New contract agreed for 17-year-old midfielder

Sporting Clube de Portugal and Dário Essugo have agreed terms on an extension to the player's contract, through to 2025 with a buyout clause of 45 million euros.

The 17-year-old midfielder expressed his satisfaction with the confidence shown in him by the club since he arrived in 2014.

“I'm very happy to have renewed my contract. I have always been working towards this and it's like a Christmas present for me. I'm very happy," he said at the official presentation of the renewal.

"I will continue to work with my feet firmly on the ground, because I know I want to achieve many things here. It's all about focusing on the day-to-day work, because everything will happen naturally that way."

The Portuguese Under-20 international, who has played five matches this season and last year became the youngest player ever to make his debut for Sporting CP, aged just 16 years and 6 days, reflected on his time at the club so far.

“I've had a lot of good times here already. It was easy for me to join the first team, because my teammates help me and, in addition, all the young players who come to train for the first team are very well received. This is very important. The coach believes in youth a lot. I will work to earn his trust.”

“Professional football is faster, and we also have to take into account that it's more physical, but you get used to it. Winning Liga Portugal in 2020/2021 is something I will never forget. It will stay in my memory forever because it was a dream come true. I still get goosebumps thinking about that moment."

He also had words for the supporters, saying that "They are spectacular. I can really feel their support and that's the most important thing, because they're always with us. We are relying on their support for what remains of this year and for the next."