Bournemouth sign Portugal defender Antonio Silva from Benfica

Bournemouth have completed the signing of Antonio Silva from Benfica in a deal worth £21.4m, with a further £4.3m available in performance-related bonuses, according to Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old central defender joins Bournemouth as a replacement for Marcos Senesi, who has moved to Tottenham. Silva becomes the third arrival of the summer for the team managed by German head coach Marco Rose, following the signings of Alvaro Rodriguez and Alex Jimenez.

Bournemouth will begin their Premier League campaign against Manchester City in the opening round of the season. The club will also compete in the Europa League for the first time in their history after finishing seventh in the Premier League last season.

Silva made his Benfica debut at the age of 18 and helped the club win the league title during that campaign. He went on to claim four trophies with the Portuguese side, who are nicknamed the Eagles.

His early career also included success in European youth football. Silva played a part in Benfica’s victory in the 2021-22 UEFA Youth League, before being named in the following season’s Primeira Liga team of the season.

The defender has represented Portugal at major international tournaments. He was included in the country’s squad for the 2022 World Cup and played at Euro 2024. Silva was not selected for Portugal’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

He also won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal in 2025.

Bournemouth’s move for Silva strengthens a squad preparing for a demanding campaign that will combine domestic competition with the club’s first appearance in the Europa League. His arrival follows the departure of Senesi and gives Rose another defensive option ahead of the meeting with Manchester City.

The transfer was announced on Saturday, 1 August 2026.