30 May 2007, by Marco Pereira

Benfica confirm David Luiz signing

Brazilian starlet pens five-year deal “despite better offers”

Benfica have confirmed their third signing for next season when the club exercised the option on central defender, David Luiz. The young Brazilian has put pen to paper and will remain with the club for the next five seasons.

Luiz was a revelation this season. Having been brought in as a replacement for Ricardo Rocha, he grabbed his opportunity by the throat when Luisao went down with a knee injury that put him out for the remainder of the season.

The Brazilian could not be happier with the deal as he admits that his goal was always to sign permanently with the Lisbon club despite rumours sprouting that FC Porto were interested in snatching him away from the Eagles.

“I don’t know anything about that. They are just rumours.” confessed Luiz. “I had offers from other countries, but in Portugal, it was only Benfica.”

“I had better financial offers, but my aim was always to wear the Benfica jersey. I know what my responsibilities are to play at this club and I will seek to do my best next season.”

“I’m very happy to have signed a contract with Benfica. It was this club that I always wanted to play for and now I can go on holiday with a clear head.”

In other team news, rumours refuse to go away surrounding goalkeeper Moretto making a move to Greece, and in particular to AEK Athens.

The Brazilian shot stopper has endured a frustrating season having spent most of his time on the bench and has let it be known that he would welcome a move instead of spending another season watching from the sidelines.

The two teams clubs share a good relationship having recently agreed the transfer of Manduca, and the Greek outfit are now looking to take on another of Benfica’s players.

Moretto is expected to fetch around one million euros, and the move makes sense for all parties involved as Moretto is third in the pecking order behind Quim and Moreira.