Chris Smalling joins Porto on free transfer with option for second season

Chris Smalling has signed for Porto on a free transfer, returning to European club football after two seasons with Saudi Arabian side Al-Fayha. According to BBC Sport and a Lusa report carried by Portuguese broadcaster RTP, the 36-year-old former England centre-back has agreed a contract covering the rest of the 2026-27 season, with an option for a further year.

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RTP reported that the additional season can be triggered by sporting objectives. Smalling will wear the number six shirt, and his arrival gives coach Francesco Farioli another central defensive option alongside Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Nehuén Pérez and Dominik Prpic. The signing was announced after Smalling had become a free agent following his departure from Al-Fayha in the summer.

Porto have made a perfect start to their domestic league campaign, winning all seven matches and establishing a five-point lead over second-placed Benfica, BBC Sport reported. Their opening Champions League match brought a different outcome, with Farioli's team losing at home to Manchester City. Smalling joins a squad competing in both the Portuguese title race and Europe's leading club competition.

In comments reproduced by RTP from Porto's media channels, Smalling described his excitement at joining and said he wanted to contribute experience and leadership on the field. He also spoke about helping the club win trophies. The defender said he travelled straight from the airport to the stadium for physical tests and was eager to begin training with his new team.

The move extends a career that began at non-league Maidstone United before Smalling joined Fulham and then Manchester United. BBC Sport reported that he won five major trophies at United, including two Premier League titles. He subsequently played for Roma, where he was part of the side that won the inaugural UEFA Conference League under José Mourinho in 2022.

Smalling earned 31 senior England caps before the latest stages of his club career took him to Saudi Arabia and now Portugal. RTP reported that former Porto player Pedro Emanuel coached him at Al-Fayha. His new contract provides an initial return to European football for this season, while leaving a possible second campaign dependent on the extension option.