Sport Lisboa e Benfica has officially announced the signing of Richard Ríos, a 25-year-old midfielder from Palmeiras. Ríos has signed a contract with the club that extends until 2030, marking a significant addition to the team.

Transfer Details

The transfer details were disclosed to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), revealing that Benfica has acquired all rights to Ríos for a fee of €27,000,000 (twenty-seven million euros). Additionally, Benfica SAD will contribute approximately €419,000 (four hundred and nineteen thousand euros) as part of the solidarity mechanism for clubs involved in the player's development. The contract includes a termination clause set at €100,000,000 (one hundred million euros).

Player's Background and Reaction

Ríos was officially presented as a new member of the Eagles on July 22. In his first remarks, he expressed gratitude to the Benfica fans for their warm reception and emphasized the importance of his futsal experience and fluency in Portuguese. "It's a huge joy for me and my family. It's a giant step forward in my career. It was a dream to play in Europe, and now being at a club as big as Benfica is something that is very rewarding for me and my family," Ríos stated in an interview with BTV.

Career Journey

Ríos began his football journey in Vegachí, Colombia, where he played with friends before transitioning to 11-a-side football. His career took off in futsal, turning professional at 16 with Alianza Platanera. He gained national recognition by joining the Colombian Under-20 team for the South American Championship in Peru at 17. In 2019, he moved to Flamengo, where he made his official debut on January 23, 2020, against Vasco da Gama. He also played in the Brasileirão, making his first appearance on September 27, 2020, against Palmeiras.

With his move to Benfica, Richard Ríos aims to make a significant impact in European football, continuing to build on his promising career.