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Socceroos defenders are all the rage in Europe with Alessandro Circati becoming the second to breach the Australian transfer record in a week. The 22-year-old centre-half has joined Portuguese giants Benfica on a five-year contract for a reported fee of $AU33 million - which is the same fee paid by Hull City to acquire Aussie teenager Lucas Herrington. Circati will play against Socceroos team-mate Nestory Irankunda in the famed Lisbon derby, with the flying winger joining Sporting last week for a fee just short of the Aussie record - reported to be $32.5 million. Socceroos captain Harry Souttar's 2023 move from Stoke City to Leicester City for $26 million was the previous Australian record. MORE: Will Lucas Herrington start for Hull City against Manchester United in Premier League opener? Circati - who enjoyed an impressive World Cup with the Socceroos - spent five seasons at Serie A's Parma, captaining the club on several occasions. He will now play in European competition this season with Benfica facing off in a Europa League playoff against AGF across two legs in the next two weeks. “I’m really excited to play here,” Circati told Portuguese television network BTV. “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. “I just took a look at it (the stadium) a moment ago. It’s incredible, and I’m very excited to play here.” Benfica - coached by former Premier League manager Marco Silva - didn't lost a league game last season under Jose Mourinho but finished third behind champions Porto and second-place Sporting.