Benfica swoop for keeper Artur
Saturday, May 21, 2011
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SL Benfica have signed 30-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Artur, the UEFA Europa League finalist sealing a four-year deal after impressing during a season-long loan at SC Braga.
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Goalkeeper Artur has signed a four-year deal with SL Benfica following a season-long loan from AS Roma to SC Braga.
"I've chosen Benfica because of the ambitious project that was presented to me," said Artur, who played nine times in this season's UEFA Europa League, including in this week's 1-0 final defeat by FC Porto. "I am happy I have made the right choice."
Back-up in the first part of the season, Artur became Braga's No1 in the spring, conceding just four goals en route to Wednesday's Dublin showpiece. A product of the Cruzeiro EC youth ranks, he spent the 2006 campaign on loan at Coritiba FC before moving to AC Siena in January 2008. He soon departed for AC Cesena but headed for Roma in June of that year only to make just one Serie A start in 2009/10, prompting a loan to Braga this term.
Benfica will feature in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after finishing second in the Portuguese Liga, 21 points adrift of champions Porto.
