Left back comes in for remainder of 2020/21 campaign

On a busy Tuesday of transfer activity for Sporting CP, Matheus Reis joined the club before the close of the winter window, on a loan deal from Rio Ave until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old Brazilian can play either at left back or on the left of a three-man defence, and adds further depth to a squad currently top of the Liga NOS table.

"This is a dream come true. I already knew how big the club is, but getting here and seeing everything, from the structure to the staff, is incredible," he said at his presentation.

"This club always deserves the best. They deserve to win and to achieve everything they want. I am very happy, as are my family and those back in Brazil. My son already has his Sporting CP shirt!" he told the media.

Reis explained that he went through "many difficulties" to get to Sporting CP. 

"I am ready to achieve my objectives and also to face the difficulties that will appear along the way. I know that at a big club there is always a lot of competition, and I'm ready to fight for my place."

"I am already playing in the Portuguese league, so I know how it works. It is new for me to be at a big club, but I have been at large teams and I know what it means to have pressure and responsibility on your shoulders, so I come here fully prepared and motivated for this challenge," commented the Brazilian, who will be reunited with friend Nuno Santos -a former teammate at Rio Ave.

"I'm very happy to be playing with him again. We were successful together. When Sporting CP's interest in me first came about, they asked him about me. We have always spoken with one another, and he asked me to come here. He said that the structure was very good, that he would like it a lot and that he could help me."

"I am very used to the setup Sporting CP use. Last year I played in this formation all season. I'm a defender who was quite offensive, but when playing in this line of three I have evolved the defensive side of my game a lot. I have good passing and a lot of technique. I believe that being adapted to the system already means I can help even more."
Finally, Matheus Reis said that "I will give everything I have on the pitch. I will fight tooth and nail for the club's goals and to help the team. We have ambitious players, as well as an ambitious coach, and I am another 'Lion' full of ambition to achieve our objectives."

A product of São Paulo FC, one of the giants of Brazilian football, Matheus Reis played for the club's first team and was also loaned out to CA Sorocaba and EC Bahia. In 2017/2018, he arrived in Portugal thanks to a loan to Moreirense FC, before signing permanently for Rio Ave FC the following season.
After 27 games for the side from Vila do Conde in 2018/2019 (23 as a starter), he played 37 games last term -scoring one goal.