Nacional boost squad with Croatian prospect

Teenager Duje Cop tied down to 5-year contract

Nacional remain active in the off-season as the islanders continue to try and supply new coach Manuel Machado with the necessary tools to be competitive next season.

Club president Rui Alves has scoured the continent for reinforcements and come up with Duje Cop. The 18-year-old Croatian joins from Hadjuk Split and has signed a five-year deal with the Madeira outfit.

Cop is not the only new face added to the squad as the team have also inked Joao Aurelio and Ruben Micael to similar deals.

Both players were groomed at lower division side Uniao da Madeira and have now made the step up to the upper echelons of Portuguese football. The signings of the prospects is part of the club’s policy to lower the average age of squad.

The trio join Miguel Fidalgo, Douglas and Maicon as the club’s official close season acquisitions.

Nacional are not done there as the black and white stripes are also hoping to land Marco Airosa and Nuno Pinto in the coming days.