In an era where transfer leaks are almost inevitable, Porto pulled off a rare and thrilling coup — unveiling Luuk de Jong in complete secrecy. The announcement stunned fans, players, and even club staff, evoking memories of football’s past when surprises were easier to orchestrate.
The operation was executed with the precision of a spy mission. De Jong boarded his flight from the Netherlands to Porto last, landing discreetly on matchday to avoid unwanted encounters. Upon arrival, he was whisked away in a van with tinted windows, his luggage handled by an anonymous entourage. Inside the van, the club’s media team quietly captured behind-the-scenes footage, while the striker expressed his amazement at keeping such a deal hidden in today’s hyper-connected world.
The biggest hurdle was the medical. Porto registered De Jong as a handball player to avoid alerting clinic staff. Once cleared, he used a service lift to enter the stadium unnoticed, where he waited for hours as the team prepared for a friendly against Atlético Madrid. Throughout the day, those in the know monitored social media for signs of leaks — none appeared.
Moments before kick-off, the secret was finally revealed. Head coach Francesco Farioli introduced De Jong to the squad in the dressing room, sparking shock and excitement. In the stadium, 49,000 fans erupted when the announcer teased a mystery signing before unveiling the club’s new No. 26. Many journalists scrambled to look up his stats, caught completely off guard.
The Dutch striker, who scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists for PSV last season, signed a one-year deal with an option for extension. He will compete with Samu Aghehowa and Deniz Gül for a starting spot in Porto’s attack.
This clandestine move revived a tradition from the 1980s and 90s, when Porto regularly unveiled surprise signings at their presentation friendlies. Club president André Villas-Boas sought to recreate those childhood memories, believing such moments could still exist in modern football. For a brief time, the noise of speculation was replaced by pure, unfiltered surprise — and Porto reminded the football world of the magic that can happen when a secret is kept until the very last moment.
