Chris Smalling signs for Porto until end of season

Chris Smalling, the 36-year-old former Manchester United and England centre-back, signed for Portuguese league leaders Porto on 30 September 2026.

Smalling had been without a club since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha in the summer and has played his club football outside England since 2020. He was linked with a move to Rangers that did not materialise and was keen to extend a 19-year professional career that began at non-league Maidstone.

The contract runs until the end of the season and includes an option for a further year.

Porto have won all seven of their league games this season and already hold a five-point advantage over second-placed Benfica.

Francesco Farioli's side were beaten at home by Manchester City in their opening Champions League game.

Across his career Smalling has played for Fulham, Manchester United — where he won five major trophies, including two Premier League titles — and Roma, where he won the Uefa Conference League under Jose Mourinho in 2022.

Smalling also won 31 England caps.