Jan Bednarek was called a general by the Portuguese. Suddenly, a reference was made to... Pepe!
Jan Bednarek has passed medical tests and was announced as a new FC Porto player on Monday. Portuguese media have high hopes for the Polish defender.
Porto paid Bednarek's €7.5 million release clause, which could have been triggered following Southampton's relegation from the Premier League. The Pole has made 254 appearances for the Saints.
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The 29-year-old's new contract will run until the end of June 2029. It includes a release clause worth... €60 million.
Compared to Southampton, the Słupsk international will have to earn his place in the Dragons' defense at Porto. Argentine Nehuen Perez joined the club from Udinese for over 13 million, and Dominik Prpic was acquired from Hajduk Split for 4.5 million. Fabio Cardoso has returned from loan, and Ze Pedro leads the defense. The nominal right-back, 19-year-old Martim Fernandes, is also being lined up in the back three.
Despite the stiff competition, the Portuguese have high hopes for Bednarek. The Pole is expected to help rebuild their defense following the departures of Pepe and Ivan Marcano.
"We'll see if the Polish 'general' can help eliminate the defensive weaknesses that emerged after Pepe retired," wrote the daily "A Bola."
The newspaper also highlighted Bednarek's good physical condition, reading of the game, good heading and attacking the ball.
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