In the world of football, not every player transfer involves a simple cash exchange. Sometimes, clubs play a deeper game, holding onto a slice of a player’s future value. This past week saw FC Porto and E. Amadora complete just such a set of deals, swapping players without any money changing hands directly. The real story lies in the percentages each club decided to keep.
FC Porto brought in João Costa, a 29-year-old goalkeeper, from E. Amadora. While Costa now mans the goal for the Dragons, his former club, E. Amadora, still holds a piece of his economic rights. FC Porto secured 80 percent of those rights. E. Amadora kept a 20 percent share, meaning they could benefit if Costa is sold again in the future.
Meanwhile, two FC Porto players made the journey to E. Amadora. Abraham Marcus, a 25-year-old winger, moved across, and a similar arrangement was made. E. Amadora now controls 60 percent of Marcus’s economic rights. FC Porto, recognizing his potential, held onto the remaining 40 percent.
The younger forward, 21-year-old Jorge Meireles, also joined E. Amadora from FC Porto. In his case, E. Amadora took a larger share, securing 80 percent of his economic rights. FC Porto kept a smaller, but still significant, 20 percent. These figures were brought to light by Record.
These kinds of deals show how clubs are increasingly betting on the long game. It’s not just about current squad needs. It’s about future income and how players might grow in value down the line. It’s a strategic play, ensuring that even when players move on, their old clubs might still have a stake in their success.
