Famalicão secure strong signings after sinking to the bottom of the Primeira Liga table
Famalicao have utilised the January transfer window to strengthen their laclustre side after a difficult start to the season saw them fall to the foot of the table.
Ruben Vinagre was the first to arrive for Famalicao this month, joining on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers after his stint with Olympiakos was ended prematurely, the Greek outfit - managed by Pedro Martins - signing Pacos de Ferreira’s Moldovan international Oleg Reabciuk as his replacement.
They have since made three more signings too as they look to bolster Joao Pedro Sousa’s squad for the second half of the season and climb up the league standings. One particularly strong addition is that of Bozhidar Kraev from Champions League competitors Midtjylland.
Having been so impressive while on loan at Primeira Liga outfit Gil Vicente last season, Kraev, who has represented Bulgaria 22 times at senior level, returned to his parent club at the start of the current campaign, and appeared in 7 Champions League games, 4 of which came as cameo outings in the group stage against heavyweights Atalanta, Liverpool and Ajax.
Nevertheless, 23-year old Kraev has not been able to maintain a place in the Midtjylland starting lineup having initially been a regular for the side, which opened the door for a return to Portugal and a move to a youthful, ambitious side in Famalicao.
Famalicao’s transfer activity saw another former Primeira Liga player return to the country too, with Heriberto Tavares completing a loan move to the club from Stade Brest having previously represented Moreirense and Boavista, as well as the Benfica B team.
Famalicao will be hoping that Heriberto is able to replicate his form from the 2018-19 season, where he scored 7 goals for Moreirense as they achieved an impressive 6th place finish.
The third new player to join Famalicao in the past week is striker Alexandre Guedes from Vitoria Guimaraes. His arrival did see one of their star player in Ruben Lameiras move the other way, but there is much to be positive about with the signing of Guedes.
Famalicao have really struggled to score goals this season, and though they have had a few strikers on their books this season - including Dyego Sousa (who has since left the club), Leonardo Campana, Ruben Del Campo, Anderson Silva and Marcello Trotta - none have been able to suitably impress and make the central striker position their own.
Guedes is therefore a very competent striker who could fill one of the major weakness in this Famalicao side, having experience and a proven track record in the Portuguese top flight.
In the 2018-19 season he was Guimaraes’ main striker, scoring 8 goals - and getting a further 6 assists - in 34 appearances. Far from spectacular, but he made a solid contribution to Guimaraes’ season as they finished 5th in the league standings and earned a Europa League place, while he also gives Pedro Sousa another option in the forward areas.
Famalicao have also completed the signing of another proven talent too, with Ivo Rodrigues joining the side from Royal Antwerp. He will serve as another potential replacement on the wing for Ruben Lameiras.
Bozhidar Kraev. Photo author: Biser Todorov. License link.
