news-engine

Socceros defender Alessandro Circati has sealed his lucrative move from Serie A club Parma to Portuguese giant Benfica in a deal that runs through until 2031. The 22-year-old has moved for a reported $30m plus $3 million in performance related add-ons, continuing a remarkable week for the game in Australia following Lucas Herrington and Nestory Irankunda’s moves to Hull and Sporting, also in Portugal. The $33 million is a reported figure, but would draw him level with Herrington’s move to Hull as the biggest transfer in Australian football history. Having passed his medical in Lisbon overnight, he will arrive ready for the club’s Portuguese league title tilt, with Benfica going through last campaign undefeated under Jose Mourinho, but finishing third behind Porto and Sporting. Marco Silva has been appointed to replace Mourinho, who moved to Real Madrid. Bem-vindo, Circati ✍️ — SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) August 19, 2026 🇦🇺 Welcome! pic.twitter.com/ss3ogQQ6qO The classy defender has been in Italy since 2021 but with Parma finishing 13th last term, moves to a club that gives him access to European football through the Europea League, should Benfica get past Danish club AGF in qualifiers over the next week. “It’s a huge honour, a privilege. I’m over the moon, I couldn’t be happier. I think it’s a reward for many years of hard work. I’m so happy to be here, and I can’t wait to play for Benfica”, he said. He will now call the iconic Estadio da Luz home, and will take on Socceroos teammate Irankunda in one of the world’s most exciting derbies when Benfica take on Sporting. “I just took a look at it (the stadium) a moment ago. It’s incredible, and I’m very excited to play here,” he said. On his own style of play, he explained to his new fans: “I think I’m very adaptable. I can play any role as a center back, in a back four or a back three. Personally, I think I’m an aggressive player. I like to play up front, try to keep the ball, and dictate the pace of the game when we have the ball.” Last week, 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington joined Premier League side Hull City from Colorado Rapids in a move said to be worth $33m. Then, just days later, 20-year-old forward Nestory Irankunda joined Portuguese heavyweights Sporting CP for $24.5m as he was unveiled with an epic video based around his viral Michael Jackson-inspired celebration. Now, Circati will join the party, adding an Aussie flavour to Lisbon Derby between Sporting and Benfica with a Socceroo to be on either side ahead of this season. The move will be the latest step in a mercurial rise for the defender, who left Perth Glory to head to Parma in 2022. Still only 22 years old, he has already made nearly 100 appearances for the Serie A club across the top two flights of Italian football, amassed 17 caps for the Socceroos and become the nation’s youngest captain in 44 years. Circati played every minute for Australia at the World Cup, starting in all four matches against Turkiye, USA, Paraguay and Egypt, enhancing his reputation on the biggest stage and drawing renewed speculation over a transfer. Rumours linked him with a slew of clubs including Premier League outfit Newcastle United and LaLiga’s Atletico Madrid, but ultimately it seems he will land at Benfica to play under former Fulham boss Marco Silva and will get the chance to test himself in the Europa League. If the figures reported are to be believed, the move will almost certainly see him overtake Herrington as the most expensive Australian footballer of all time, once add-ons are incorporated.