Official! Benfica sign left-footed goalkeeper for 2026/27 | OneFootball

Benfica have officially announced the signing of Afonso Roxo, a 17-year-old goalkeeper, who arrives from Académica to join the under-18 team. After representing the Coimbra club over the past two seasons, the left-handed shot-stopper explained that the decision to move to Luz was immediate.

"After a match, they called me here and I came to see the academy facilities. I thought it was incredible and didn’t think about anything else. I just wanted to come here," he revealed in statements to BTV. Visibly pleased with this new challenge, Afonso Roxo believes the transfer represents an important step in his career.

"I feel very happy to have arrived here. It’s a big step for me," said the young goalkeeper, who described himself as a "calm and confident" athlete. As for his goals at this new stage, Benfica’s new signing says he intends to keep developing and working to reach the highest level.

"My goal is to play, develop as a player and as a person, keep progressing and make my debut for the first team. I’m a player who works very hard. I really like working and improving. And that is, above all, what it means to represent Benfica," he stressed.

Before returning to Académica, the club he represented again over the last two seasons, Afonso Roxo also spent time at Casaense, Ançã, Red Eagle Sports and Vigor Mocidade. In the 2025/26 season he played 24 matches, performances that have now earned him the opportunity to wear the Benfica shirt.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.