Released Norwich City youngster Guilherme Montoia has returned to Portuguese football and joined Primeira Liga​ side Estrela da Amadora. 

The left back, 21, was freed from his contract at Carrow Road in August to allow him to search for a fresh opportunity after a period of assessment from Johannes Hoff Thorup throughout pre-season. 

Montoia also took up one of City's valuable GBE slots that enables them to sign more players outside of the work permit quota, with only a limited number available. 

After a period of searching for a new club, Montoia has returned to his home country to sign for the second-division side. Reports in Portugal suggest he will begin with their B side after putting pen to paper on a deal that runs until June 2026. 

That will see the ex-City man team up with former Manchester United winger Nani, who joined the club in the summer after a spell with Turkish side Adana Demirspor. 

City signed Montoia from Benfica on a free transfer in 2023, and the youngster made 10 league appearances for City’s under-21s in his single full season at the club, struggling with injuries. 

The defender featured under Thorup throughout City's Championship preparations but failed to impress enough to earn a spot in the first-team squad, with Norwich moving to sign left-sided pair Ben Chrisene and Callum Doyle as their frontline options. 

He featured in a series of friendlies, including meetings with Northampton Town and on their tour of Belgium in matches against Club Brugge and Standard Liege. 

Part of the decision to sanction his departure was to allow younger prospects more game time in their academy, with a number of left-sided defenders vying for opportunities under development squad boss Alan Neilson.

Estrela da Amadora were promoted to the top division last season and have won just one of their opening eight matches. Montoia could be in line to make his debut against Vitoria S.C. next Sunday.