Benfica prepare to unveil Petit

Midfield player Petit has pledged to give "his very best" to help SL Benfica win the Portuguese championship after moving to the Lisbon club on a five-year contract from 1. Liga rivals Boavista FC.

Flew to Switzerland
The 25-year-old Petit, who flew to Switzerland today to link up with his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp in Nyon, said: "I'll give my very best to try and give the Benfica supporters something they have been waiting so long for - the Portuguese league title. I'm delighted to be able to help in that task."

Transfer details
No details of the transfer fee have yet been divulged, although it has been reported that Benfica have paid €4m for Petit and Boavista will receive 50 per cent of any future transfer fee. Despite forsaking a second season of UEFA Champions League football at the Bessa stadium to join a club again without European involvement, Petit is certain that he has made the right move.

‘Step forward’
"I know this is a step forward for me," he said. "Of course, I have given up the chance to play in the Champions League, but to play and fight for a league title with Benfica is a completely different thing." Capped 13 times by Portugal, Petit will be unveiled as a Benfica player by sports director Luis Filipe Vieira following tonight's friendly with French side AJ Auxerre in the Swiss town on Yverdon.