Porto move for Josué and Licá

FC Porto have moved to fill the void left by the departures of João Moutinho and James Rodríguez by signing midfielder Josué Pesqueira and forward Luís Carneiro 'Licá' from FC Paços de Ferreira and GD Estoril-Praia respectively.

Both players have agreed a four-year contract with the Portuguese champions, who last week sold Moutinho and Rodríguez to ambitious Ligue 1 returnees AS Monaco FC in a combined €70m deal. The Dragons have not disclosed any details of the fees involved.

For Porto academy graduate Josué, the transfer represents a return to the club where he started his career. The 22-year-old, who helped Paços de Ferreira finish third this season and qualify for the UEFA Champions League play-offs, told the Porto website: "It gives me great joy to return to a well-known club, my home. Putting this jersey on again is the best thing in the world."

Luís Carneiro, known as Licá, scored six goals in 30 Liga appearances for Estoril-Praia in 2012/13. The 24-year-old said the move is "the fulfilment of a dream", adding: "I prefer to operate on the left, but I'll play wherever is best for the team. Now I must work to show I deserve to be here."

Licá is the Dragons' second close-season acquistion from Estoril-Praia following the arrival of midfielder Carlos Eduardo.