Official: Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches reunites with Rui Vitória at Panathinaikos | OneFootball

Renato Sanches says the chance to reunite with former Benfica manager Rui Vitória was a major factor in his decision to join Greek giants Panathinaikos over the weekend.

Sanches completed a loan move to Panathinaikos on Sunday, taking part in his first training session on Monday morning. Having spent last season and the Club World Cup with Benfica, it is yet another move for the midfielder, who recently turned 28.

"I'm happy to be here,” he said on his arrival at the airport. “There were many reasons that brought me here. Panathinaikos is a great club, one of the biggest here, but the coach brought me here. He was my first professional coach, so I'm very happy to be here.

"My goals are to be a great player for the club, to try to win titles, because Panathinaikos is one of the biggest clubs in Greece. They've won many titles, and so have I, but my goal is also to be a great player and help the team.”

Sanches made his debut for Benfica’s senior side almost ten years ago, in late October 2015, when then Eagles boss Vitória introduced him as a substitute against Tondela. By the end of the campaign, Sanches was in the Portugal squad for the European Championships, which the Seleção won in the summer of 2016. A big-money move to Bayern Munich followed, since when Renato has played for Swansea City, Lille, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Benfica.

Panathinaikos finished 2nd in the Greek Super League last term. The team nicknamed ‘The Shamrock’ have not been national champions since 2010, but there was promising form under Vitória after he took charge in October, winning 21 of his 35 matches at the helm in all competitions last season.

Pana’s biggest objective ahead of the start of the new league season is in the Europa League qualifiers. Having been eliminated from the Champions League by Rangers in July, Pana saw off Ukrainians Dynamo Kyiv and are 2-1 up over Turkish side Samsunspor before a return away leg to earn a place in the Europa League.