SL Benfica have strengthened ahead of their UEFA Champions League campaign with the loan signing of 20-year-old Eduardo Salvio.

The Argentinian international forward has moved from Club Atlético de Madrid having scored twice in 13 Spanish Liga appearances for the UEFA Europa League holders. He joined Atlético from CA Lanús last term after finding the net 11 times in 41 games in his homeland. "I had other offers but Benfica was my first choice so I decided very quickly," said Salvio. "Now I'm going to give my all in order to win trophies.

"I hope I can be very successful here and it's a dream to play in a competition like the Champions League. The fact Benfica have other Argentinian players [Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola, Franco Jara and Nicolás Gaitán] helped make my decision." Benfica, who opened their Portuguese Liga title defence with a 2-1 defeat by A. Académica de Coimbra on Sunday, will enter the UEFA Champions League group stage next month.