Official! Rui Costa keeps busy, secures striker loan for Benfica | OneFootball

Benfica have secured the signing of Anisse Saidi, an 18-year-old forward, who joins the Club on loan until the end of the 2026/27 season, with the Eagles holding an option to buy. The young attacker will join Benfica’s Under-23 team after being linked with San Diego since 2025. It was precisely while playing for the North American club that Saidi made history by debuting for the first team at just 16 years old.

In recent months, the forward was on loan at Monterey Bay, where he made seven appearances and scored one goal. He is now preparing to make the leap to European football and wear the red shirt for the first time. Excited about the move, Saidi did not hide his ambition to reach the first team.

“It is a huge club and it is any player’s dream to play for a club of this size, with a huge stadium and fantastic fans. I bring dreams, ambitions, and Benfica has all the conditions to help me fulfil them as a player.”

The youth international, who holds dual Tunisian and American nationality, also revealed that he is impressed with his first experiences at the new club and expressed his desire to one day represent the Eagles’ first team.

“I come with great expectations. There are very good professionals here, I have already met some people and it has been fantastic. I have big dreams and I hope to be able to play for the first team.” Saidi also arrives with international experience for Tunisia. At the last Under-17 World Cup, the forward played in four matches and scored one goal.

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