Naval 1893 strengthen midfield with Cape Verde and Ivory Coast international Laurence Soares

Naval 1893 have signed Cape Verde and Ivory Coast midfielder Laurence Soares from Avintes on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old central midfielder completed the move on 28 August 2026 and has agreed a contract with the Portuguese club until 30 June 2027. Soares becomes part of the Naval 1893 squad competing in the Campeonato de Portugal’s Serie C.

Soares joins after spending the 2025-26 season with Avintes. He moved to the club from Vila FC on 1 July 2025, before switching to Naval 1893 at the start of the new campaign.

Born in Abidjan, Soares holds Cape Verdean and Ivorian nationality. He stands at 1.88m and is right-footed, with central midfield listed as his primary position.

His move to Avintes followed a spell at Vila FC, which began in January 2025 after he left Gens. He had joined Gens from Alfenense in July 2024, continuing a run of Portuguese club moves that also included Pacos de Brandao.

Soares began his recorded senior career with Pacos de Brandao in August 2022 and later moved through Alfenense, Gens, Vila FC and Avintes before arriving at Naval 1893. The transfer gives the club a midfielder with experience of several teams in the Portuguese football system.

Naval 1893 have secured the deal without a transfer fee, with Soares now tied to the club through the end of June 2027.