How Porto pulled off a surprise transfer and took football back in time

In a surprising move, Portuguese club Porto managed to keep the transfer of Luuk de Jong under wraps, stunning their fans and making former manager André Villas-Boas happy. The transfer news, which typically spreads quickly in the modern era, was kept a secret until the player's presentation at a friendly match against Atlético Madrid. The story unfolded like a spy thriller, with de Jong being the last to board the plane from the Netherlands to Porto and timing his arrival on match day to avoid being seen by anyone. Upon landing, he was the first off the plane and ushered into a van with tinted windows that drove him to the stadium. His entourage, who were anonymous to the fans, collected his luggage, ensuring the entire process was kept confidential. The article highlights how Porto's ability to keep the transfer a secret in an era where transfer news often leaks out quickly is a testament to the club's efficiency and attention to detail. The successful completion of the transfer, without any prior information being made public, has surprised the football world.