[p]The agreement between Bayern and Benfica, signed by Palhinha, is structured around an initial €14 million payment, with five more to be paid through potential bonuses. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/palhinha-joao/vFArGMai/"]Palhinha[/a] has signed a four-year contract, while the Portuguese club confirmed that the midfielder’s deal includes a €50 million release clause.[/p][p][b]“The 31-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sporting-cp/tljXuHBC/"]Portugal[/a] international is returning to his home city of Lisbon, where he began his professional career at Sporting,”[/b] said [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/nVp0wiqd/"]Bayern[/a] in a statement.[/p][embed guid="816b85c6-bc23-4d81-a1a9-fc875cd0a8c2" url="https://x.com/SLBenfica/status/2092567828087910481" social-type="twitter" /][p]As the transfer was finalized the day before the return leg, he could not be registered on Benfica's official squad list for this round of the UEFA tournament.[/p][p]Bayern signed the Portuguese international from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/fulham/69ZiU2Om/"]Fulham[/a] in the summer of 2024 for approximately €50 million. The midfielder was allegedly eager to return to his homeland—partly to be closer to his family—despite having received more lucrative offers elsewhere.[/p][p]No doubt the presence of Marco Silva, with whom Palhinha had previously worked at Fulham between 2022 and 2024, played a decisive role in Palhinha pushing for the Benfica move. [/p]
Newly signed Bayern star not able to play for Benfica against AGF in Europa League
Benfica strengthened their midfield during the week by signing Portugal international João Palhinha from Bayern Munich, completing the transfer on Wednesday for a fee that is expected to reach €19 million. However, the Portuguese international will no able to play against AGF when Benfica face the Danish champions tonight in Randers