2 July 2007, by Marco Pereira

Gonzalo Bergessio completes Benfica switch

Striker expects “quick adaptation and lots of goals”

The transfer of Argentinian striker Gonzalo Bergessio to Benfica has been made official. The player touched down at Lisbon’s Portela Airport on Sunday to report for duty as the team begins pre-season training today.

There was much speculation about whether the player was to arrive as his former club, Racing Avellaneda, made a last-ditch attempt to persuade him to stay by offering a tempting contract that would see him receive over 500,000 euros a year.

But the player rejected the improved personal terms in order to make the move to the Portuguese giants. “I am very happy to be here,” said the 22-year-old.

“I have arrived to work hard and become a champion with Benfica. This is what I have come searching for. I have sacrificed a lot. I expect to adapt quickly and score lots of goals which is what a striker looks to do.”

The player confessed he had been using the Internet to get better acquainted with the club. “There’s Rui Costa and Nuno Gomes, and a lot of good players. Benfica have a competitive team. I am very happy to be here with the likes of these figures.”

Ferreira accepts loan move to Bulgaria

In other team news, Benfica are continuing to clean house after they loaned out winger Marco Ferreira to CSKA Sofia.

The loan deal lasts until the end of the upcoming season, but if the Portuguese player impresses then the Bulgarian outfit have an option to make the deal permanent.