Shaffer & Patric delighted with moves

Full-backs committed to the cause

Benfica officially presented latest recruits Jose Shaffer and Patric Cabral Lalau and the pair are excited to have joined the Lisbon outfit, and attested that they will do everything to help the club win the title this season.   

The 23-year-old Shaffer arrived from Racing Avellaneda and is anxious to get to work, and feels that the Argentine contigent at Benfica will help greatly with his adaptation.

"(Benfica) are a big club and I came here to be a champion. I will give everything I have for this shirt," stated the left-back.

"I have encountered a very good group (Di Maria, Aimar and Saviola), including all the Portuguese players. I have been well received by all and I am very happy."

As for Patric, the former Sao Caetano player echoed his newest team-mate's sentiments and admits to already knowing a little bit about coach Jorge Jesus.

"I have a colleague at Sporting Braga and he spoke very highly of him," admitted the 20-year-old. "Benfica are a team who fights to win titles and I hope to provide a lot of happiness to the club."

Rui Costa debriefs on Gomes, Katso and Reyes

Benfica's director of football Rui Costa was present at the unveiling and did offer insight into the situations of Nuno Gomes, Katsouranis and Jose Antonio Reyes.

News had broken that midfielder Katsouranis is on his way to joining Panathinaikos and the Benfica executive confirmed that the Greek international would be leaving the club, and that he is currently working on the futures of the other two.

"At this moment, he (Katsouranis) is the only one leaving and, in principal, is no longer a Benfica player," said Rui Costa.

"As for Nuno Gomes, Benfica have no intention of allowing his contract to terminate and his situation will be resolved today, as per both parties. The duration of his contract will be announced tomorrow."

"With respect to Reyes, if we have the possibility to continue with him, we will do so. If we do not, then we will have to let this great player go."

by Marco Pereira.