Congratulations to Shanghai Port! Two major summer-window signings set to make their debuts this month_Grau_AFC Champions League_Miguel Campos

Congratulations to Shanghai Port! The two major new signings brought in during the summer transfer window are finally set to make their appearances and take on important roles in the AFC Champions League opening round this month, which has given fans something to look forward to. After facing Guoan, Shanghai Port have a valuable break of nearly ten days. At 18:00 on September 15, the team will begin their AFC Champions League Elite opening-round campaign away against Ratchaburi. Last season, Shanghai Port struggled in the AFC Champions League Elite, recording four draws and four defeats in eight matches without a win. Together with their final five matches of the 2024/25 season, when they had one draw and four losses, their winless run across seasons has extended to 13 matches, leaving the club under considerable pressure.

During this year's summer transfer window, Shanghai Port specifically brought in two foreign players for the central and defensive areas, Jaume Grau and Miguel Campos, to strengthen their defense for the AFC Champions League. This move showed the team's determination to change their fortunes in international competition. This means both Grau and Campos will make their debut for the club in this AFC Champions League round, something that many fans are eagerly anticipating. The saying that opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared also applies to Grau.

Grau first joined Tianjin Jinmen Tiger this season. The club gave him opportunities to play as a starter, but Grau failed to make a strong impression there and struggled to adapt, unable to show his expected level in matches. As a result, Jinmen Tiger removed Grau's registration eligibility for the Chinese Super League, and Shanghai Port later decided to sign him.

Shanghai Port hope to bring in Grau specifically for AFC Champions League duties and have him play a leading role in matches. Grau may find a breakthrough at Shanghai Port, which is something many fans are looking forward to. Campos is expected to play as a starting center-back when Shanghai Port compete in the AFC Champions League. At this position, Jiang Guangtai and Wu Mitiijiang both have injury concerns, and the team hopes Campos can take on an important role in the competition.

In summary, if Shanghai Port can make good use of these two center-backs in the AFC Champions League, the team could experience a strong resurgence. Vargas has reportedly spoken about saying goodbye to his former club and teammates! It was claimed that he would directly transfer back to Shanghai Port during the September Chinese Super League break to play a key role, stating that the annual salary offered in the new contract was impossible to refuse; this report was later denied.