Varzim gain from Porto clear-out

Paulo Santos continued the exodus of players from FC Porto when he joined Varzim SC on loan until the end of the season.

Second keeper to leave
The 30-year-old becomes the second goalkeeper to leave Porto this month following Hilário's departure to Clube Académica de Coimbra, and his departure means B-team goalkeeper Bruno Vale moves closer to first-team involvement where he is in competition with the experienced Vítor Baía and Nuno.

Competition for places
At Varzim, Paulo Santos will provide cover for Portugal B-team goalkeeper Miguel and Litos and replaces the departed Argentinian Fernando Pontiroli. After joining Porto from FC Alverca at the beginning of last season, he made eight appearances in the Dragons' first team, but the return of Vítor Baía from FC Barcelona limited his first-team chances.

Squad pruning
Porto coach José Mourinho has been busy pruning his squad, which is now down to 23 players. Hilário was just one of three players to head to Académica, along with Manuel José and Marcos António, while Hugo Almeida went to UD Leiria and Cândido Costa to Vitória FC Setúbal.

Staying in Russia
Russian international goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov, meanwhile, had his loan to Russian champions FC Lokomotiv Moskva extended for another season. Only midfield players Rubens Júnior and António Folha have yet to find new clubs.