Everton goalkeeper João Virgínia was finally presented at Sporting, where he’s spending the rest of the season on a loan spell.
The Portuguese press has been taking the signing with excitement, and today we can see a few stories about his arrival at the Lions.
Newspaper Record features the goalkeeper’s quotes at his presentation at the club, where he claims to be glad about the move.
“I knew and wanted to come right away. I was very happy with Sporting’s interest,” said Virgínia (via Record).
“The squad is young and has more experienced athletes. We’re pushing each other… There’s competitiveness in the group and, as each one wants to play, that’s perfect.”
Meanwhile, newspaper A Bola managed to feature an interview with manager Marco Silva. Now at Fulham, the coach had worked with the goalkeeper back in his time at Everton.
The former Toffees boss talked about the 21-year-old’s quality, even though the player couldn’t make his debut while the Portuguese coach had been in charge of the club.
“João is a goalkeeper who, during my time at Everton, showed maturity and a lot of work capacity from the first day he arrived,” Silva told A Bola.
“He has the potential to evolve further and will certainly be able to make his way because he likes to listen and learn. He has good characteristics for today’s football. He’s tough on crosses, agile too, and has a good presence in goal. He’s a goalkeeper who likes to communicate with the team, to be in the game. Going to Sporting is an important step for him and for his development.”
Virgínia had three appearances for Everton, all of them last season. Now in case he gets to prove himself at Sporting, the Lions can trigger a buying option and sign him permanently on a €3.5m deal.
