João Palhinha has officially completed a transfer to Portuguese club Benfica from Bayern Munich following negotiations that lasted over a month.
The 31-year-old midfielder signed a contract through to June 2030 with the Lisbon side. Benfica agreed to pay German club Bayern Munich an initial transfer fee of 14 million euros, with an additional 5 million euros dependent on performance-related objectives. The agreement includes a release clause set at 50 million euros.
According to reporting by Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, Palhinha will earn a gross annual salary of 5 million euros at the Estádio da Luz, equivalent to 2.5 million euros net. The figure represents roughly half of his previous earnings at Bayern Munich.
Financial Sacrifices and Family Reasons
Speaking to official club channels, Palhinha confirmed that he chose Benfica over financially more lucrative offers. He explained that only he and his family truly understood what he had to give up to make the move, adding that while deciding was difficult due to the factors involved, family considerations were paramount.
The midfielder emphasized that the determination shown by Benfica leadership proved decisive in his return to Portugal. He highlighted the persistent efforts of both club president Rui Costa and manager Marco Silva as primary reasons for his decision.
Reunion with Marco Silva and Seixal History
The move reunites Palhinha with manager Marco Silva, who previously coached him at English Premier League side Fulham. Palhinha expressed delight at working with Silva again, describing him as a manager who knows him very well, understands what he can contribute, and helped maximize his potential in England. Silva also affirmed his belief that Palhinha will add something important to the Benfica squad.
Palhinha described his arrival at Benfica as the fulfillment of a personal goal, noting the emotional significance of returning to the club's Seixal training facility. As a 16-year-old playing for local club Sacavenense, he attended a trial session at Seixal but was not taken on at the time.
Looking ahead to his time in Lisbon, Palhinha stated that one of his main goals is to make history with Benfica. He added that he aims to celebrate title victories and trophy wins alongside his children during his spell at the club.
