In a soccer world where everything is leaked and transfers are announced before they are signed, FC Porto achieved the unthinkable: presenting Luuk de Jong as their new signing without anyone seeing it coming. Not even Fabrizio Romano, the leading figure in transfer journalism, anticipated this bombshell that exploded at Do Dragao and broke with the routine of the transfer market.

An old-school presentation

During the team presentation for the 2025-26 season, just before the friendly match against Atlético Madrid, Porto played its ace in the hole: Luuk de Jong, wearing the number 26 jersey, appeared on the pitch without warning.
The 34-year-old Dutch striker signed as a free agent after his contract with PSV Eindhoven expired, and did so in total media silence. A masterstroke by the Portuguese club that took everyone by surprise.

No rumors, no leaks: the ghost signing

At a time when Fabrizio Romano and insiders are watching every move and monitoring every player, De Jong's case was a glorious anomaly.
No rumors, no clues, no cryptic posts: just a stellar appearance at the stadium that brought back memories of the old days of soccer, when announcements were just that: announcements, not spoilers.

Numbers that prove its validity

In his last season with PSV, De Jong scored 18 goals and made 13 assists. Far from thinking about retirement, he arrives at Porto with renewed enthusiasm and plenty of experience, looking to make his mark on Portuguese football. And he does so as a true “phantom signing,” escaping the radar of even the most knowledgeable insiders.