Benfica break transfer record to buy Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos | OneFootball

(Photo: www.slbenfica.pt)

Benfica have completed the signing the Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos, breaking the club transfer record by paying Palmeiras 27 million euros for the 25-year-old.

“It’s a giant step forward in my career,” said Ríos after putting pen to paper on a five-year contract in Lisbon. “It was a dream of mine to play in Europe and being at such a giant club like Benfica is hugely satisfying.”

The transfer fee surpasses the previous record amount paid by Benfica the when they bought Orkün Kökcü from Feyenoord for €25 million in 2023.

Benfica had been chasing Ríos all summer and have beaten off competition from Roma to land the all-action midfielder.

The latest acquisition brings the Lisbon club’s summer spending spree so far to €59 million, having also signed full-backs Rafa Obrador and Amar Dedic and defensive midfielder Enzo Barrenechea.

Next on the list is potentially the most high-profile signing of the summer in Portugal with Benfica reported to be close to bringing João Félix back to the Estádio da Luz.

President Rui Costa is attempting to seal the deal for the Portugal international, with Chelsea keen to offload the Portugal forward from their oversized squad.