In a short statement, União de Leiria thanks the way Mateus served the team last season, wishing the player "the greatest personal and professional success".
Mateus, 39 years old, was hired in December 2022 to help the team led by Vasco Botelho da Costa on the journey that would lead to the Leiria's rise to the II League and the League 3 title.
The footballer, however, ended up being little used, totaling seven matches in which he scored a goal.
This season, Mateus had been considered dispensable, and both parties have now reached an agreement to release him by mutual agreement.
Before representing União de Leiria, the striker played for clubs such as Torreense, Penafiel, Boavista, Arouca, Nacional, Gil Vicente and Lixa.
The player is linked to the 'Matthew case', which dates back to 2006, when, following a complaint from Belenenses, Gil Vicente was administratively demoted to the II League due to the alleged irregular use of the Angolan international. The Minho club appealed and, in July 2016, it was approved, with a decision being made to reintegrate it into the first division, which was completed in the 2019/20 season.
In the third round of the II League, União de Leiria is ranked in eighth place.
