Joana Silva leaves Benfica to join fourth-placed Valadares Gaia on permanent deal | OneFootball

Joana Silva has joined Valadares Gaia on a permanent deal after her Benfica contract was terminated last month. The league's fourth-placed side had borrowed the Portuguese defender for the second half of last season.

She made six appearances for Valadares in 2025/26, convincing the club to secure her for the coming seasons.

Silva joined Benfica in 2020/21 and progressed through the youth ranks and the B team. She made her senior debut for the first team in 2021/22.

In 2024/25 she featured 18 times and scored three goals for the Eagles. This season she played two matches and scored once before moving to Valadares on loan in January.

Benfica confirmed her departure on 12 June after agreeing to terminate her contract. During her time at the club she won four Ligas BPI, one Taça de Portugal, one Taça da Liga, the Campeonato Nacional da Segunda Divisão with the B team, and the Liga Sub-19.

Source: Glorioso 1904