Former Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling has put pen to paper with Portuguese league leaders Porto. The 36-year-old centre-back joins the club on a deal that runs until the end of the current season, with an option for a further year.
Smalling had been without a club since leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Fayha over the summer. While a move to Rangers was reportedly considered, it ultimately did not materialise.
Porto, managed by Francesco Farioli, have enjoyed a strong start to their league campaign, winning all seven of their games and establishing a five-point lead over second-placed Benfica. However, they faced a home defeat against Manchester City in their opening Champions League fixture.
Smalling brings a wealth of experience, having previously played for Fulham, Manchester United – where he secured five major trophies including two Premier League titles – and Roma, where he lifted the Uefa Conference League in 2022. He also earned 31 caps for England during his 19-year professional career.