Benfica break Portuguese record for Rafa Silva

Lisbon (AFP) – Attacking midfielder Rafa Silva, who was crowned champion of Europe with Portugal during the summer, has just signed a five year deal with Portuguese giants Benfica Lisbon. 

Benfica broke the Portuguese transfer record to table a 15 million euros (£13 million) deal for the Sporting Braga man completing the most expensive transfer in Portuguese history.

The 23-year-old had been strongly linked with rivals Porto, but the local press all announced that Silva had opted for the Lisbon giants and three-time defending champions.

In addition to the transfer fee, which surpasses the record amount Porto spent for Joao Moutinho’s 11 million euro (£9 million) transfer from Lisbon in 2010, Benfica also offered Braga Rui Fonte as part of the deal according to the newspaper Record.

According to A Bola, the Portuguese champions could also loan out two wingers: Maroccan Mehdi Carcela and Argentinian Oscar Benitez.