Former Manchester United and Roma defender Chris Smalling has signed for Porto, according to the BBC's transfer round-up published on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old centre-back, who left Manchester United for Roma in 2020 after a decade at Old Trafford, brings a wealth of experience to the Portuguese giants. Smalling won the Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022 and was twice named in the Serie A team of the season during his time in Italy, establishing himself as one of Europe's most consistent defenders.
The move comes at a crucial moment for Porto, who are battling on multiple fronts this season. The Portuguese side sit mid-table in the Champions League league phase after a difficult start, including a narrow home defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night, and the club's hierarchy have moved to add leadership and steel to their back line.
Smalling's arrival continues Porto's tradition of recruiting experienced British talent, and the defender will be expected to slot straight into the starting XI. His aerial ability and reading of the game should suit Portuguese football, and supporters will hope his winning mentality rubs off on a young squad chasing domestic and European honours this season.
Smalling's pedigree at the highest level is beyond question. A decade at Manchester United brought Premier League titles and a Europa League winners' medal, before he rebuilt his career in Italy, where his commanding displays for Roma earned him a place among Serie A's finest defenders and a European trophy in 2022. Porto have a proud tradition of blending experienced British professionals into their squads, and the veteran's leadership, aerial dominance and reading of the game should prove invaluable as the season reaches its decisive months.