Official! Palhinha betrays Sporting, explains Benfica choice: key | OneFootball

João Palhinha was presented this Wednesday as a new Benfica signing, putting pen to paper on a contract valid until June 2030 and being protected by a €50 million release clause. The 31-year-old midfielder, who was also targeted by Sporting in this transfer window, explained the reasons that led him to return to Portugal through the door of their rival.

At the presentation, the Portugal international highlighted the importance of Marco Silva, with whom he worked at Fulham. “It was a huge pleasure to work with him and to work with him again now at Benfica. (...) And working with a coach who already knows me from the past, even when I was still in the academy and later on when he was with me at Fulham, also carried a lot of weight in my decision, that is the truth.”

Asked about his choice of Benfica, Palhinha pointed above all to his family and the strong commitment shown by the club’s hierarchy. “Only my family and I truly know what I had to give up to be here. (...) The family side, above all, together with the determination shown by the club’s structure, as I mentioned, in wanting me here, were the main factors in my decision to return to my country.”

The former Sporting player also recalled his development path and assured that he remains grateful to the clubs he represented throughout his career. “I went through my journey with great pride at every club I played for, always with enormous respect, and many gave me a lot, added a lot to my life, without a doubt, and I am always grateful to every club I have been at, especially those where I developed as a young player.”

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