A native of Balazar, a village north of Porto, João Ferreira carries the colors of Rio Ave with his 10 to 13 years. But it was within the Benfica training center, which he joined in the process, that the young player reveals himself. In parallel with a nice route in Portuguese selection symbolized by 28 U15 selections in the U19, the defender manages to climb to the professional group. In 2020, then 19 years old, he made his great first by competing for the entire Portugal Cup meeting. A few weeks later, he tasted the Europa League by defying the Liège standard.
In search of experience, João Ferreira then went into exile at Vitória Guimarães then in a club he knows well, Rio Ave, for half a season. Arrived in the winter of 2023, the Portuguese defender was approached by Watford who offered him a first opportunity far from his native country. He played five games across the Channel before flying off, this time in Italy, where he joined the Udinese club in 2023-2024.
In Serie A, João Ferreira immediately made his place and played 37 games before a new season on loan, during the last exercise, this time in Braga. A season which allowed him to acquire a little more experience thanks to 32 appearances, in the Portuguese first division, in the cup but also in the Europa League where he was established six times in the group phase.
Place France now for João Ferreira! The 24 -year -old Portuguese joined ASSE until 2029 and joined the workforce of Eirik Horneland in which he will carry the number 13. The defender is the fifth summer reinforcement after the levee of the purchase options of Irvin Cardona and Maxime Bernauer as well as the arrivals of Mahmoud Jaber and Chico Lamba.
João Ferreira : “I am very happy to sign at AS Saint-Etienne. He is a giant of French football, a club of a huge dimension. Here, I know there is everything you need to achieve our goals and do great things this season, I am focused on it. I also know that here, supporters live for the club and are very present. I can’t wait to feel it for myself, especially at the stadium.“
Eirik Horneland, coach of the ASSE: “João is a professional top that has always evolved in the high level. He is a player who has a big physical activity in the match. It is fast, powerful and defends well. He has a good attack on offensive level and a strong personality. We are very happy to welcome him into the workforce.“
L’Addelment “Vert L’Avenir” by João Ferreira
As part of its CSR “Green L’Avenir” CSR approach, AS Saint-Etienne offers each of its employees, including its players, to engage on one of the four axes of its ASSE Coeur-Vert association: environment, citizenship, sport for all and health.
This season, João Ferreira will participate in actions relating to the environment.
