Wolves would rather not draw premature analogies between Rodrigo Gomes and one of their best signings in recent years But they might struggle to avoid them. The Portugal Under-21 international who is close to finalising his £12.6million ($16m) move from Braga to Molineux Like Neto he has represented Portugal through their teenage age groups and is regarded as one of his country’s most exciting young talents Gomes will inevitably be viewed widely as his heir a 35-minute drive down Portugal’s north-west coast from Neto’s childhood home in Viana do Castelo He spent time with CB Povoa Lanhoso and other small clubs close to his home but joined Braga’s academy in 2014 at age 11 This was just a year after a 13-year-old Neto had signed for the club While the move took him further down the table it brought him a first season of regular game time with 2,445 league minutes across 30 games He rewarded their faith with seven goals and seven assists we have created a picture of the kind of player Wolves are signing A free-to-use site used by professional clubs smarterscout employs advanced analytics to break down elements of a footballer’s game into different performance awarding ratings from zero to 99 based either on how often a player performs a given stylistic action (for example or how effective they are at it (for example how well they progress the ball upfield) compared with others playing in their position Data from all leagues is adjusted to Premier League standards to provide a level playing field Gomes’s smarterscout ‘pizza chart’ gives an overview of his strengths The data compares his performances last season against other right-sided midfielders and several numbers stand out immediately Gomes’s rating of 93 out of 99 for ‘carry and dribble volume’ compared to just four for progressive passing — a metric that shows how many passes the player attempts that move his team at least 10 metres upfield per attacking touch — shows straight away that Gomes looks to hurt opponents by carrying the ball A look back at his season at Estoril shows several examples of Gomes using his extreme pace to beat defenders and lay on shooting chances with cutbacks that have become one of his trademarks contributing to the seven assists he provided this season he raced away from kick-off to assist the rapid opening goal in a 4-0 home win against Casa Pia he laid on the opener for team-mate Joao Marques in a 4-0 home victory over Farense He held off and beat defender Talocha before cutting the ball back for the striker to sweep home grapples with Talocha and manages to shrug him off He shows his strength as the defender attempts to recover the ball… Another finding from his pizza chart is how often he finds himself in opposition penalty areas even though he spent much of last season as a wing-back instead of an orthodox winger A top-level rating of 99 for ‘receptions in the opposition box’ highlights how regularly he finds himself at the end of his team’s attacking moves and his rating of 94 for shot volume suggests he often turns such moments into efforts on goal Most of his nine goals across all competitions came from well-timed runs to meet crosses from the opposite flank Examples included this strike from the edge of the six-yard box in a defeat against Benfica in March And he netted this fine volley — the only goal in a victory over Famalicao in April Other positive features of Gomes’s game include his clever exchange of passes with team-mates in attacking positions such as this one-two that allowed him to score against Casa Pia in November Gomes uses the decoy run of team-mate Rafik Guitane and bursts between two defenders He then plays a neat one-two with Mateus Fernandes… … before slotting home into the bottom corner When comparing him to other midfielders in last season’s Primeira Liga the data website FBref places him in the 98th percentile for progressive carries — dribbles that move the ball at least 10 yards closer to the opposition goal or end in the penalty area And FBref puts him in the 87th percentile for receiving progressive passes while he is not adept at splitting open defences with his through balls — he sits on just the ninth percentile in Portugal’s top tier for making progressive passes — he is skilled at getting on the end of those played by colleagues Clips and scouting reports make clear that Gomes’s pace and determination in the final third are among his biggest strengths if Wolves use him in his Estoril wing-back role The scouting reports make clear that he is effective at pressuring opponents in possession — an observation supported by his smarterscout rating of 92 out of 99 for ‘defensive intensity’ But he is less polished at reading the game defensively and tracking runs One example came in Estoril’s 2-1 defeat to Moreirense in May when he lost track of an opponent as the ball was switched from left to right Gomes has a clear head start on opponent Vinicius Mingotti… Mingotti takes advantage to score the opening goal The quality of Gomes’s crossing has also been inconsistent He is still a raw talent looking to smooth the rough edges of his game he might give Wolves fans a sense of deja vu (Top photo: Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) There are few goalkeepers who at the age of 22 – start for their nation hold the number 1 spot at their boyhood club experience Champions League football and win five domestic trophies There are few goalkeepers like the present and future of Porto and Portugal Diogo Costa is unarguably one of the brightest goalkeeping prospects in world football and has attracted interest most notably from the likes of Barcelona and Newcastle recently Here is the lowdown on the promising shot-stopper The now 22-year-old stands at 6ft4in tall and wears the number 99 initially made iconic by Vitor Baia Costa would join the Porto youth ranks in 2011 and becoming a prospect to look out for from an early age Comparisons and aspirations to pick up from the aforementioned Baia Iker Casillas and the man he would replace Agustin Marchesin would scare Diogo Costa in no way It should be no understatement that Diogo is a born winner Costa would be included in the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (2016 – U17 where he would save a penalty to gift his nation the trophy – A testament also to his mentality Matheus Nunes: The Lowdown on Sporting’s Midfield Gem Porto’s 2018 Revelation Athlete of the Year will forever be engrained in the history of his nation winning two youth tournaments in the form of the 2016 Under-17 European Championship the UEFA Youth League would be won by an iconic Porto squad full of elite talents from the world-class Olival academy That squad would contain the likes of Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) Fabio Vieira (Arsenal) and many more talents yet to reach their full potential Diogo Costa would make his debut for the ‘B’ team sat in the second tier of Portuguese football an impressive feat for such a young talent his first-team debut in a home win against Santa Clara would convince Sergio Conceicao to keep him around the first team to further his development and sum up crucial minutes in domestic cup competitions It would take an injury to Argentinian international Marchesin for Diogo Costa to become an undisputed starter at the start of the 2021/22 Liga BWIN season The Goalkeeper of the Month award would be won five times by the talented youngster no doubt partly down to the 15 clean sheets kept which was enough to be selected in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year in a season securing a domestic double and one of the best league season performances ever seen in Portuguese football (points wise) Evanilson: The Young Brazilian Striker Making a Name for Himself in Portugal but one hosting a defence including a conflicted Chancel Mbemba due to an expiring contract absences from Wilson Manafa and the fans’ ‘ugly duckling’ Zaidu Sanusi (perhaps a thing of the past after his title-clinching goal away to rivals Benfica) Many believed Porto’s defence was their weakest link now bolstered by the arrival of highly-rated David Carmo from SC Braga The hype around Diogo Costa is unquestionably justified looking at what he has won at such a young age he is everything you could ask for from a modern goalkeeper The Porto shot-stopper is a well-rounded elite goalkeeper demonstrated by Porto’s first league game at home to Madeira side CS Maritimo (a common occurrence) where in an instant two certain goals were prevented by a young man with nerves of steel and reactions – he has all of this in abundance being in the top percentiles in Europe for defensive actions outside his area Despite not having favourable statistics in this area he has a great control when crosses are being bombarded in and boasting composed and solid decision making particularly on route to conquering his spot This comparison is necessary also when looking at his ability to kickstart attacks You will struggle to find many goalkeepers more efficient in this area with completion rates in the 70th percentile in every area His nonchalance while having the ability to construct play which many defenders should envy is utterly impressive and can’t be described merely through words Mehdi Taremi: Porto’s Iranian Talisman in Attack Many will be reading this perhaps with slight confusion due to a 5-1 loss to Liverpool in September that did not cover the talent with glory but let it be known that it was an anomaly to be expected even from a player of his class due to the nature of having a lack of experience – remembering that goalkeepers often peak in and around their early 30s arguably already the best out of 10.2 million Portuguese natives and will certainly be among Europe’s best shot-stoppers for years to come By: Kevin Araujo Fernandes / @kevinaraujof Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images Vitor Ferreira’s first steps in football came as an eight-year-old at a club in his hometown Povoa Lanhoso has a reputation for bringing through players who will go on to play for the Porto Academy such as teammate and Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa He quickly progressed through the youth sides at Porto and spent his entire youth career with the club aside from a single season in 2015/16 when he enjoyed a developmental loan spell with Portuguese second division side Padroense – his now-Wolves teammate Ruben Neves had a similar year-long loan at the club from Porto three seasons earlier Having returned to Porto following a year with Padroense Vitinha excelled with Porto’s B team and under-19s His first experience in the UEFA Youth League – the Champions League for youth football – came in 2017/18 when he made an appearance off the bench as Porto beat Besiktas 5-1 it was in the following year’s competition where he had a bigger impact playing in all of Porto’s matches as the team reached the final even setting up one of the goals as his team earned a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim in the semi-final Although he had to settle for a place on the bench as the club's 'Golden Generation' beat Chelsea 3-1 in the final The 2019/20 season was one of significant achievements for Vitinha as he made his Liga Pro debut in the opening game of Porto B’s campaign the 20-year-old scored his first of eight goals in 15 appearances last season netting twice in a 2-0 win over Academico Viseu and two in two games during the new year saw Vitinha promoted to the Porto first-team he made his Porto debut on 28th January 2020 coming on as a second-half substitute – alongside fellow Wolves summer signing Fabio Silva – in a 2-1 victory over Gil Vicente He went on to make a further seven Primeira Liga appearances last season as Porto took the league title Despite following a similar progression throughout his youth career at Porto as Ruben Neves it is his midfield partner Joao Moutinho who Vitinha has been compared to Believed by many to be the natural successor to Moutinho in the Portuguese national side there is no one better the youngster can learn from at Wolves than the man himself Although Vitinha can play as a deep-lying midfielder it is his skills as an attack-minded central man which many at Wolves will hope he will contribute to the team thriving further forwards as a creative outlet It’s not just within the domestic youth level were Vitinha has thrived but the midfielder has also progressed through the Portuguese junior levels being named the best breakthrough player at the 2019 Toulon Tournament Many of his youth appearances for Portugal have come alongside several of his new teammates in gold and black He won’t be short of friendly faces when he arrives at Compton Park having come through the ranks at Porto with Fabio Silva while playing for Portugal alongside Ruben Vinagre and Pedro Neto with the latter lining up alongside Vitinha just last week as the pair were part of the under-21 side which beat Cyprus 4-0 in a Euro U21 qualifying match on Friday night 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Adult Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Adult Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Junior Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Junior Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Womens Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Womens Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Ls Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Ls Now 2024-25 Wolves Pro Home Shirt - Adult Buy 2024-25 Wolves Pro Home Shirt - Adult Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Baby Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Baby Kit Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Infant Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Infant Kit Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Womens Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Womens Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult - Ls Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult - Ls Now 2024-25 Wolves Pro Away Shirt - Adult Buy 2024-25 Wolves Pro Away Shirt - Adult Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Baby Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Baby Kit Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Infant Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Infant Kit Now 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Womens Buy 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Womens Now 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Junior Buy 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Junior Now 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Adult - Ls Buy 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Adult - Ls Now 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Baby Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Baby Kit Now Rodrigo Gomes – The Portuguese winger attracting Premier League interest by Calum Scullion Portugal has been a constant talent factory for decades and the current generation has some very exciting players such as Antonio Silva Joao Neves and Tiago Tomas just to name a few however I’d like to talk about a winger that is having a great breakout season at Estoril Praia and who is already being linked with big European clubs Rodrigo Gomes was born on the 7th of July 2003 in Póvoa De Varzim his football career began at CB Povoa Lanhoso and he played for a couple of other youth clubs before being picked up by Braga in 2014 He progressed through their age groups and worked his way up to playing for the U23 team while still a teenager and scoring regularly at this level Gomes made his first team debut for Braga on the 3rd of October 2020 in a 4-0 win against CD Tondela In the 21/22 season Gomes made 20 appearances for Braga scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist he was mainly coming off the bench and playing the last few minutes of games so naturally it was hard for him to have a real impact He made 27 appearances in 22/23 and scored twice once again struggling to have a real impact or cement himself as a starter in the team He decided to go on loan to Estoril Praia for this season and so far it has proved to be a great decision Gomes has made 26 appearances in all competitions so far this season scoring 6 goals and providing 7 assists and he seems to be really enjoying starting and contributing to goals regularly In the games I watched Rodrigo Gomes mostly played in his favoured right wing position however he also played as a RWB and LWB at times made lots of short passes and was good at keeping play flowing in these crowded attacking areas He played lots of Good 1-2s and passing combinations Gomes often made a forward pass then made a great over/underlapping run and then look to receive the ball again in a more advanced area.I do think his general crossing was pretty inconsistent he made a couple of great deliveries but most of them were easily intercepted or struggled to beat the first man however once he got into these advanced creative areas he at times made these great cut back passes into the box which most of his assists have came from so far this season Showed good vision to spot runs and potential passing options in attacking areas Gomes shows a great determination to take opponents on and consistently drive forward he has good dribbling and ball carrying ability and he often used this to Get himself into attacking areas were he could be effective He showed some great moments of skill and trickery and made defenders really work hard to try and dispossess him He often dropped deep to show for the ball and showed good determination to get on the ball and make things happen He was also very good at running onto the ball showed good off ball movement and often made dangerous runs in behind Gomes was very effective in counter-attacking situations due to his blistering pace and ability to get up the pitch quickly He is definitely an attacking threat and can both create and score goals he  has shown himself to be a decent finisher at Liga Portugal level and some of his strikes were top class He also showed good instincts and ability to get on the end of second chances/loose balls and capitalise on mistakes made by opponents in the final third I also like what Gomes offers defensively/when the team is under pressure he tracked back well and provided good defensive help at times When playing as a wing back he showed that he can compete defensively by being able to intercept the ball make tackles and clear the ball when needed Great pace and ability to get up and down the pitch well The one thing I do think he needs to improve to take his game to the next level and be considered a player ready for a top league is his decision making I just felt he could be a bit more clinical at times in attacking areas and should have passed instead of shooting and vice versa on certain occasions I would also like to see him be more consistent with his crossing and ability to play killer passes but I think this will come with more experience and as he develops over the next couple of seasons I definitely think Rodrigo Gomes is a great young player that has potential to play in a top league and for the Portuguese national team over the next few years I do think it will be interesting to see what happens when he returns to Braga in the summer he may need another season in the Liga Portugal to continue his development and then we may really see him at his full level/potential He is rumoured to be joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer and I think this is a great move for him if it happens but as I said maybe he needs another year in Portugal or a similar league to grow and improve before making that step to a top league like the premier league but it definitely would be a smart piece of business by Wolves nonetheless It will be exciting to see how his career develops over the next couple of seasons and I have no doubt that he will be playing for a top team in the next 3-4 years and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Football Talent Scout is a project started in aby Jacek Kulig a passionate scout and analyst who has worked with numerous clubs and agencies worldwide Football Talent Scout By Jacek Kulig – All Rights Reserved Three goals in five competitive pre-season matches Another Portuguese player was welcomed to ‘the Pack’ daring to conquer the hearts of the Wolverhampton faithful nothing new in that part of the West Midlands Rodrigo Gomes looks to follow the legacy of Matt Doherty Undeniably an exciting and versatile talent Rodrigo Martins Gomes was born on the 7th of July 2003 in Póvoa De Varzim the birth-place of international talents such as ex-Zenit and Sporting CP defender Luís Neto hard man Bruno Alves (Harry Kane remembers him) and Hélder Postiga (Spurs fans might remember him) Everything began at CB Povoa Lanhoso and other local clubs before being poached by SC Braga aged 11 Rodrigo progressed through the academy ranks reaching the Under-23s where he would regularly contribute with match-winning decisive actions No Rúben Neves, no Matheus Nunes, no João Moutinho, no problem. Wolves are on track for a comfortable mid-table finish under Gary O’Neil, and one player who has proven essential is Mario Lemina.@Moe_Adikwu on Wolves’ Gabonese midfield enforcer: https://t.co/4JxoGmPtNi pic.twitter.com/FPEUhxVcAM — Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) April 8, 2024 His engine and dedication meant that he never neglected defensive responsibility as an attacker making him a favourite among coaches from day one Rodrigo Gomes made his senior debut – a testament to his mentality he made a direct contribution to the fourth goal in a 7-0 demolition of Clube Olímpico do Montijo in the Taça de Portugal Rodrigo made more appearances with each passing season but ultimately needed guaranteed minutes on a regular basis – which he found at Estoril The Portuguese youth international would start out on the wing but soon cemented himself as an indispensable key figure from the right flank as an attacking dynamic wing-back as Estoril transitioned into a five-man defence Gomes would score and assist on three separate occasions contributing with eight assists and nine goals in all competitions including an unbelievable Allianz (League) Cup run where Estoril would defeat Benfica and Porto en route to the final where they faced…Braga Rodrigo has also made more than 35 appearances from under-16 right up until under-21 level for the Portuguese national team Gomes has also featured for Braga in European competition as he claimed an assist in a knockout stage victory over AS Monaco in the UEFA Europa League Erling Haaland won the European Golden Boot in 2022/23 Alexander Sørloth finished 2nd in the La Liga Golden Boot race in 2023/24 Could Jørgen Strand Larsen be the next Norwegian striker to enjoy a breakout campaign?@TSpec1al on Wolves’ new forward: https://t.co/CKsx0qb1KG pic.twitter.com/ZtegyCM1pz — Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) August 6, 2024 This excellent past 2023/24 season enticed Wolves to opt for yet another former Estoril player – Toti Gomes and Chiquinho made the same switch Matheus Nunes and Leo Bonatini similarly enjoyed spells at the Canarinhos The ‘Old Gold’ were forced to part ways with 15 million euros and ‘overcome competition from a host of clubs’ (as per respected journalist David Ornstein) to secure the players’ services until 2029 with an option to extend the contract for an additional year Wolves’ official website gave us some insight into how They began scouting him in May 2020 during a U-17 match vs with Neto impressing whilst playing on both wings “The player Gomes has become marries up to many of those early reports – an extremely determined player Typical for a wide man of his tender years Gomes had been regularly rotated during the campaign but got his teeth stuck into the Europa League his move to Estoril fully triggered the Old Gold’s recruitment team and his performances on loan saw him placed on the radars of clubs across Europe.” were impressed with what they saw from Gomes O’Neil’s prior knowledge of the player made it a straightforward decision for all parties The key words used to describe Gomes are work rate intensity and speed – Wolves scouts enjoyed his direct nature so brings versatility to the table and is a humble character which is a key personality trait of the culture being built at Compton Park.” Most goals prevented in the 2023/24 Premier League season: — Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) June 11, 2024 “It wasn’t uncommon to see Gomes running the whole length of the pitch when Estoril were winning in the 90th minute with his arched back running style and powerful running to get past defenders at full speed Gomes is certainly an exciting player with physical technical and mental attributes poised to make an impact and transition into the demanding Premier League with ease diminutive profile who benefits from sharp explosive acceleration and a lower centre of gravity coupled with great stamina and untirable dedication Gomes will cover any ground necessary to attack the ball space or opposing player and demonstrates maturity in his decision-making without the ball while manipulating his body and having patience to trigger his explosive nature in the appropriate moments Due to his quick feet and neat close control Rodrigo possesses decent ability to carry the ball forward with pace and intent effectively He averages over three progressive carries while attempting at least two or three dribbles per 90 minutes which are numbers to make the difference offensively for a side who finished 13th in the 2023/24 Liga Betclic just one point above Portimonense who were ultimately relegated Wolves scored a league-worst 31 goals in the entirety of 2022/23 They’ve already scored 37 after 23 games this season under Gary O’Neil One player who has proven vital in their attacking resurgence is Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha.@Abuy2j on Cunha:https://t.co/GpuaCeU7Ee pic.twitter.com/fBgKmv63fd — Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) February 8, 2024 While his cutbacks are very effective and consistent his deeper crossing can often appear lackadaisical without clearing the first man The same can be said about his shorter and longer passing Rodrigo can combine well in congested zones with sharp while perhaps being too keen to evade pressure in build-up with his longer escapes He is comfortable in advanced areas needing decisive action Gomes shows real intensity when attacking and anticipating opportunities to press and fight for second balls this can be to the detriment of maintaining defensive stability as he can be naive and leave his defence short and despite his mentality and responsibility to retrieve he often struggles positionally and physically in organised defensive contexts while demonstrating a lack of awareness and concentration but needs to be accounted for and focussed on behind the scenes The concerns are also dependent on which role Rodrigo should fulfill as his shortcomings would be masked should he stick to patrolling advanced areas as a winger Wolves fans would say the same about Nélson Semedo Is it time for Rodrigo Gomes to make his mark Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Jack Thomas – WWFC After Rodrigo Gomes signed a five-year deal at Molineux with the Portuguese talent set to join Gary O’Neil’s first-team squad in pre-season wolves.co.uk has looked at some of the key points surrounding the 20-year-old’s first jaunt into English football Just like his new Wolves teammate Pedro Neto Gomes came through the youth ranks of Braga having been born in the northern Portuguese city of Povoa de Varzim After initially joining Povoa Lanhoso as an eight-year-old the young winger spent just one year at the local team before moving to Prozis Academy which is where he came under Braga’s radar signing for the club’s academy before becoming a teenager as he progressed into the senior side for the first time just after football resumed from the Covid-19 lockdown playing in the Portuguese top flight in October 2020 He came off the bench with just two minutes of the 90 remaining of a 4-0 victory over Tondela as Braga got their first win of the 2020/21 campaign Gomes’ first-team debut came after he had hit three goals in his opening four games for Braga’s under-23 side to start the season But he was soon a regular on Braga’s first-team bench while making further late appearances in the wins over Benfica as well as making his first start in a 7-0 Taca de Portugal win over CO Montijo in which he set up the fourth goal the winger was moved back down to the under-23s in January for whom he scored five times in nine outings Since he first made his Portugal under-16 debut in November 2018 in a 1-1 draw against Belgium Gomes has been a regular for his national youth sides racking up more than 35 outings and scoring nine times during the following five years His progression saw him move up to the under-21s for the first time in September 2023 His first international goal came in an under-16 friendly fixture against Belgium in May 2019 as the right winger put Portugal ahead on 51 minutes before Belgium equalised less than a minute later Gomes claimed a goal and an assist on his U17 debut as Portugal overcame Estonia a few months later while he also netted twice in a U17 Algarve Tournament win over Germany in October 2020 Further goals came for the under-18s and under-20s before his best run of form on the international stage arrived early last season as Gomes scored three and claimed two assists in Portugal’s under-21 Euro Championship qualifying campaign – all from the right-back position A post shared by Gomes 🇵🇹 (@rodrigogomes.7) Having signed a new long-term deal with Braga in the summer of 2021 Gomes was promoted from the under-23s into the B-team from the start of the subsequent campaign playing 15 times and scoring five goals in Liga 3 as he took the third tier of Portuguese football by storm so it was no surprise when the winger was brought into the senior Braga side for the second half of the 2021/22 season Gomes played out wide right as well as left during his first prolonged spell in the Braga side as he went from coming on late in games to being a starter which included more than an hour in each of the team’s knockout games in the Europa League as Braga progressed into the quarter-finals – with Gomes claiming an assist in the Last 16 first leg win over Monaco Despite beginning the next season with a first top flight goal in a 5-0 win over Maritimo Gomes was more of a squad player as he continued to develop while continuing to feature in both Braga’s Europa League and Europa Conference League campaigns as well as notching his second senior goal to help Braga into the final of the Taca de Portugal although he was left out of the final defeat to Porto With a need to get regular first-team football under his belt Gomes took a year away from Braga during the last 12 months as he made the move from the north of the country to the Portuguese Riviera and join Estoril on loan for the season Gomes soon found his natural position in the side as a right wing-back as Estoril switched to playing a back five following a run of just one win from their opening nine Primeira Liga matches Gomes scored and assisted in three separate games with his first double coming in a 3-2 loss to Vitoria Guimaraes He soon followed it up with a goal and two assists in a 4-0 win over Casa Pia before being involved in all four goals as Estoril overcame Chaves by the same scoreline with the wing-back scoring twice and providing a pair of assists Gomes continued to have an impressive campaign with ‘Canarinhos’ as he ended the season with eight assists and nine goals in all competitions Gomes helped Estoril claim wins over Porto and Benfica in the Allianz Cup before defeat to Braga in the final – with Gomes not featuring as he was unable to face his parent club When Gomes arrived in the West Midlands for the first time this week he visited Compton Park during a time when the training ground was at its quietest with most of the playing and coaching staff currently either away on holidays or with their countries for international fixtures Although Fabio Silva is the only current Wolves player Gomes has played alongside during his young career – with the pair having shared the pitch five times as Portugal under-21 players last season – Gomes will be welcomed into a group by several of his fellow countrymen with the winger extending the number of Portuguese in Gary O’Neil’s squad at the start of the summer to nine He will also become the third current squad member who previously played for Estoril joining Toti and Chiquinho in making the move to Molineux While Estoril also played a key role in the development of former Wolves men Renat Dadashov and Matheus Nunes before their spells in gold and black there is no shortage of places outside Invicta that surprise with their beauty or unique characteristics We've compiled a list of some of these places Almost a century old, the Ponte de Arame de Lourido is one of the places near Porto that is worth a visit. After almost three years ofrehabilitation, it was inaugurated at the beginning of March this year. The infrastructure connects the municipalities of Celorico de Basto and Amarante, in the districts of Braga and Porto, and is one of the most recent tourist attractions in the northern region due to the beauty of its landscapes. Just an hour from Porto, in the mountains of Fafe, is the fascinating Casa do Penedo, known as “the strangest house in the world”. This unique building, perfectly integrated into the mountainous landscape, has become an international tourist attraction, offering guided tours and exclusive experiences. Opened in 1974 as a vacation home, today it allows visitors to immerse themselves in a bucolic atmosphere, without electricity or modern technology, providing a real disconnection from the outside world. We begin not with a specific suggestion, but an area in its own right: the Parque das Serras do Porto. Comprising the municipalities of Valongo, Gondomar and Paredes, it includes several towns and access routes. So, before you leave home, it’s a good idea to check on the Internet which route to take. This is so that you don’t get lost, but also so that you can make the most of the natural wonders of Parque das Serras do Porto. Affectionately known as “Ilha dos Amores”, it lies at the junction of the Paiva and Douro rivers, in the area belonging to the municipality of Castelo de Paiva. With traces of ancient times, today it stands out as a tourist attraction for the summer season. View this post on Instagram Mills of Apúlia Beach In the municipality of Esposende there are a number of typical windmills with a circular plan These buildings stand out for their schist and granite giving this bathing area a unique landscape you can stroll along the walkway or sit on the wooden benches while you feel the tranquillity and the breeze of the wind This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful castles near Porto Located just half an hour’s drive from Invicta Santa Maria da Feira Castle becomes even more beautiful in August when it serves as the backdrop for one of Europe’s largest medieval re-enactments as the setting of the monument on top of the hill and the surrounding woods takes you back to a fairy tale Where: Alameda Roberto Vaz de Oliveira, 4520-201 Santa Maria da Feira this religious temple looks like something out of a painting with its back to the sea and on top of a rock the chapel is sought after by many photographers due to the spectacular scenery Quinta da Aveleda is part of the Vinho Verde Region and stands out not only for its wine production Located just over an hour’s drive from Porto Serra da Freita covers the municipalities of Arouca This place is a perfect nature destination and has several points of interest For those who love salt water but don’t like sand the Piscina das Marés is an excellent option Located in Leça da Palmeira, this is a refreshingspot for the summer The Piscina das Marés was designed by the famous architect Siza Vieira and has been classified as a National Monument since 2011 then it’s time to take a trip to the municipality of Paredes this area stands out for its scenic beauty being nestled between mountains where the river Sousa flows The scenery you’ll find there is practically dreamlike and will look great in any photograph Classified as a National Monument in 1910 the Monastery of Leça do Balio is one of the fantastic places near Porto that you must visit this is an excellent example of fortified religious architecture It was the first seat of the Order of the Hospital in Portugal and witnessed important events in Portuguese history such as the wedding of King Fernando I and Leonor de Teles in 1372 It also played an important role in assisting pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela It’s hard to believe that there are still beaches like this, with a long stretch of sand and surrounded by pure pine forest. There is only one bar here, which delights bathers in the summer Praia de São Pedro de Maceda is sought after by surfers but also by all those looking to ‘escape’ the hustle and bustle of urban beaches it can sometimes be difficult to park nearby View this post on Instagram the truth is that it’s full of nooks and crannies to admire This is one of the most fantastic natural places to visit near Porto is a destination to consider for the summer View this post on Instagram the Boa Nova Tea House is a symbol of architecture and gastronomy Designed by the famous architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, it was classified as a National Monument in 2011. It is also a Michelin restaurant this is one of the largest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world and one of the great attractions of the Porto Metropolitan Area Made up of steel railings and cables, the infrastructure in the municipality of Arouca is 516 meters long 1.20 meters high and 175 meters above the waters of the Paiva River Crossing this bridge is a unique experience in one of the most fantastic places to visit near Porto This is one of the secret villages near Porto that you really must visit Located on the terraces of Serra da Freita its restoration for tourism has given it a new lease of life and today it is an excellent destination for those seeking tranquillity View this post on Instagram The municipality of Penafiel never ceases to amaze. In addition to its enchanting villages and swings this is where you’ll find one of Portugal’s most surprising hill forts This is truly one of the most fantastic places to visit near Porto View this post on Instagram They say this is the largest natural lagoon on the Iberian Peninsula but what really impresses is not its size but its beauty are a good destination for those who enjoy walking in nature We already know that footbridges are a ‘trend’ that is here to stay with more and more of them appearing in recent years But nature is also synonymous with the sea That’s why we recommend a stroll along the Ecovia do Litoral Sul you can walk along around 6000 meters of wooden walkways View this post on Instagram Lanhoso Castle, in the municipality of Póvoa de Lanhoso, is one of the most beautiful in the northern region. Located more than an hour’s drive from Porto, this medieval fortification served as a refuge for D. Teresa, mother of D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. Where: Rua do Pilar, 4830-513 Póvoa de Lanhoso When it comes to architecture, Siza Vieira dominates the references in this article. It’s not just Matosinhos where you can find incredible works by the Portuguese architect. In the municipality of Maia, the Gramaxo Foundation Museum was recently inaugurated. Located in Quinta da Boa Vista, this seven-hectare manor house is now a center for art and culture. Where: Rua Conselheiro Costa Aroso 601, Maia With 19th century features, the sculptures and the swimming pool (one of the best in Greater Porto)