How Pedro Porro convinced Sporting Lisbon to make his loan move from Manchester City permanent

Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon have made their two-year loan deal of Pedro Porro permanent after taking up the option to buy the full-back. The 22-year-old Spaniard did not take much time to find his feet in Lisbon. The right-back who was on loan from Premier League leaders Manchester City quickly hit the ground running in Portugal. His pace and dribbling skills made him a weapon for Sporting, who benefitted from his attacking qualities. He used his quick pace to regularly surge forward on the right flank to provide an additional attacking outlet. 

Who is Pedro Porro?

In 2019, Pedro Porro joined City from sister club Girona before being sent out on loan to Real Valladolid for the season. That spell did not turn out the way he would have wanted, as he ended up playing only 15 times in all competitions that season. The following year he was sent on a two-year loan spell with Sporting Lisbon, which is where he found his feet. This season alone he has played 35 times for the team in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in the process. 

READ MORE – What is Bruno Fernandes’ net worth, salary, transfer value and endorsements?

What are his strengths?

One of the biggest strengths of Pedro Porro is his attacking ability. The full-back’s incredible pace combined with excellent dribbling ability makes him a threat to the opposing defenders. He can quickly move with the ball at his feet, making it difficult to take the ball away from him. This season alone he has scored five goals and provided seven assists in 35 games, which is an improvement to the four goals and two assists he made last campaign in 37 games across all competitions. These are impressive numbers for a full-back.

However, it is not only his attacking qualities that has caught the attention, but the 22-year-old is equally a solid defender. As per sofascore, he has made 1.1 interceptions per game in the league this season, 1.8 tackles per game and has one clearance per game. Besides, he has been dribbled past only 1.4 times per game. These numbers indicate how Porro is already an all-round full-back, who has the capability to reach great heights. His consistent high-quality performances on the right-flank would have made it an easier option for Sporting to make the deal permanent.

READ MORE – Sporting Lisbon vs Manchester City: Bernardo Silva net’s twice as City win 5-0

What did Pedro Porro say about the transfer becoming permanent?

Sporting Lisbon had earlier released a statement, revealing the details behind the loan move becoming permanent. “Sporting Clube de Portugal have taken up the option to buy fullback Pedro Porro, who after two seasons at the club on loan from Manchester City joins on a permanent deal. The Spanish international has signed a contract through until 2025, with a release clause of 45 million euros,” the club’s statement read.

On the back of signing the contract, Pedro Porro, as per their club’s website, said, “I am very happy. When I came here, I knew I was coming to a great club, but I didn’t expect to have achieved what I have in these two years and for us to have created this family, this strong group. We’ve played well and won trophies. From the beginning, my objective was to help Sporting CP, where I knew that the demand is of a high level. This is a big club, I’ve been given an opportunity and I’m very happy to continue here.”

“I know very well what the expectation from the supporters is, and in games we realise how important this is. I’ve always liked that, and also the demand that wearing this badge requires. You have to have grit, have attitude and run right to the end. That’s what I’ve done so far. I always try to work as hard as I can and I’ve always done that. That’s what I was taught to do, and I know that to be a top-level player you have to have this kind of demand. Giving everything until the end is part of me, and the support of the fans also helps me a lot.”