The fullback signs for his third spell at the club

João Pereira is back at Sporting Clube de Portugal, as another winter reinforcement for the Liga NOS leaders. The 36-year-old comes in as a free agent after his contract with Trabzonspor was terminated, and is beginning his third spell at the club.

The experienced right-back, a former Sporting CP captain who also boasts 40 caps for Portugal, has signed a contract through to the end of the current season.

"I am very happy to represent this great club for the third time. I feel the same desire and I have the same motivation as when I signed for the first time," he told the media at his presentation.

"I want to help Sporting CP on and off the pitch. I know the people who work at the club very well, and many from my first spell are still here," he continued.

"I have always been treated very well here and I feel like this is a family."

Pereira trained with his new teammates on Wednesday, and believes that his adaptation will be quick.

"It's easier to adapt, but I have also followed Sporting CP and I know more or less how they play. However, it is always important to already know some colleagues and the coach," he explained. The fullback has previously played with the likes of Sebastián Coates, João Mário and coach Rubén Amorim.

Pereira has unfinished business at the club, having played a total of 149 games for them.

"150 is a round number and an important achievement, but it is not an obsession. When it has to happen, it will happen. I urge the fans to continue to support the team, because together we are much stronger."

João Pereira joined Sporting CP for the first time in the 2009/2010 winter transfer market, from SC Braga. After more than 100 games, spread over two and a half seasons, he headed to the Spanish league with Valencia CF. This was followed by a spell at Hannover 96 in Germany, and in 2015 he returned to Portugal and Sporting CP -where he won the Super Taça. In January of 2017 he took on a new challenge at Turkish side Trabzonspor, and now comes back to his homeland.