Ana Rita Viegas, Ana Capeta and Matilde Figueiras sign in at Alvalade

Another three players have penned deals with Sporting for the club's new female football side, following the arrival of Solange Carvalhas, Fátima Pinto, Diana Silva and Patrícia Morais.

Ana Rita Viegas plays as a midfielder and comes in from Estoril-Praia. "It is a a big responsibility to play for Sporting, it is a dream come true", said the 25-year old.

Ana Capeta is 18, but has long been playing the sport she loves. Although still young, she has already notched up experience with CB Castro Verde, Atl. Ouriense, Clube Atlético and Cultural da Pontinha. “To put on this shirt and to be part of such a quality squad is real honour for me", said Capeta.

Matilde Figueiras spent thirteen years with A-dos-Francos, but is now in Lisbon in search of silverware. "I am a tough player and I don't give up", commented the 20-year old centreback.

International shotstopper agrees deal

Sporting's female football team has added yet another heavy weight to their armoury, this time bringing the Portuguese international goalkeeper Patrícia Morais.

Joining Sporting after two years in France with FF Yzeure and ASPTT Albi, Morais is eager to get underway. "I played as a forward before I had a go in goal in a friendly game against USA", revealed the new signing.

Solange Carvalhas, Fátima Pinto and Diana Silva all sign in on Sporting's return to female football

Twenty one years later, Sporting has once again brought together a female football team. This week saw the announcement of the first official signings, with Solange Carvalhas, Fátima Pinto and Diana Silva all confirmed in Alvalade.

The three have all notched up senior caps for Portugal already. In fact, Fátima and Diana made it to the quarter-finals of the 2012 Euros. "This initiative by the club will bring a lot of people to female football and it will be a really competitive league", said Fátima Pinto after the announcement, having moved from the Spanish side Santa Teresa to Sporting.

Solange Carvalhas also has international experience under her belt and she is keen to apply it at Alvalade: "I started really early, in the youth system at 1.º de Dezembro. Then I had the chance to play in Belgium, where I played for Anderlecht for two years, and that is where I had the chance to turn professional."

Alvalade to host brand new ladies football senior and youth system

Twenty one years later, Sporting will once again have its own female football team. Actually, not one, but an entire youth system as well. The club will create an under-17 (13 to 17), under-19 (15 to 19) and senior (over 19) team, as well as an academy for under-9's (6 to 9) and under-12's (10 to 12). 

The under-17 team will play in the 7-a-side Lisbon District Championship, while the under.19 team will play in the 9-a-side National Junior Championship. Meanwhile, the seniors will play in the 11-a-side Allianz Liga 1st division.

The Academy will operate for the under-17 and under-19 teams in Lisbon's Cidade Universitária, with three weekly sessions from 19h30 to 21h00. The seniors will train four times a week, from 20h30 to 22h00.

Female football has recently exploded in popularity in Portugal, with official statistics indicating a yearly 20% increase in participants in the sport.