The highly rated fullback joins Os Leões through to 2028

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed right back Iván Fresneda from Real Valladolid through until 2028, with an €80 million release clause. The 18-year-old Spaniard is one of the most highly rated talents in Europe in his position, and comes to Lisbon keen to show his capabilities.

“It is a source of tremendous pride for me to be able to represent this great club and wear this shirt. I am very excited about this new stage of my career and I want to enjoy it to the fullest," he said at his official presentation on Wednesday.

Fresneda has already got to work, training with the squad immediately following his signing.

“I felt very good. My teammates welcomed me very well, I was able to talk to all of them, they were very kind to me," he explained, before revealing that he had consulted Pedro Porro, a former Sporting CP player, about the club.

“I spoke with Pedro and he gave me a lot of good information. He told me about the time he spent here, what he enjoyed, what people transmitted to him... and for me it was a step towards making the decision to come to this great club."

Coach Rúben Amorim was also an important factor in Fresneda joining Sporting CP.

“I spoke with him and he also conveyed a lot of confidence, explaining what he wants to see from us. My first feeling of being with him was also very good. That was another reason for me choosing to come to Sporting CP."

Fresneda had the experience of watching the win against FC Famalicão last weekend, and was taken aback by the atmosphere. He told the club media that “It was wonderful. They are incredible fans. I saw an almost full stadium, with everything beautiful that can be seen both outside and inside, and I enjoyed it a lot. I hope that I can experience the same thing with me on the pitch."

“I'm very excited to be here, I can't wait to play at the Estádio José Alvalade. I will give everything for this club. I will fight, improve and try to help the team. I want the fans to support us as they always do, as I had the pleasure of seeing the other day. They should believe in us, because we are also going to give our all on the pitch."

Of his own characteristics, Fresneda analysed that “I like having the ball. We are a team that likes to have the ball, to start off by gaining possession, and I think that can fit in very well with my game, because I like possession football. I think I can bring things to the attack and defensively I adapt very well. I am also good at one-on-ones defensively."

“We have goals as a team, and hopefully I can win many trophies here. I want to enjoy that with the fans and my teammates, and I'm ready for the next game, this Sunday, against SC Braga," he stated.