Transfer Market: Sporting Offloads Center-Back to Serbia

Sporting has resolved one of its outstanding issues regarding surplus players. Rafael Pontelo, the 23-year-old center-back acquired in 2024 from Leixões for €700,000, is set to terminate his contract with the Lions and join Serbian club Radnik Surdulica.

Following a series of loan spells, first with Pafos (Cyprus), then Auda (Latvia), and Farense, Rafael Pontelo will now move to the Serbian club permanently. He never managed to establish himself in Sporting's senior squad, making only two appearances.

His next destination will be Radnik Surdulica, where he has signed a three-year contract. Sporting will retain a percentage of the player's economic rights.