The 31-year-old, who scored the Gers' winner in last year's Scottish Cup final against Falkirk as well as the goal which clinched the 2005 Scottish Premier League title, turned down a new contract with the club in favour of pursuing first-team football in his homeland.

Novo scored nine times last season despite being limited largely to substitute appearances, starting just 14 SPL games.

He notched 72 times in 253 appearances - almost half of which came from the bench - during his time in Glasgow.

He has signed a two-year deal with Sporting, who finished 15th in the Primera Division this season.

Novo becomes the third senior player to leave Ibrox this summer, following DaMarcus Beasley and Steven Smith.