Pitbull asks FC Porto for chance to prove himself

Brazilian forward hoping to take part in pre-season training

Claudio Pitbull has arrived in Porto ready to report for pre-season training, but is not sure if he will even partake in it.

The squad is scheduled to report back for duty on 2 July but the Brazilian striker has missed out on pre-season training ever since he arrived at the club in 2005 from Gremio.

The striker hopes that this time around it will be different and feels that he has earned at least the opportunity to join the rest of his Porto colleagues as they prepare for the upcoming season.

“I still don’t know if I have to show up for training this Wednesday. I would like to speak with my agent in order to define if I will be loaned out or not. This week I will also speak with Porto’s staff to sort out my future,” declared Pitbull.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a fantastic season with Vitoria Setubal last season, featuring in 32 matches and scoring seven goals in the championship. Pitbull also won silverware as he was instrumental in helping the club lift the inaugural Carlsberg Cup, winning the man-of-match award in the final against Sporting.

Despite his performances, the striker is still in limbo over his future as he has only played in five competitive matches for the Dragons, but would really like stay with the three time defending Portuguese champions.

Fans rapport

“My will is to remain with FC Porto as I feel a great affection from the fans when they see me in the street and because of that I would like to stay. If I do not stay, I will have to secure what is best for me and the club.

“I have another two and a half years on my contract, and in the three years I have been here I have never participated in pre-season training and I believe that this time I deserve to in order to show what I can do.

“That being said, I do have some proposals and some negotiations within sight because football is a world of uncertainty.”

Pitbull revealed that he has received appealing offers from Spain and France. The former Academica player added that if he cannot earn a place at Porto then Setubal would be the only other club in Portugal he would play for as he considers the Sadinos his “second skin.”