Benfica show faith in Coimbra
Friday, January 19, 2007
Article summary
SL Benfica have extended the contract of 20-year-old midfielder João Coimbra until 2010, inserting a €10m buy-out clause that will ward off any potential suitors.
Article body
Talks
The 20-year-old Portuguese youth international - who is in the second year of medical school at the Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon - made his Liga debut against Vitória FC last April and has added three more substitute appearances this term. Coimbra's agent Carlos Gonçalves issued a statement saying: "The negotiations were very smooth as Benfica have faith in the player. They believe he is one for the future." An unused member of Benfica's UEFA Champions League squad, Coimbra will hope to take his European bow in the UEFA Cup, where the Eagles face FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti in the Round of 32.