After four trophy-laden seasons in City blue, Portuguese defender Nuno Reis departs Melbourne City FC as a three-time Premier, one-time Champion, and a Club great, following the conclusion of his contract.
A product of the highly regarded Sporting Lisbon academy, Reis joined City in January 2021 and made 94 appearances across all competitions. He quickly proved to be a key signing, becoming an integral part of City’s defence during the Men’s team’s most successful era in Club history.
A versatile and reliable defender, Reis would earn ‘Club Great’ status as he and his teammates were crowned A-League Men’s Premiers for a historic three-consecutive season between 2021 and 2023, as well as winning the A-League Men’s Championship in 2021.
Following his City debut in February 2021, Reis immediately forged a brilliant defensive partnership with Curtis Good. Although his debut came in a loss away to Newcastle, City would go on a historic run of form, losing just one of its next 17 games (13W, 3D, 1L) enroute to securing its first-ever A-League Men’s Premiers Plate.
In what may go down as his most important contribution in City colours, the Portuguese defender denied Macarthur FC a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 2021 Semi Final with a fantastic goal-line block. City would go on to win that match 2-0 to earn a second-consecutive Grand Final appearance.
Reis would then play the full 90 minutes in the 2021 Grand Final a week later as City sealed its first-ever A-League Men’s Championship, completing a historic domestic double.
Known for his defensive prowess, Reis delighted City fans during his 89th appearance as he put his name on the scoresheet for the first time in a 7-0 win over Western Sydney – rising high from a corner to head home his one and only Melbourne City goal.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, said:
“Nuno has been a fantastic servant of the Club across his four seasons and his consistency has been crucial to our success.
“His leadership and passion both on and off the pitch has stood out and as a much-loved figure at the Club, he will certainly be missed.
“We thank him for his immense contributions and wish him all the best for the future. Nuno and his family will always be welcome at Melbourne City.”
Nuno Reis said:
“It’s a bittersweet feeling to be leaving a Club where I’ve made so many fond memories.
“This has been the best squad I’ve been a part of across my career and it’s been amazing to be part of such a highly successful era.
“My family and I have loved our time in Melbourne and would like to thank the City fans for welcoming us so openly from the start.”
