Joao Gomes signs new two-year deal

Joao Gomes has committed his future to South Shields after signing a new two-year contract.

The forward made his breakthrough at first-team level in the 2022-23 season, making 23 appearances in all competitions and scoring four goals.

An SSFC Academy graduate, Gomes has been with the club since 2019 and is now looking to kick-on as he seeks to establish himself as a regular.

The Lisbon-born player said: “I’m buzzing to have signed a new deal and can’t wait to get back in for pre-season.

“I want to repay the manager for the faith he has shown in me and my goal is to show the fans what I’m really all about and that I’m capable of being a regular starter.

“I’ve learned so much during my time here and grown a lot as a player and a person.

“Since the moment I joined, this club has been like a family for me because everyone has treated me so well and helped me whenever I’ve needed it.

“I’m so grateful that I’ve got the chance to play for this club.”

South Shields manager Julio Arca said: “We’ve very happy to have Joao with us and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“We have some very talented young players in our squad and pre-season will be a great chance for us to look at them.

“Joao has earned this contract not just through what he did last season, but with all the hard work he also put in during his time in the Academy.

“He probably didn’t play as much as he would have wanted last season, but he is still young and knows there is still room for learning, and hopefully we can provide that to him this season.

“He knows how hard he needs to work to make a regular place in the first-team his own.”