Defender Douglas Grolli, with a contract until 2026, and midfielder Lucas Araújo, who signed until 2027, were presented this Friday as reinforcements for Portimonense, from the II Football League.
Experienced Brazilian defender Grolli, aged 35, who played for Avispa Fukuoka, in Japan, for the last five years, will have his second experience in Portuguese football, after his spell at Marítimo, between 2018 and 2020.
The player, trained at Chapecoense and with spells at Grêmio de Porto Alegre, São Caetano, Londrina, Cruzeiro, Ponte Preta and Bahia, in his home country, signed a contract valid for a year and a half.
“I’m happy for the opportunity to return to Portugal, it’s a football I already know, I spent a year at Marítimo. After five years in Japan, it is a good opportunity and I will do my best trying to live up to expectations and help the club get back to where it deserves”, said Douglas Grolli, at a press conference.
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Araújo, 25 years old, who in 2024 played 19 games for Guarani, in the Brazilian second division, will have his first experience outside his home country, where he also represented Grêmio de Porto Alegre, Bahia and Sampaio Corrêa.
“I am very happy for this first opportunity [fora do Brasil]. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m going to take this project very seriously. In my view, I am a leader on the field, I am always trying to organize the team and I am sure that I will be able to help Portimonense a lot”, said the player, with a contract for two and a half seasons.
With these two reinforcements, the club has already secured a total of seven players in the winter market, after goalkeeper Maycon Cleiton, defenders Keffel and Heitor, midfielder Benjamin Acquah and striker Juan Alegría.
After 18 rounds played, the team coached by Ricardo Pessoa occupies 12th place in the II League, with 23 points, traveling on Sunday to União da Leiria, eighth, with 25.
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