Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed how his side landed the signature of Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos.
Masandawana acquired Santos from the Portuguese top-flight club Vitória de Guimarães for a fee around R20 million.
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Cardoso says Sundowns capitalised on Guimarães’ need to sell players and generate revenue to manage the club’s finances.
He added that the player was drawn to the Tshwane giants after seeing their impressive run in the FIFA Club World Cup while also his Portuguese nationality as a coach played a part in attracting him.
“I think his club wanted to release some players and make money in order to manage the organisation,” said Cardoso.
“That is clear, Nuno wanted challenges abroad that provide him different opportunities.
“Obviously, the name of Sundowns seduced him after the Club World Cup we had and also the fact that I’m the Portuguese coach.”
Cardoso emphasised that securing players of the caliber of Santos and Miguel Reisinho, another Portuguese midfielder who joined Sundowns as a free agent, doesn’t come easy.
“People must understand that these kinds of players are not easy to bring here,” he added.
“It’s the end of the market opportunities, let’s say. And because we were able to wait, even though we were not waiting for them, last minute these opportunities appeared.
“I think we are privileged to have brought them. We hope they can impact the team as we expect and also the ones that have been here continue to do so.”
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