The Brazilian striker joins on a five-year contract

Sporting CP have signed striker Bruno Tabata from Portimonense SC on a five-year contract, with a buyout clause of 60 million euros. The Brazilian put pen to paper on the deal on Tuesday, and will join up with his new teammates shortly.

“This is the happiest day of my life. I am making one of my biggest dreams come true, which was to sign for a giant of European football”, Tabata told the club’s official media.

Brought through the ranks at Clube Atlético Mineiro in his homeland, the forward arrived in Europe in 2005/16 and has become an Under-23 international for Brazil.

“Sporting CP are a huge club; not only in Portugal, but also in Europe. This is a very big step up in my career. I am leaving behind a team that gave me everything and that opened the doors to Europe for me, and I do so to show my worth at a big European club. I hope I am ready”, he added.

“Whenever I’ve played against Sporting CP, I’ve felt that I was playing against a great team and that I had to be prepared, because I was up against fantastic players. Now I hope that whoever faces us will feel the same way about me”.

Tabata will be reunited with fellow countryman Wendel, who will help him in making a quick adaptation to the club.

“Wendel is a friend. We were roommates whenever we were together in the Brazilian national team and I believe that it will be an asset for me to have him here at the club”, he stated.

“I already know how great this club are, and the responsibility that comes with wearing the shirt. No Sporting CP player can aspire to anything less than trophies and the most wins possible. That is what Sportinguistas can expect from me. I can play on both wings or in the middle -I have no preference. I’m prepared to play wherever the coach wants and what I hope is that, together with my teammates, I give the fans reason to be happy”.