Portuguese giant Benfica have confirmed reports that they signed Guillermo Celis on a five-year deal.
The club got the Columbian international from Junior FC, according to reports. The player is 23 years old and was a part of the national team that placed third at the recently concluded Copa America in the United States.
Benfica signed the player from Columbian side Deportivo Junior SA but the reports didn’t the transfer fee. The club has had enjoyed decent transfer deal success with the most recent being Renato Sanchez. The club signed the youngster for just 750 Euros and 20 footballs a few years ago. The player developed from the youth team before breaking into the first team. He was eventually sold to German giant Bayern Munich for 35 million Euros. The transfer fee for Celis is believed isn’t very expensive as well. An excited Celis told reporters:
“It’s a great day, a very important day for me and I am very happy to be here. I want to work in the best way and give my best to win a place in the team and win titles.”
He added that he has been in the Copa America and didn’t have a break but joined the team immediately. He claimed it was just a day, and then he flew into Lisbon.
Celis becomes the latest in the flurry of signings the Portuguese champions have made. They also recently confirmed the joining of Andre Carrillo from rivals Sporting Lisbon. Celis was very impressed with the new stadium and he was quoted saying: “The Estadio da Luz is impressive. I will give the best for this club.” The 65,000 capacity ground for Benfica looked very stunning compared to what he was used to in Columbia. The young player is set to join the club in its pre season camp.