Rui Costa signals exit for Benfica creative midfielder Tomás Cruz | OneFootball

Rui Costa has signalled that Benfica are preparing to part with 21-year-old attacking midfielder Tomás Cruz, according to Glorioso 1904.

Cruz joined in 2024 and featured across the youth set-up, chiefly for the Under-23s and the second string under Nélson Veríssimo. He was not selected by Marco Silva for senior pre-season.

Competition for the No 10 role is the key factor. Georgiy Sudakov, Rafa Silva and Gonçalo Moreira are ahead in the pecking order for the former Fulham manager.

Cruz attracted interest from abroad in the winter window. Hannover 96 and Magdeburg were the most attentive, while leading clubs from Denmark and Kazakhstan also tracked him.

Valued at €450,000, the Luxembourg international played 30 matches for Benfica’s second team last season, 26 in Liga Portugal 2 Meu Super and four in the Premier League International Cup. He logged 1,550 minutes, with no goals or assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904