Benfica re-sign Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich in deal worth up to €19m

Benfica have completed the signing of Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich for an initial fee of €14m.

The 31-year-old has agreed a contract with the Portuguese club until 30 June 2030, returning to his home country after an extended spell playing abroad.

Benfica will acquire all of Palhinha’s registration rights under the agreement. The value of the transfer could rise to €19m if performance-related targets are met, while the player’s contract contains a release clause worth €50m.

Palhinha said he understood the level of expectation that comes with representing Benfica, but insisted he was focused on contributing to the club’s ambitions.

“The expectations are very high, as we all know when you represent Benfica. And at this moment I am just another person who helps and gives everything for the club. I have no doubt that everyone, from the club structure to the fans, is eager to win trophies,” he told Benfica’s official website.

Palhinha began his career with Sacavenense before joining Sporting CP in 2012. His first senior experience came during a loan spell at Moreirense in the 2015-16 season, when he made 29 appearances in all competitions.

He moved to Belenenses on loan the following campaign, before returning to Sporting CP during the winter transfer window. He finished that season with 29 appearances and one goal.

After making seven appearances and scoring twice in 2017-18, Palhinha joined Sporting Braga on loan. He impressed during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, scoring six goals in 76 matches and helping the club win the Portuguese League Cup.

The midfielder then returned to Sporting CP, featuring 77 times across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and scoring five goals. His performances earned him a move to Fulham in the Premier League.

Palhinha quickly established himself as a key player under manager Marco Silva at Fulham. He played 40 matches in the 2022-23 campaign and made a further 39 appearances the following season, scoring seven goals across the two seasons.

His displays in England attracted the attention of Bayern Munich, who signed him in the summer of 2024.

Palhinha played 25 matches for Bayern Munich during the 2024-25 season and helped the club reclaim the German league title. He then returned to the Premier League last season on loan at Tottenham, scoring seven goals in 45 appearances.

His move to Benfica brings him back to Portugal after 12 years marked by spells with clubs in England and Germany. The transfer also adds an experienced international midfielder to Benfica’s squad, with his contract set to run until the end of June 2030.

At international level, Palhinha represented Portugal at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level before making his senior debut on 24 March 2021 against Azerbaijan in a World Cup 2022 qualifying match.

He was part of the Portugal squad that won the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League and has also appeared at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

Palhinha has won 37 caps for Portugal.