Portuguese giants Porto have reportedly reached an agreement to sign English defender Chris Smalling as a free agent.
The experienced centre-back is currently undergoing a medical as he closes in on a move to the Portuguese club, with Porto manager Francesco Farioli said to have made a special request for the defender’s signing.
Smalling, 35, is expected to bring considerable experience to Porto’s defensive department after a career that has included spells with Fulham, Manchester United and Roma.
The former England international spent several years at Roma, where he established himself as an important figure in the club’s defence and won the UEFA Europa Conference League.
His arrival at Porto would provide Farioli with another experienced option at centre-back as the Portuguese club competes on multiple fronts.
Porto’s move for the defender has been compared to the club’s signing of veteran Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, who joined the Portuguese side in January.
