Matheus Pereira takes aim at the coming campaign

More motivated than ever. That is how Matheus Pereira is shaping up for the coming season, speaking in an interview after his medical with the club's official health partner, CUF.

“This season will be better. We are all really focused. I rested well and made the most of my holidays. I feel ready to start the season", affirmed the young winger in an interview with the Sporting Journal after his medical this week, adding: "I was missing the fans, because they really get behind us. We always miss our home and I want to get back into the stadium with the fans."

Player loaned to Nacional da Madeira for the coming season

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Clube Desportivo Nacional – Futebol, SAD for the loan of the player Tobias Figueiredo for the 2016/17 season, with no option for a permanent transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Tobias Figueiredo the best of personal and professional success.

Iuri Medeiros returns to Sporting and is hunting for a place in Jorge Jesus' squad

After a loan spell with Moreirense last season, Iuri Medeiros proved overjoyed with his return to Alvalade this week and has promised to battle for a place in Jorge Jesus' squad.

"I am happy to be back and now I will work hard", said the 21-year old winger, adding: "I want to be part of the group and I will do my best to get into the team. Some of the players aren't back yet but I have had the opportunity to spend some time with the lads and it is nice to catch up with my friends."

João Pereira eager to get the new champaign underway

The pre-season campaign is normally a tough spell for any player after a long break, but not for João Pereira, with the wingback in great shape and eager to get the action underway.

“I was missing this, missing being with the lads for breakfast, for lunch...it is something you get used to and you miss it during the holidays. Thank fully the new season is starting", said the defender after his medial exam this week, adding: "We want to be champions and we will play in every competition to win."

2016/17 campaign gets underway with the usual trip to the medical room

The pre-season officially got underway this week for Sporting CP, but neither a pitch or a ball were anywhere to be seen.

A group of players back from the summer break were at the Alvalade and Infante Santo CUF Clinics with the club's official health partner, to undergo their standard pre-season checks.

João Pereira, Marvin Zeegelaar, Tobias Figueiredo, André Geraldes, Bruno César and Iuri Medeiros were the first to take the physical tests, followed by Coates, Barcos, Matheus Pereira and the brothers Alan and Federico Ruiz.

Paulo Oliveira, Rúben Semedo, Schelotto, Jefferson, João Palhinha and goalkeeper Azbe Jug joined the group in the afternoon, along with Carlos Mané, Bruno Paulista, Ricardo Esgaio, Naldo and Spalvis.

Alvalade president confident ahead of the coming season

Sporting will be more motivated than ever for the coming season's title race. That was the guarantee given by president Bruno de Cavalho in an interview with the newspaper Expresso this week, setting out his vision of Sporting as the favourites to claim silverware next season.

“We are a very serious contender for the title. We showed this year that people had underestimated us. We were very consistent. In six matches against the big clubs we won five", affirmed the Alvalade president, before settling any nerves about activity in the summer transfer market: "We don't need to sell out key players. We are complying with the financial fair-play rules and we are in positive territory right now, which can support an increase in the cost of the squad."

Asked about his relationship with the agent Jorge Mendes, the Sporting president was preemptive: "I have no interest in seeing a player sold for 300 million euros but only 3 million actually comes to Sporting. I hear people talking about millions and millions and millions, that 500 billion euros have passed through his hands. Well good for him. People think I am arrogant, but I am 100% humble about the whole thing and I hate this stupidity. When people are being stupid, then of course I am arrogant. I will put up with the worst person in the world for 100 years, 24 hours a day, if they are useful for Sporting."

Sara Granja, Tânia Rodrigues and Nadine Cordeiro all pen deals

A total of 12 ladies have already put pen to paper and signed for Sporting's female football team, after the sport made its return to the club after 21 years.

The ladies far announced are: Solange Carvalhas, Fátima Pinto, Diana Silva, Patrícia Morais, Matilde Figueiras, Ana Capeta, Ana Rita Viegas, Bárbara Marques and Bruna Costa, along with the signings of Sara Granja, Tânia Rodrigues and Nadine Cordeiro this Friday.

Sara Granja, 26, arrived in Alvalade after spells with Albergaria Mazel, Valadares and UMF Afturelding. “Sporting Clube de Portugal scares a lot of people. We will be looking to win the league, the cup and to reach the champions league", said Granja in an interview with the Sporting Journal.

A 17-year old striker, Tânia Rodrigues proved overjoyed with the chance to represent Sporting: "Our objective is to win the league. I would the opportunity to play for the national team."

Nadine Cordeiro is a 19-year old midfielder and already has caps for the national under-16, under-17 and under-19 teams.

Schelotto back from Argentina and ready to dive straight into training

The holiday season is already over for Ezequiel Schelotto, but the Italian-Argentinean couldn't be happier to return to Alvalade.

"All I was thinking about was coming back to Portugal and I can't wait to get into training with the team", affirmed the defender, continuing: "As of Monday, the coming season will be the only thing that matters. I am really looking forward to carrying on with the club and to putting a smile on the fans faces."

Schelotto has already found a special place in the Sporting faithfuls' hearts and he is looking to carry on in the coming campaign: "The fans are always with us. I received a lot of messages during my holidays asking me to carry on here. I always reply, because the fans are part of this project."

L'Équipe highlights Alvalade's contribution to the nation's Euro 2016 campaign

Not even Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or for that matter any other club in Europe has as many players representing the respective national team as Sporting does.

This dominance is of course reflection of the quality of the Sporting Academy, highlighted in an article published by L'Équipe this week.

In the 0-0 draw against Austria, coach Fernando Santos included no fewer than six players who learnt their trade at Alvalade: Rui Patrício in goal, William Carvalho and João Moutinho holding down the midfield and Ronaldo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma leading the attack.

Also on the bench was Sporting products Adrien Silva, Cédric, João Mário and José Fonte.

Only Barcelona comes close, having provided a total of five of the players for the Spanish national team's 2-1 loss against Croatia.

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.