Official! Benfica talent nets €3.5m, joins Ligue 1's sixth side (Video) | OneFootball

It’s official. Benfica have confirmed the departure of Gonçalo Oliveira, the young centre-back who will continue his career at Rennes. The deal brings in 3.5 million euros for the Eagles and marks the end of a 15-year connection between the player and the Lisbon club.

The transfer was initially revealed by journalist Fabrizio Romano, who shared a photo of the player already wearing the French club’s shirt, even before Rennes made it official. The Portuguese centre-back signed a contract with the French side until 2031.

At just 19 years old, Gonçalo Oliveira was seen as one of Benfica’s most promising academy talents. Over the past few years, he trained several times with the first team and was included in matchday squads, but he never made an official appearance for Benfica.

In his farewell, the young defender shared an emotional message on social media. "After 15 years with the eagle on my chest, the time has come to close this very special chapter of my life. They were years of growth, learning, challenges and achievements that I will carry with me forever", he wrote.

Gonçalo Oliveira also took the opportunity to thank everyone who was part of his journey. "I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, staff, directors, fans and everyone who, in one way or another, was part of this journey and contributed to my path. Benfica will always be an important part of my story. Thank you for everything", the message reads. Benfica also reacted to the defender’s departure, publicly wishing their former prospect all the very best for the future.

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