Rafa Silva in, Andreas Schjelderup out at Benfica; Sporting complete Souleymane Faye signing; Braga snap up Demir Tiknaz | OneFootball

Photo: SLBenfica

Portugal’s top clubs have been making adjustments to their squads in the January transfer window, the headline-grabbing signing so far being the return to Benfica of forward Rafa Silva.

“I missed home,” said Rafa after putting pen to paper on a deal until June 2028. “I wanted to come back. The opportunity arose a few days ago and it ended up happening. “I’m very grateful to be back. I return with the same objectives: to win titles, work hard every day to be a better player and help us be a better team.”

Benfica president Rui Costa was delighted to bring the 32-year-old back into the fold at the Estádio da Luz. “Rafa was always a decisive player in the eight years he represented Benfica and he comes back home with the same spirit.”

After signing from Braga ahead of the 2016/17 season for what was then a record domestic fee among Portuguese clubs, Rafa Silva played a total of 326 games for Benfica, scoring 94 goals and providing 67 assists before moving to Besiktas in the summer of 2024.

Schjelderup’s Benfica days over

When Norwegian wonderkid Andreas Schjelderup was signed by Benfica four years ago he was tipped to make a huge impact at the Lisbon club and on Portuguese football.

But he has singularly failed to live up to the lofty expectations, making less than 50 appearances for the Eagles, most of them from the bench. Club Brugge are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Benfica for the permanent transfer of Schjelderup for a fee of around €11 million for the 21-year-old.

Sporting and Braga strengthen squads

Sporting have boosted their options on the wing by signing 22-year-old Senegalese winger Souleymane Faye from Granada, for a fee of €6.5 million.

Braga have also brought in a reinforcement in the shape of Turkish midfielder Demir Tiknaz. The 21-year-old returns to Portuguese football having impressed last season on loan at Rio Ave. Braga paid Besiktas €7 million for the player, who signs a four-year contract at the Quarry.