimaraes, before joining Jose Mourinho’s all-conquering FC Porto where he lifted the Champions League in 2004.
 
He then moved abroad, playing for Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth in the Premier League before making the switch to Scotland.
 
by Tom Kundert
 
Comments (8)
Pedro Mendes
8 Sunday, 07 March 2010 20:41
Matt England
Pedro has made a good choice as the SPL is very weak at the moment. Most of the teams would struggle in the second flight of English football. Perhaps the old firm teams would do okay in the EPL but definetly not the rest.
Quality move!
7 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 18:11
Michael/Toronto
This is one of the best moves of the season for any team in the Liga. I'm glad he's a Lion now, I feel better knowing he's anchoring the midfield with his heart and experience.
Fantastic Move
6 Friday, 29 January 2010 21:54
Johnieoooooooo
This guy is one of my favourite players. He has the heart & spirit of a warrior, a player who leads by example, he brings his lunch pale to work and and doesnt cry, sulk & complain when things dont go well. He doesnt play with pizzaz or showboat, but he is the by far the best in Portugal in the holding MF position. No Pepe at the world cup...who cares, PM is a better players, just doesnt get the recognition he deserves. Everywhere he goes, the fans love him
Arrival
5 Friday, 29 January 2010 21:12
Jason
Veloso will most likely see more time at LB with the arrival of Pedro
Where will Mendes play?
4 Friday, 29 January 2010 18:36
Carlos - Acores
Sure, it's a good move by Sporting because Pedro Mendes is a world class player. But I wonder where he will fit in the starting XI? Mendes is primarly a defensive midfielder, much like Miguel Veloso. What the Lions really need right now is a pacey winger to provide support to Liedson. And Quaresma continues to ride the bench at Inter.
pedro
3 Friday, 29 January 2010 16:56
robbie/ Scotland
Good luck to you and your new club Pedro . We Rangers fans will never forget you . Just sorry you couldnt stay longer.
Good luck in the World cup.
Thanks Pedro,
Robbie
Good buy..
2 Friday, 29 January 2010 15:36
Miggy
Good move indeed by Sporting. Also, this way he will along with Moutinho/Veloso/Liedson thus helping out the national squad play together in the long haul.
Pedro Mendes
1 Friday, 29 January 2010 15:13
Miguel - Madrid
Good move by Sporting. I loved this player when played on Mourinho's Porto. Luck for him and hope see him on World Cup!

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