Petit leaves Benfica for Köln
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Article summary
Portugal midfielder Petit thanked SL Benfica for six "amazing years" as he left the Lisbon giants to try his luck abroad for the first time with promoted 1. FC Köln.
Article top media content
Article body
Mixed emotions
Petit has signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Köln, including the option for a further 12 months. "This will be my first experience abroad and I'm looking forward to it," said the 31-year-old. "It was a very good offer and I asked Benfica to go. But I would also like to thank them for some amazing years." He added: "I hope I can bring plenty of joy to this great team. It will be difficult as the standard of the Bundesliga is very high."
Two championships
Petit, whose full name is Armando Gonçalves Teixeira, played 148 Liga matches for Benfica, winning the Portuguese title in 2005. He had also been a league champion with Boavista FC in 2001 before moving to Lisbon the following summer. Benfica will have first refusal on the 57-cap international should he decide to return to Portugal, and will also receive €3m if he switches to another club. Köln coach Christoph Daum said: "I wouldn't have thought it possible that we could sign this player. He has all the qualities a coach is looking for. With him, we have the talent to reach the level we are aiming for – Petit will play a central role in my plans."
