Souffian El Karouani completes Benfica loan move from Al Qadsiah

Benfica have signed Morocco international Souffian El Karouani on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah, with the Portuguese side holding an option to make the move permanent.

The Lisbon club confirmed the arrival of the 25-year-old left-back on its official website as Benfica strengthen their options on the left side of the team.

The agreement includes a purchase option understood to be worth around €10m. El Karouani will now spend the season in Portugal, where he has the opportunity to continue his development in European football while taking on a new challenge with Benfica.

The move comes shortly after the Moroccan defender joined Al Qadsiah.

Despite only recently completing his transfer to the Saudi Arabian club, El Karouani did not make an official appearance for his new side before being sent to Portugal on loan.

His quick departure from Al Qadsiah means his time in Saudi Arabia has ended before he was able to feature competitively for the club.

El Karouani now turns his attention to Benfica, where he will look to establish himself and earn a permanent move at the end of the loan period.

The Moroccan international arrives with his future ultimately dependent on how his season in Lisbon develops. Benfica have included an option to buy in the agreement, giving the club the opportunity to retain the defender beyond the initial loan spell.

The 25-year-old will therefore have the chance to impress the Portuguese club’s management during his time at the Estádio da Luz.

A successful campaign could lead Benfica to activate the €10m purchase option and turn the temporary transfer into a permanent deal.

El Karouani’s market value is currently estimated at €15m by Transfermarkt, making the purchase option lower than his reported valuation.

For the defender, the immediate priority will be to settle into his new surroundings and make an impression at Benfica.

His arrival represents another opportunity to play in a European league after his recent move to Al Qadsiah, although that spell did not produce an official appearance before his loan move was agreed.

Benfica have now provided El Karouani with a new platform to continue his career, while the Moroccan will hope his performances in Lisbon can persuade the club to keep him permanently.

The season-long agreement gives both sides time to assess the move, with Benfica retaining the option to complete the transfer for around €10m at the end of the campaign.

El Karouani will now begin his new chapter in Portugal with the aim of quickly establishing himself at the Lisbon club and turning his loan into a permanent move.