26 July 2007, by Marco Pereira & Tom Kundert

Atletico Madrid buy Simao Sabrosa

Benfica captain joins Portuguese trio in Spanish capital

Benfica have sold their captain, talisman and fans’ idol, Simao Sabrosa, to Atletico Madrid for 20 million euros plus two players to be named later.

The buyout clause for the Portuguese winger was set at 25 million euros, but the addition of the two players may well raise the value beyond this sum.

Benfica fans will be devastated with the loss, as well as coach Fernando Santos who only last week said: “Losing Simao would be a nightmare. He’s like having three players in one. I don’t even want to think about it.”

However, speculation that the Portugal international would try his luck abroad again after one unsuccessful season with Barcelona in 2000/01 has refused to die down over the past two years.

The classy wideman was close to leaving the club on two separate occasions in each of the last two seasons, first to Liverpool and then to Valencia. He will now join a trio of Portuguese players at the Vicente Calderon as Maniche, Costinha and Ze Castro all joined the club last season.

Despite losing star striker Fernando Torres to Liverpool, Atletico have invested the huge transfer fee received to strengthen several areas of their squad as they attempt to make a serious challenge for the La Liga title. Diego Forlan, Luis Garcia, Cleber Santana and now Simao Sabrosa have all moved to the Spanish capital.

Players that might head to Benfica as part of the deal include Maxi Rodriguez or Martin Petrov, while there is also a suggestion that former Benfica and Porto midfielder Maniche may be returning to the Estadio da Luz.


Related: Simao proud of Atletico interest
Related: Atletico admit swoop for Simao
Related: Simao Sabrosa PortuGOAL profile