Featured Image Credit: FC Porto
Topics: FC Porto, Newcastle United, Portugal, Premier League, Fan Reactions
Jack Kenmare
Topics: FC Porto, Newcastle United, Portugal, Premier League, Fan Reactions
Chances are, a fan will already be well-versed on the ins and outs of a transfer before their club make it official.
The social media era of transfer rumours and news, where reporters and so-called ITK experts publish regular updates to millions, has tarnished the surprise element of the window. Remember that feeling of finding out about a move on Teletext?
More often than not, the anticipation of a new signing has died down after weeks of speculation but on Sunday afternoon, thousands of fans were left open-mouthed when Luuk de Jong was unveiled as FC Porto's latest addition.
Ahead of their pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid, the stadium announcer surprised everyone when he confirmed the arrival of De Jong from PSV.
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No journalist had previously reported on the transfer and even the club refrained from posting about De Jong's arrival until he walked onto the Estadio do Dragao pitch – a moment that brought an incredible reaction from those in attendance.
Moments after the unveiling and Fabrizio Romano posted about the "surprise" move. He wrote: "FC Porto unveils Luuk de Jong as new striker as surprise signing, wanted by president André Villas-Boas."
Here's how fans on social media reacted to the unveiling.
One said: "Not a single journalists knew about Luuk de Jong joining FC Porto and the world only found out when he entered the pitch during the presentation tonight. Imagine it was like this all the time."
A second wrote: "This is how transfers used to be."
A third commented: "Porto fans were left stunned when Luuk de Jong was unveiled as a surprise signing ahead of their pre-season friendly, with no announcement from the club, no word from journalists, and no one knowing a thing until he walked out onto the pitch. We need more of this!"
A fourth added: "How it used to be, good old times where things were private."
De Jong, who made 12 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United during his loan spell at St James' Park in 2014, has played for PSV, Sevilla and Barcelona over the past decade.
He returned to PSV in 2022 and spent three years at the Eredivisie club before joining Porto this month.
Speaking on his departure from PSV, he said: "This is not a goodbye but a goodbye. I will remain attached to this wonderful club, the most beautiful club in the Netherlands, for the rest of my life."
De Jong continued: "It was fantastic. Eight seasons. Five times champion, won the cup and numerous Johan Cruijff-Schalen. Unforgettable nights played in the Champions League, what an atmosphere. Goosebumps.
"I now choose a different challenge, I am an adventurer. Someone who, together with his family, seeks adventure. Someone who wants to experience the culture and sport in other countries. And hopefully achieve success there as well."