Newcastle has confirmed that they're very close to sign Sporting Lisbon's 19yo star Hugo Viana. The young talent is currently in England doing medical exams for the club and will be presented to the fans either today or tomorrow.
The transfer fee is around 12,5 million € for a 5 year contract.

Freddie Shepherd, chairman of the magpies, said "we hired Hugo Viana and we are very pleased. He is said to be the best young player of the world".


I can't beleive that Sporting sold him while he's only 19yo. Had they waited a couple years and they would get twice the money for his transfer.:rolleyes:

Yeah, I just read this too...I only hope that he won't burn out like what happens to other young players who leave home too early...

At least he's going to England and will be playing for Bobby Robson, if he'd been signed by some big Italian club then I'd be worrying about his career since he'd never get a chance to play....

He'll get first team football at Newcastle. Newcastle can't afford to spend that much money on a player and not play him, unlike the Milanese clubs or the Roman clubs.

He will form the basis of a young emerging team, with the likes of Dyer, Bellamy, Cort, Lua-Lua, Ameobi, Jenas and Robert as well.

Yeah, I think Viana will fit in nicely with that younger Newcastle squad...

I also read yesterday that Newcastle has also expressed interest in Simao Sabrosa from Benfica?? I find it hard to beleive Benfica would release him, but nevertheless it seems Bobby Robson must have left Portugal with some good impressions..

I wish more Portuguese players would go to the Premiership, I think it would toughen them up some (which they need!), unlike going to Serie A or Spain where the refs blow the whistle for any little touch.

So what's he like this geezer ??

must admit I've never seen him before :(
but heard a lot of praise
8.5M is a lot of money for a youngster ....
ohh well

can't wait for August 17th

PS >> great new sig Shinji !! (as always)

Thanks Shearer!

Well, Hugo Viana is Portugal's next big hope, he's got the dribbling skills of Figo (when he was younger :rolleyes: ) and the passing and vision of Rui Costa...I suspect he's going to be a very important part of Portugal's Euro2004 campaign...I hope he does really well at Newcastle.

Originally posted by ShearerM4
So what's he like this geezer ??

must admit I've never seen him before
but heard a lot of praise
8.5M is a lot of money for a youngster ....
ohh well

can't wait for August 17th

PS >> great new sig Shinji !! (as always)


Man, I've been talking about this guy for the past 6 months!!!:p Don't tell me you haven't heard of him yet! Besides all that ::shinji:: mentioned, let me tell you that he also possesses a nice shot and he's a master at pacing a team. He's the kind of player that you instantly notice when he's not around, because the team just doesn't seem to be able to play anymore.

If you had seen any of the games he played for Portugal in the U21 euro champ. this year you'd know what I mean. Bobby Robson was there to see him and that's why they paid so much for him. Now you must be patient and give the kid some time to adjust to a completely different lifestyle.;)

INFESTA, u said it all!

Be patient and this kid will rock! :p

Originally posted by INFESTA



Man, I've been talking about this guy for the past 6 months!!!:p Don't tell me you haven't heard of him yet! Besides all that ::shinji:: mentioned, let me tell you that he also possesses a nice shot and he's a master at pacing a team. He's the kind of player that you instantly notice when he's not around, because the team just doesn't seem to be able to play anymore.

If you had seen any of the games he played for Portugal in the U21 euro champ. this year you'd know what I mean. Bobby Robson was there to see him and that's why they paid so much for him. Now you must be patient and give the kid some time to adjust to a completely different lifestyle.;)

Let me get out the panadol . . . . I am really light headed after reading the posts in the thread here :eek:

Newcastle would have to be close to finishing higher than last year . . . I'll be happy with a top 4 performance :)

so is this dude on fifa 2002 . . . like with a propper rating?

Here's the kid in his new shirt:

http://www.record.pt/getimage.asp?tb=DESTAQUES&id=19043

great stuff

looking forward to seeing him in action then