Deadline Day Wrap-Up: Mexican Mavericks Miguel Layún and Jesús Corona join Porto

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Mexico internationals Miguel Layún and Jesús Corona have joined Futebol Clube de Porto, the Portuguese club announced on Monday, from Watford and FC Twente, respectively.

The 27-year-old Layún joins from the Premier League on a one-year loan with an option to buy for €6M, while Corona’s deal is permanent, joining Os Dragões for €10.5M with a €50M release clause.

Both players will bolster the winger and full-back positions, respectively, areas that have a dearth of options in terms of quality, with Varela, Tello and Hernâni, as well as Cissokho, José Ángel and Ricardo Pereira, leaving a lot to be desired.

Scout Report: Rúben Neves

On the 15^th of August 2014 a boy by the name of Rúben Neves graced the hallowed turf of the Estadio Dragão in front of a raucous home crowd of 50,000 Tripeiros.

Born in Mozelos to the north of Portugal on the 15^th of March 1997, the diminutive midfield lynchpin had little to no notoriety outside the youth ranks, heeding Lopetegui’s call and taking the bull by the horns with an impressive 2014/15 pre-season. The youngster, at only 17 years and 155 days, had become the youngest player to appear and score in a league match for FC Porto; eclipsing the likes of Fernando Gomes and Paulo Futre, legends of the blue and white.

Gomes was only 17 years and nine months old when he bagged a brace on debut. Almost forty years later, midfield dynamo Rúben Neves had beaten the striker’s record by four months, opening the scoring after 11 minutes en route to securing a 2-0 victory against CS Maritimo.

Primeira Liga Week 1: FC Porto dominate in convincing win over Vitória de Guimarães

Photo: gettyimages (Carlos Rodrigues)

Futebol Clube do Porto kicked off their 2015/16 season in the best way possible on Saturday night, trouncing Minho giant Vitória de Guimarães 3-0 in front of a near-capacity crowd. A brace from Cameroonian young starlet Vincent Aboubakar would prove doubters wrong after a frustrating preseason in front of goal, as the name Jackson Martinez looks to become a distant memory.

FC Porto dominated most of the match against Armando Evangelista’s largely inoffensive Vitória, with Maxi Pereira and Giannelli Imbula enjoying fine debuts, producing sumptuous assists for the 2nd and 3rd goals. Silvestre Varela also impressed on his return to the Dragão, netting a fine effort to complete the rout.

Click here for match highlights

Pinga: The Pearl of the Atlantic

Artur de Sousa, better known as Pinga, was born on the Island of Madeira on 30 July, 1909. Beginning his career at Club Sport Marítimo, the adept forward and inside-left midfielder extraordinaire would play at Os Verde-Rubros for three seasons, before crossing the Atlantic divide to ply his trade of Northern powerhouse Futebol Clube do Porto for over 16 years.

Legend Player Profile: Name: Artur de Sousa ‘Pinga’ Date of Birth: 30/07/1909 (Death on 12/07/1963) Position: Forward, Left-Midfielder, Winger International Caps: 21 (9 goals) Career Span: 1929-1946 Clubs: Marítimo and FC Porto Honours: Campeão da I Liga (1934/35), Nacional da I Divisão (1938/39 & 1939/40), Campeonato de Portugal (1931/32 & 1936/37), Top Goalscorer in Campeonato da I Liga (1935/36; 21 goals in 14 games)

2015/16 Season Preview V: Final League Prediction

Final league prediction

1^st.

There is no reason that Futebol Clube do Porto will not finish first. On paper, they not only have the superior eleven, but also the strongest squad, and, in this writer’s opinion, one with greater depth and quality than last season.

Massive overhauls and changes in personnel, as well as the managerial go-around that is Portuguese football, has seen Benfica and Sporting, as well as Braga and Guimaraes, with a lot of work to do.

Porto are more settled, have recruited well with a superfluity of options in every position. Quality football and trophies will be at a premium this season.