Rafael reunited with Villas-Boas
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Article summary
FC Porto coach André Villas-Boas has raided former club A. Académica de Coimbra to strengthen his defence with the signing of left-back Emídio Rafael on a three-year deal.
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![Emídio Rafael (left) in action against Porto Emídio Rafael (left) in action against Porto](https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/01e7-0e74d9089342-035fbc8e55af-1000/format/wide1/emidio_rafael_left_in_action_against_porto.jpeg?imwidth=158)
Article body
FC Porto coach André Villas-Boas has raided former club A. Académica de Coimbra for defender Emídio Rafael.
Villas-Boas was named as Jesualdo Ferreira's successor at Porto last month having guided Académica to an 11th-placed finish in his first season as a senior coach. He has now returned to his former employers to add Portugal Under-23 international Rafael to his squad ahead of the new season. The 24-year-old defender, a product of the Sporting Clube de Portugal academy who played 26 league games for Académica last term, has signed a three-year contract. Porto will enter the UEFA Europa League play-offs having finished third in the Portuguese First Division.