New England Soccer Today

Maritimo Makes Bid for Revs Target Heldon

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Sporting CP winger Heldon is on the verge of making a move. But he isn’t headed to New England.

On Saturday, Heldon’s former club, Maritimo, has exercised the right of first refusal clause contained in the transfer agreement with Sporting CP in a move to reacquire him.

According to a release from Sporting CP on Saturday, Maritimo was notified that a loan offer for Heldon’s services had been received from another club – presumably the Revolution. In compliance with the January 2014 transfer deal, the Lisbon-based club gave Maritimo the first chance to make an offer, which they did shortly after Revolution general manager Michael Burns and assistant coach Tom Soehn met with Sporting CP officials.

The loan offer with Maritimo, though, does require Heldon’s consent, which as of Saturday, had not yet been given since he is in camp with the Cape Verde National Team.

The 26-year-old midfielder/forward spent four seasons (2010-14) with Maritimo, where he scored 15 goals in 82 matches. He was transferred to Sporting in January of 2014 for 1.5 million euros, with a buyout clause of 45 million euros.

Maritimo occupies the 11th spot (20 points) on the Portuguese Liga table.

Earlier this week, Burns and Soehn flew to Lisbon to meet with Sporting CP officials to reportedly discuss loan targets, including Heldon. The Cape Verde International had only seen action in two Liga matches this season with Nani firmly holding the starting left midfielder’s spot for the Leoes.

Last Sunday, Heldon scored from the spot for Cape Verde in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw to Tunisia, and came on as a substitute in the squad’s 0-0 draw to DR Congo after suffering from a toothache. Heldon and the Blue Sharks head into Monday’s match against Zambia needing a win to advance out of group play.

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