Aimar leaves Zaragoza for Benfica

Argentina playmaker Pablo Aimar has left Real Zaragoza in a €6.5m transfer to SL Benfica where he will link up with his former Valencia CF coach Quique Sánchez Flores.

'Delighted'
The 28-year-old, who has signed a four-year contract, will be unveiled in Lisbon today after Benfica's sporting director Rui Costa travelled to Spain to conclude the deal on Wednesday. "I'm delighted because Benfica went out of their way to get me," said Aimar, the scorer of five goals in 53 top-flight games over two seasons at Zaragoza. "I know the coach and he knows me. I want to play regularly and win things here as Benfica are one of the biggest clubs in the world."

European trophy
Aimar came to prominence with CA River Plate in his homeland before joining Valencia in early 2001. He went on to win two Primera División titles as well as the UEFA Cup in 2004, but was considered surplus to requirements the following season by Sánchez Flores. He made 162 league appearances for the club, scoring 27 goals, before an €11m switch to Zaragoza. Benfica enter the UEFA Cup in the first round.