Benfica snap up Inter Milan striker David Suazo

Honduran forward signs one-season loan deal

Benfica continue their impressive summer recruitment campaign with the capture of striker David Suazo from Inter Milan.

The Honduran arrives on a one-year loan deal and joins the likes of Pablo Aimar and Jose Antonio Reyes as some of the big names the Portuguese giants have been able to lure to the Estadio da Luz.

The Lisbon outfit have long been in the market for another striker with Luis Garcia from Espanyol a long-time target for the Eagles. Unable to secure a deal with the La Liga club, the Eagles turned their attentions to Italy.

Rumours had surfaced that Benfica were interested in the former Cagliari hotshot when Inter played the Portuguese side for the Eusebio Cup at the Estadio da Luz on August 15. With the club not making any headway with Espanyol’s Garcia, Benfica were forced to look for alternatives and Suazo was considered a good fit.

Italian Player of the Year

Suazo joined the Nerazzuri last year after spending eight seasons with Cagliari but was deemed excess to requirements at Inter under new coach Jose Mourinho. The 28-year-old, who was voted Player of the Year in Italy in 2006 (along with AC Milan’s Kaka) after registering 22 goals that season, made 23 appearances for Inter last season, scoring 8 goals.

While Mourinho preferred the striking partnership between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano during the team’s pre-season friendlies, the squad can also rely on Julio Cruz and Mario Balotelli, hence pushing Suazo down the pecking order.

The diminutive player is happy to make the switch and thanked the club’s director of football, Rui Costa, for making it all possible. “I am happy to be here. I thank Rui Costa as he convinced me of the wonderful project the club is undertaking. The negotiations went well,” stated Suazo at Lisbon’s Portela airport.

The striker, who arrived in the early hours (Lisbon time) and will be officially presented to the press later today, was radiant with joy at joining Benfica.

Championship aim

“I have a lot of will to collaborate with this excellent group and I know that the team also has a lot of will to win the championship this year. I am here to give my all, in all of my capacities, on the field and help the team achieve what the supporters want, which is to win the championship.”

“Benfica are a huge club. I am Honduran, and even back in my country they speak of the club. I know that they are an important club.”