New Barcelona signing Andre Gomes was dumped by Porto at age 15

New Barcelona signing Andre Gomes was dumped by Porto at age 15

Andre Gomes, Barcelona's new signing, is considered one of the best players to come out of Benfica's academy, but few know that he started his career with their rivals, Porto, who got rid of him at just 15 years old. 

Gomes, born on July 30, 1993, in Grijo, a neighbourhood of Vila Nova de Gaia, a city famous for its wine, next to Oporto with only the river Duero separating the two.

As a child in the late 90s and early 2000s, he saw Porto win the Uefa Cup (03), and the Champions League (2004), under Jose Mourinho. Porto were in fashion and the majority of kids would have died to play in their cantera. 

Gomes did it, entering at nine years old. He went up through the categories until he got to 15. He was captain, had excellent technique and a calm temperament. 

"Technically he stood out. He was good at passing and shooting, using both feet, including to take corners," Aderito Pedrosa, a friend of Barcelona's new signing, told Maisfutebol.

However, the club decided not to keep either Gomes or Pedros and they left to Pasteleira. From there Gomes went to Boavista, between 2009 and 2011, and then eventually was captured by Benfica in 2011-12.

Gomes broke into the Benfica team, helping them win the treble in 2014, before moving to Valencia and now Barcelona.