Official! Centre-back rejects new deal, leaves Benfica for Catalonia | OneFootball

It’s official. Benfica have announced Mauro Furtado’s departure to Girona. The Eagles reached an agreement with the Spanish club for the permanent transfer of the young centre-back, while retaining 50 percent of any future capital gain.

At 18, he leaves the Club of Light after 13 seasons wearing the eagle on his chest, having completed all of his development at Benfica. The deal could bring in around one million euros for 50 percent of the player’s economic rights. During his time through Benfica’s youth ranks, the centre-back won one National Under-15 Championship, two Under-17 titles, and one National Under-19 Championship.

Mauro Furtado’s success was not limited, however, to Benfica. The young defender also rose to prominence with the national teams and enjoyed a particularly remarkable year in 2025, becoming European and World Under-17 champion with Portugal.

In the 2025/26 season, the centre-back split his campaign between Benfica’s Under-19 and Under-23 teams. Playing for the juniors, he made 17 appearances and scored three goals, while he featured in six matches for the Under-23 side. The departure of Mauro Furtado comes after Glorioso 1904 reported that the player did not want to renew his contract with Benfica, despite several attempts by the Rui Costa-led SAD to extend his deal.

The future now lies with Girona, where the young centre-back is expected to continue his development. The Catalan club intend to invest in the defender and see him as a solution for the future, at a time when they are looking to return to the top tier of Spanish football.

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