FC Porto president André Villas-Boas is thrilled to have signed Borja Sainz from Norwich City in August.
AS caught up with André Villas-Boas at the Portugal Football Summit and they wanted to discuss the Spanish players at Porto, including Sainz.
Last summer, Porto took part in the Club World Cup and were keen on having the winger for the US tournament. The president said it wasn’t easy to take him away from Norwich City.
Sainz arrived at the Championship club on a free transfer in 2023 and operated mainly on the left wing. He managed 27 goals and six assists from 82 matches for Norwich City of which 19 goals and four assists were from last season.
André Villas-Boas said the 24-year-old’s displays for the English club caught the Dragons’ attention. They secured him on a contract until 2030 and are said to have paid around £14.25m to Norwich City.
“He caught our attention in the Championship. It’s never been common for Portuguese clubs to buy in the Championship or the Premier League. We brought in Kiwior from Arsenal, but we usually can’t compete in the English market. And Borja was playing very well there for Norwich,” he said.
“So, we asked before the Club World Cup. It wasn’t easy, and we finalised the deal after the tournament. He’s a superb player.
“He represents Porto’s values. He fights for every goal, goes for every ball; he gets into the box; he makes runs into space. He’s a great footballer and a good person.”
Porto manager Francesco Farioli has used the former Norwich City player in his favoured role on the left wing. He’s scored two goals and registered two assists from 10 games so far.
