[Qwerty]

Our list of speculation by the press until now: LOL

1. Diego Cavalieri (GR - Palmeiras)
2. Alex (MAC - Fenerbahçe)
3. Arouca (MAC - Fluminense)
4. Hélio Vaz (AV - Montijo) - OFFICIAL BENFICA NEW PLAYER
5. Pauleta (AV - PSG)
6. Jorge Ribeiro (DE - Boavista)
7. Ruben Amorim (MAC - Belenenses) - OFFICIAL BENFICA NEW PLAYER
8. Rolando (DC - Belenenses) - PORTO NEW PLAYER
9. Simão Sabrosa (Atl.Madrid)
10. Tiago (MAC - Juventus)
11. Thiago Neves (MAC - Fluminense)
12. Ricardo Rocha (DC - Tottenham)
13. Cohene (DC - Olhanense)
14. Carlos Martins (MAC - Huelva) - OFFICIAL BENFICA NEW PLAYER
15. Lazhar Hadj Aissa (MAE - ES Sétif)
16. Djalma (AV - Marítimo)
17. Zé Castro (DC - Atl.Madrid)
18. Duda (DE - Sevilla)
19. Roland Linz (AV - Braga)
20. Karim Ziani (MAE - Marselha)
21. Wendel Da Silva (AV - Bordéus)
22. Alejandro Alonso (MAC - Bordéus)
23. Cleiton (MAC - Larisa)
24. Geromel (DC-Guimaraes) - KOLN NEW PLAYER
25. Niculae (AV - Auxerre)
26. Paulo Assunção (MDC - Porto) - ATL. MADRID NEW PLAYER
27. Marco Caçeres (DC - Rancing Avallaneda)
28. Cadu (DC - Cluj)
29. Eduardo Costa (MC - Grémio)
30. João Aurelio (EE - Penalva do Castelo)
31. Carboni (MC - Salzbrug) - - CATANIA NEW PLAYER
32- Samuel Bouhours (DL - Le Mans)
33- Yohan Tavares (DL - Le Mans)
34- Mario Jardel (AV - Sem Clube) - CRICIÚMA NEW PLAYER
35- Renato Augusto (MOC - Flamengo)
36- Nicolae Dica (MOC - Steaua) - CATANIA NEW PLAYER
37- Luis Suarez (MAC - Ajax)
38- Mamadou Niang (AC - Marselha)
39- Omar Bravo (AC - Chivas) - DEPORTIVO NEW PLAYER
40- Pedro Mendes (MDC - Portsmouth)
41- Gökhan Gönül (DD - Fenerbahce)
42- Serge N'Gal (AC - Leiria)
43- Zoltan Gera (MAD - West Bromwich) - FULHAM NEW PLAYER
44- Fabio Rochemback (MDC - Middlesbrough) - SPORTING NEW PLAYER
45- Benny McCarthy (AV - Blackburn)
46- Giovani dos Santos (MOC - Barcelona) - TOTTENHAM NEW PLAYER
47- Roberto Soldado (AC - Real Madrid)
48- Fabrizio Miccoli (AC - Palermo)
49- Wesley (AC - P.Ferreira)
50- João Pereira (DD - Braga)
51- Manucho (AC - Panathinaikos)
52- Thiago Silva (DC - Fluminense)
53- Yoan Gouffran (MAD - Caen) - BORDEUS NEW PLAYER
54- Reyes (AC - Atl.Madrid)
55- Rafik Djebbour (AC - Panionios)
56- Albelda (MDC - Valencia)
57- Luis Garcia (MAD - Atl.Madrid)
58- Vicente (MAE - Valencia)
59- Pawel Golanski (DE - Steaua)
60- Marco Caneira (DC - Valencia) - SPORTING NEW PLAYER
61- Hassan Yebda (MC - Le Mans) - OFFICIAL BENFICA NEW PLAYER
62- German Denis (AC - Independiente) - NAPOLI NEW PLAYER
63- Diego Buonanotte (MAC - River Plate)
64- Jaime Gavilán (MAE - Valencia)
65- Jorge Valdivia (MAC - Palmeiras)
66- Adrian Ropotan (MAC - Din. Bucarest)
67- Yassine Chikhaoui (AC - Zurique)
68- Danilinho (MAD - Atlético Mineiro)
69- Sérgio Garcia (AC - Saragoça)
70- Negredo (AC - Almería)
71- De la Red (MDC - R.Madrid)
72- Granero (MAC - R.Madrid)
73- Cléber Santana (MAC - Atl.Madrid)
74- Damián Escudero (MAC - Velez)
75- Julien Toudic (AC - Caen)
76- Kamel Ghilas (MAC - V.Guimarães)
77- Hugo Viana (MAC - Osasuna)
78- Roberto Ayala (DC - Saragoça)
79- Fabiano Eller (DC - Atl.Madrid) - SANTOS NEW PLAYER
80- Uche (AC - Getafe)
81- Sinama-Pongolle (AC - Huelva) - ATL.MADRID NEW PLAYER / ON LOAN TO RACING
82- Fernando Morientes (AC - Valencia)
83- Cata Diaz (DC - Getafe)
84- David Suazo (AC - Inter)
85- Diogo (AC - Portuguesa de Desportos)
86- Aimar (MAC - Real Saragoza)
87- Augusto Fernández (MAD - River Plate)
88- Radamel Falcão García (MAC - River Plate)
89- Sidnei (DC - Internacional de Porto Alegre)
90- Miguel (DD - Valencia)
91- Geoffrey Dernis (MAC - St. Étienne)
92- Balboa (MAD - Real Madrid) - OFFICIAL BENFICA NEW PLAYER
93- Rafael Sobis (AC - Betis)
94- Odonkor (MAD - Betis)
95- Roger Guerreiro (MAC - Legia)
96- Leandro Benítez (MAC -Estudiantes)
97- Gourkas Seitaridis (DD - Atl. Madrid)
98- Jordi Codina (GR - R.Madrid)
99- Christian Wilhelmsson (MAE - Nantes)
100- Jonás Gutierrez (MAE - Maiorca) - NEWCASTLE NEW PLAYER
101- Tony (DD - CFR Cluj)
102- Elkeson (MAC - Vitória da Bahia)
103- Jonathan Urretavizcaya (MAC - River Plate) - OFFICIAL BENFICA NEW PLAYER

(...)

(to be continued... )
[Last update: 03/07/08]

*Official Benfica Players

[Qwerty]

Benfica complete Hassan Yebda capture.
Bids rejected from England, Germany & Italy to join Eagles.


Hassan Yebda and Rui Costa

Hassan Yebda has signed a deal with Benfica which will see the midfielder at the Lisbon club for the next four years. The former Le Mans player joins the Eagles on a free transfer as his deal with the Ligue 1 outfit had expired.

The Algerian becomes Benfica’s second signing, after Ruben Amorim, and is excited to get a new start with the Portuguese giants. “I am very happy to be here,” said the radiant defensive midfielder.

“This is a club with a huge history and with many titles won. It’s an honour to play for Benfica. It’s true that we were negotiating for some weeks. There were many other clubs who wanted me from England, Germany and Italy, but I decided to play for Benfica because their project impressed me greatly.

“I have to thank Rui Costa, the coach and the president who have welcomed me warmly,” added the 24-year-old.

With the addition of Yebda, questions will be asked as to the future of current midfielder Katsouranis. The Greek international, who is preparing for Euro 2008 with Greece, has stated that has been looking to leave the club ever since his animated altercation with central defender Luisao back in January.

However, Benfica’s director of football, Rui Costa, made it clear that Yebda was not brought in as Katsouranis’ substitution, but rather to boost the current set of players that make up the squad.

Benfica complete Hassan Yebda capture || Portuguese football/soccer

[Qwerty]

Rodriguez on his way out

Benfica's official website put out a statement that Cristian Rodriguez will not be a part of next season's plans as they failed to agree on common terms. The club have said that the player and his agent demanded exigent figures to continue, which was not accepted by Benfica.

The Uruguayan winger was a key player during last season's campaign and many fans will be disappointed in his departure. It is rumoured his future may still lie in Portugal with a rival club.

Porto move

Rodriguez has accepted a 4-year contract with rivals FC Porto and will continue to play in the Liga BWIN. The champions took the opportunity left open by Benfica to sign the winger.

[Torque]

Cheer up mate. I'm sure Benfica will find a replacement. It's painful when one of your key players leaves you for your rival, but I'm sure everything will be ok.

[Qwerty]

Benfica Complete Balboa Deal.
Benfica have completed the signing of Javier Balboa from Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has agreed to join the Portuguese outfit on a four-year contract and is expected to be formally announced by the club still today.

Balboa found playing time extremely limited at Real Madrid and is hoping this new challenge will reignite his career.

The Equatorial Guinea international will be brought into the team to play as a right-sided winger, a position filled last season by Maxi Pereira without much success.

Although Balboa's asking price is set at €6 million, it is believed that Real Madrid have accepted a lower fee to secure a buy-back clause attached to his contract.

The ex-Racing Santander player has now become Benfica's third signing of the summer after Ruben Amorim and Hassan Yebda.

Goal.com - Real Madrid - Benfica Complete Balboa Deal

[Qwerty]

Benfica Want Miccoli Return

The Italian striker spent two season on loan at Estádio da Luz from 2005 to 2007, enjoying immediate success in Portugal and becoming one of the fan's favourite players.

However, the €5 million price tag set by Juventus, as well as his wish to return to Italy, made the 28-year-old opt for a move to Serie A side Palermo in 2007.

News sources in Italy have suggested Miccoli to be unhappy with life at Renzo Barbera and to have requested a transfer move, and Benfica are ready to splash the cash to bring in the Italian international.

Miccoli made 22 appearances for Palermo this season, netting a total of nine goals.

Goal.com - Portugal - Benfica Want Miccoli Return

[funkdoctorspock]

Qwerty,

when does pre season begin for Benfica? And do you know if they are planning of doing a preseason tour anywhere?

[Qwerty]

Originally Posted by funkdoctorspock

Qwerty,

when does pre season begin for Benfica? And do you know if they are planning of doing a preseason tour anywhere?

our pre season begins 7 July, in our Football Training Centre near Lisbon...
at 16th august we gonna play a friendly match against Inter Milan at estadio da luz, and then we gonna play some tournaments before new season begins...usually we goes to switzerland for a pre season tour, but now we have a excelente training center so i dont know yet..

[Qwerty]

Carlos Martins for 5 years
The official SL Benfica website has confirmed the club will be counting on 26-year old Carlos Martins from this season, signing a 5 year contract.

The two-time capped Portuguese International began his career at Sporting CP in 2002 with a couple of loan spells, but moved to La Liga last season where he made 32 league appearances for Recreativo Huelva and scored 6 goals.

Benfica have acquired 100% of the players' rights, which 40% of the €3m went to rivals Sporting. The midfielder was presented at the Benfica's press room today.

"Everyone knows that I started my career in Sporting. Above all, it was a cycle which has now finished, and a new one will begin. I hope to be happy here and win titles for Benfica."

"I'm grateful for the confidence Benfica have shown me and I'm here to work hard in all training sessions and matches."

Rui Costa pleased

"Carlos Martins is a player that I have always liked. His characteristics are right to succeed here in Portugal. I was very happy when Quique Flores was interested in the possibility of signing the player."

"As soon as he received our offer he showed great enthusiasm to play for the club, which is the kind of players we are looking for in Benfica."

[Torque]

Found these vids. The lad has a great shot.