Official: João Palhinha signs for Benfica | OneFootball

João Palhinha returns to Lisbon, signing a 4-year contract for Benfica (Photo: slbenfica.pt)

After weeks of speculation, Benfica have completed the signing of João Palhinha. The Lisbon club paid Bayern Munich €14 million plus a potential €5 million in add-ons for the Portugal midfielder. Palhinha signs a four-year contract and returns to Portuguese football after several years abroad.

The combative midfielder came through the ranks at Sporting. After spending several seasons on loan at Moreirense, Belenenses and Braga, he returned to Alvalade where he won the Liga Portugal championship and the Taça da Liga in 2020/21.

In July 2022 Palhinha moved to England, signing for Fulham where he spent several successful seasons working alongside the current Benfica coach Marco Silva.

His excellent displays at Fulham earned him a big-money move to German giants Bayern Munich, but Palhinha struggled to make an impression at the Bavarian club, and he was back in England last season, playing for Tottenham Hotspur on loan.

Now 31 years old, Palhinha returns to Lisbon, admitting that talks with Marco Silva were crucial in his decision. “Nothing can make me happier than being at a club that aims to win big trophies and being able to celebrate them near my family.”

Palhinha will be hoping to get back into the Seleção setup having missed out on the 2026 World Cup. He played in the previous three major tournaments Portugal took part in (Euro 2020, World Cup 2022 and Euro 20224) as well as the 2024/25 Nations League triumph.