Rafa Silva returns to Benfica, thanks Besiktas: "Thank you…" | OneFootball

Rafa Silva - who continues to make headlines - turned to social media to post a farewell message to Besiktas, shortly after the Turkish club confirmed the forward’s return to Benfica. The message was addressed to the players, staff, and fans, but notably left out the Istanbul club’s management.

"I want to thank all the players, staff, and fans of Besiktas. The way you supported me and the love you showed me were truly incredible, and I will be forever grateful for that. All the best to you," he wrote in his Instagram stories.

It should be recalled that Rafa Silva was officially announced by Benfica last Thursday. In a statement shared on the official website of the Eagles, the following information can be read: "The forward Rafa, 32 years old, is a reinforcement for the professional football team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica", thus confirming his return.

Rafa leaves Besiktas for a fee of around €7.5 million and signs a contract with the Eagles valid for two and a half seasons. The attacker has not played since November 2, and the main concern now is to recover both physically and technically a player who has an open door to Mourinho’s starting eleven, who has long been asking for a winger, either on the left or right side. Rafa can also play behind the striker.

This season, while at Besiktas, Rafa Silva — valued at five million euros — played 16 official matches: 10 in the Turkish League, four in the Conference League, and two in the Europa League qualifying stage. In the 1,360 minutes played, the player scored five goals and provided three assists.

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