FC Porto transfer bonanza continues apace: Danish wonderkid Victor Froholdt joins star Spanish duo with Alberto Costa next up | OneFootball

(Photo: www.fcporto.pt)

Club president André Villas-Boas promised this summer’s transfer window would be like no other in the storied history of FC Porto and so far he is keeping his word. Danish international Victor Froholdt is the latest purchase made by the northerners, the highly-rated 19-year-old midfielder signing a contract until 2030.

Froholdt, the first Dane to ever wear the Porto shirt, joins fellow newcomers Gabriel Veiga, Borja Sainz, Dominik Prpic and João Costa at the Estádio do Dragão.

And according to reports, the acquisition of right-back Alberto Costa from Juventus is imminent, meaning Porto will no doubt become a popular wager for prop and parlay bets at the best online betting sites after the raft of signings.

“I am honoured to be here,” said Froholdt, who cost the Dragons €20 million plus two million euros in add-ons. “FC Porto are an enormous club with lots of history and lots of national and international trophies,” added the teenager, whose release clause has been set at €85 million.

Froholdt began his career as a winger but was converted into a central midfielder halfway through last season and subsequently became many people’s choice as the best player in the Danish league.

“I’m looking forward to playing in front of the Porto fans. I really like the Estádio do Dragão and the atmosphere that the fans create. My first impressions of the club are really good and I’m looking forward to starting.”

Spain duo Veiga and Sainz brought on board

Porto began their transfer activity in June by bringing in Gabriel Veiga, the Spaniard agreeing to take a huge cut in his wages to return to Europe after playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.

Veiga was then joined by compatriot Borja Sainz, who clocked up an impressive 19 goals and 4 assists for Norwich in England’s second tier last season. Sainz’s sparkling displays saw him included in a list of six nominees for the EFL Championship 2024/25 Player of the Season. Porto paid a fee of around €15 million to sign the 24-year-old.

For the back line Porto acquired centre-back Dominik Prpić and goalkeeper João Costa, and another exciting transfer is in the works in the shape of Juventus right-back Alberto Costa.

The former Vitória defender was thought to be heading to Sporting but Porto have reportedly moved fastest to win his signature thanks to a player-exchange-plus-cash deal. Juventus will receive João Mário and a fee of €3 million in exchange for the 21-year-old Costa.

New start under Farioli

For Porto fans, the flurry of transfers brings renewed hope after a 2024/25 season to forget, which saw the downfall of the first two coaches Villas-Boas contracted, Vítor Bruno and Martín Anselmi. Both managers lasted just a few months in the job before poor results led to their sacking.

Francesco Farioli has been handed the reins, with the Italian tactician enjoying a fine reputation for the work he has done in his fledgling career thus far, overseeing eye-catching results in his spells at Nice and Ajax.

André Villas-Boas admitted that his first full season as president of the club had gone badly wrong on the pitch. “It’s up to me to accept my responsibilities for the failures and to guarantee the construction of a better future.”

While Porto’s results were poor, AVB and his team worked hard to get the club’s chaotic finances in order, and a more solid treasury has enabled significant investments in the playing squad this close season.

Whether or not it translates into a better showing in 2025/26 remains to be seen, but the robust transfer action has transformed a sense of dread into optimism and enthusiasm among many Portistas.