Hugo Viana heads home
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Article summary
Hugo Viana is returning to Sporting Clube de Portugal while the club are also set to sign Rogério.
Article body
Back home
The 21-year-old midfield player has agreed a 12-month loan at the club he left to join Newcastle in June 2002. Hugo Viana had come through the ranks at Sporting, who were once coached by Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson, and made his first-team breakthough in 2001/02. However, after just 25 league appearances he departed for Newcastle, signing a five-year contract in a €12.4m transfer.
International class
Capped 12 times by his country since his international debut against Angola in January 2001, Hugo Viana has been chosen to represent Portugal at the Athens Olympic Games next month. A regular at Under-21 level, he missed out on selection for UEFA EURO 2004™ after being part of the squad at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals.
'Very happy'
"I am very happy," said Hugo Viana, who played 39 league games, scoring two goals, in two seasons at Newcastle. "Everything is done with Sporting." The player is set to be officially unveiled tomorrow when he will take part in his first training session.
Rogério ready
Meanwhile, Sporting have also agreed to sign Brazilian midfield player Rogério from SC Corinthians Paulista, where he was captain. The 28-year-old, who can also operate at right-back, arrived in Lisbon this morning and is set for a three-year contract with the UEFA Cup contenders.
