The former Manchester United and England centre-back, 36, returns to European football on a deal until the end of the season with an option for a further year.
Chris Smalling is back in European football. Porto announced that they have signed the former Manchester United and England centre-back on a free transfer.
The 36-year-old had been without a club since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha in the summer. His deal runs until the end of the season, with an option for a further year.
"FC Porto has just signed a new defender with international experience and proven track record in the best leagues in the world: Chris Smalling has signed a contract until the end of the season, with an option for an additional year, and joins the national champions without a transfer fee," the club said in its announcement.
The move puts Smalling back in the Champions League. Porto, under Francesco Farioli, have won all seven of their Primeira Liga matches and lead Benfica by five points, though they lost at home to Manchester City in their first European fixture.
Smalling's path started in non-league football at Maidstone, then Fulham, before a decade at Manchester United. At Old Trafford he won five major trophies, including two Premier League titles. He added the Europa Conference League with Roma under Jose Mourinho in 2022, and won 31 England caps along the way.
At 36, he extends a professional career that began 19 years ago at Maidstone.
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