Pepe completes return to Porto

Experienced centreback Pepe has completed his highly anticipated return to Portugal champions Porto, signing a 2 and a half year contract.

The Portuguese international, now 35, played for Porto 84 times before making his high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2007.

He spent a decade at the Spanish giants, winning La Liga three times in the process, lifting the Champions League on three consecutive occasions too.

Despite his move back to Portugal, high profile reports had emerged in the past few days that Pepe was set to dramatically call off his highly anticipated return to the Portuguese champions in favour of a move to French strugglers Monaco.

However, despite the genuine and serious interest from the Ligue 1 side, Pepe, as anticipated, has turned down the approach, and his return to Porto has now been made official.

Monaco, who are currently in an unexpected relegation battle, are in need of some much-needed experience to take the pressure off the young players in the squad, but will have to look elsewhere to find it.

Pepe's return has clearly delighted Porto fans across the globe, and there is great optimism that with him in the ranks, Porto can continue their stunning vein of form and even make a push in the Champions League.

Pepe, despite his advancing years, remains Portugal's best defender, and will be hoping to also feature for Portugal in the UEFA Nations League this summer, which will be hosted in Porto, and Guimarães.

Author: Анна Нэсси. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en