Wellington Phoenix have pulled off a coup, signing former Sporting CP attacking midfielder Francisco ‘Chico’ Geraldes on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Geraldes arrives in Wellington from Malaysia powerhouse Johor Darul Ta’zim, where he made five appearances this season before being loaned out to CD Eldense in Spain’s second tier.
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The 29-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the Phoenix, having progressed through the famed youth system of Portuguese giants Sporting, who have produced all-time great Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Geraldes played alongside the likes of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, former Manchester City and Barcelona star Joao Cancelo, and Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha during his time at Sporting, where he amassed 15 senior appearances after playing 71 games for the club’s second team.
The ex-Portugal youth international has also spent time with German club Eintracht Frankfurt, Greek juggernaut AEK Athens and Baniyas in the United Arab Emirates.
“In terms of quality he’s far above and beyond what sort of player I thought we would get in this window,” said Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano.
“Chico is exactly what we need. He’s a creative playmaker. He can play as an eight or a 10, but he’s been most effective in that higher position.
“He’s been training with his last loan club in Spain so he’s still relatively fit and I’m hoping that he can hit the ground running after a week.
“It’s going to take him time to find his feet, especially as the A-League is a little bit quicker transitionally, but once he comes good I think he’ll be a really, really good player for us.”
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Geraldes made his debut for Sporting in 2017 during Jorge Jesus’ tenure.
A year earlier, he also featured twice for Portugal’s Under-21 side, playing alongside the likes of Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Goncalo Guedes and Ruben Neves.
During his time with Johor in Malaysia, he won the 2024 Malaysia FA Cup having got his hands on the 2016-17 Taca da Liga with Moreirense in Portugal.
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“I think this is the perfect place for me to come,” Geraldes said. “I’m looking forward to playing and helping the Phoenix.
“The team is the most important thing. I want to help the Phoenix secure more points and get qualification to the finals.
“And personally I need to get my joy back in football. I think Wellington is a very warm place to be because people are so gentle and so kind, and they’re already making me feel at home.”
Geraldes added: “My main characteristics are my passing, assisting goals and creativity on the
pitch. That’s what Giancarlo wants me to add to the team.
“They’re my main strengths and I always put team goals first. I think I can add to the Phoenix and help the team grow. I have the trust of the coach and the staff, and the rest will come.
“The most important thing is to clear my mind, train hard and the results will come, I’m sure.”
