Advertisement

Champions League and Euro 2016 winner Pepe returns to Porto after 12 years away

The former Real Madrid defender has been a free agent since December.

THREE-TIME CHAMPIONS LEAGUE and Euro 2016 winner Pepe has re-joined his old club Porto 12 years after departing for Real Madrid.

pepe Welcome home: Pepe. FC Porto. FC Porto.

The 35-year-old defender signs for the Portuguese champions on a two and-a-half year deal, returning to the side where he spent three seasons (2004 to 2007) and won two league titles.

“Welcome home,” they tweeted earlier, confirming the news that the deal runs to 2021.

From Porto, the 103-time capped Portugal international plied his trade at the Bernabeu for a decade, winning three La Ligas and three Champions League titles.

EURO 2016 - Final Portugal vs France Pepe and Ronaldo lift the European trophy in 2016. DPA / PA Images DPA / PA Images / PA Images

At Euro 2016, he was named man-of-the-match in Portugal’s 1-0 final victory over France. Pepe had been at Turkey outfit Besiktas since 2017 but left in December, becoming a free agent.

His contract at the Istanbul-based club was not due to expire until June 2019 but was terminated amid growing debts before Christmas.

At Porto, he will be reunited with his former Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas. The holders are currently six points clear at the top of the the Primeira Liga.

Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:

Close
8 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Rice
    Favourite Ciaran Rice
    Report
    Jan 8th 2019, 5:18 PM

    Pepe, a bástards bástard

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Motley
    Favourite Willy Motley
    Report
    Jan 8th 2019, 7:28 PM

    @Ciaran Rice: if you had to make a team of them then who Would go beside him?? You’d have to have Diego Costa up top for sure. He’s a bad oul hure

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darach Malone
    Favourite Darach Malone
    Report
    Jan 9th 2019, 12:12 AM
    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Meatloaf
    Favourite Meatloaf
    Report
    Jan 8th 2019, 2:57 PM

    Jaze I’d be dying for a return to porter after 12 years off

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marty
    Favourite Marty
    Report
    Jan 8th 2019, 3:27 PM

    BS from sky lead me to believe he was joining Henry at Monaco

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allen Durkin
    Favourite Allen Durkin
    Report
    Jan 8th 2019, 5:12 PM

    Still a tramp

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute irishred
    Favourite irishred
    Report
    Jan 8th 2019, 5:53 PM

    Hes an utter s#umbag

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael McGrath
    Favourite Michael McGrath
    Report
    Jan 8th 2019, 10:04 PM

    Out and out nutter

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel