Benfica seal Makukula capture

Portugal striker signs long-term contract at Estadio da Luz

Benfica finally overcame all obstacles and made the transfer of striker Ariza Makukula official by presenting him to the press yesterday.

The Portugal international arrives on a four and a half year deal worth 3.5 million euros, with Benfica inserting a 40m euro buyout clause into the player’s contract.

Makukula has been playing on loan with Maritimo from Sevilla this season and has notched 7 goals in league play this year. The Congolese-born forward was ecstatic with the transfer, and took time to thank all those who made the deal possible.

“It’s the dream of any player in football to be at a club as big as Benfica. I do not know how to explain the excitement I feel at this moment,” said the overjoyed striker. “This is a very important step in my life after all that has happened to me in football. It is an enormous reward from God.”

“I have experienced many difficult moments. I have to thank the Benfica president, Luis Filipe Vieira, because he fought a lot for me to be here. It was very difficult, but I will respond and thank the club on the pitch. I would also like to thank the president of Maritimo because in the end he came to an agreement with Benfica.”

International team-mates

The new Benfica number 38 is also excited to reunite with some of his international colleagues such as Petit, Quim and Nuno Gomes, and cannot wait to take to the field alongside his new team-mates.

“Nuno Gomes is a great professional. He is our captain on the national team and he is my captain at Benfica. If we can both play together, it would be an honour, but everyone is here to fight for the same thing – to gain points for Benfica.”

Finally, Makukula sent out a warning to FC Porto that he and his new team would not give up on trying to win the championship despite the 8-point deficit to the current leaders.

“Everything is possible in football. Benfica is in second place and are a big club. I don’t have to say it to anyone as everyone knows this. The Pantera is here (Eusebio was sitting alongside Makukula at the press conference). I think that the championship is still not decided.”

In other team news, the club announced the signing of Algerian U21 Rafik Halliche. The central defender has signed until 2011, but is expected to be loaned out to Nacional in the near future. The Madeira club already house two of the Lisbon side’s players in Fabio Coentrao and Joao Coimbra.


Related: Related: Makukula PortuGOAL profile