Socceroos defender Circati seals $33m Benfica move
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has completed a reported 20 million euro ($33 million) transfer from Italian club Parma to Portuguese giants Benfica, becoming the latest Australian international to secure a major European move.
The 22-year-old, who played in all four of Australia's matches at the recent World Cup, has signed a five-year contract with the Lisbon club that runs through to 2031. Circati described the move as a privilege and said he was eager to play at the famous Estadio da Luz.
What does Circati's move mean for Australian football?
Circati's transfer follows Lucas Herrington's move from Major League Soccer to Hull City, making him Australia's only Premier League player, and Nestory Irankunda's switch from Watford to Sporting, Benfica's great rivals. The cluster of transfers signals growing demand for Australian talent in Europe's top leagues.
On the same day Circati's deal was confirmed, Socceroos forward Nishan Velupillay completed his move from Melbourne Victory to third-tier German club FC Ingolstadt 04. Reports also link Norwich City striker Mohamed Toure with top European clubs.
Who is Alessandro Circati?
Circati came through the youth ranks at Perth Glory before joining Parma in 2021 after a trial. He has since made 96 appearances for the Italian club, including 37 in Serie A, scoring two goals. He was a key figure in Parma's Serie B title win in the 2023/24 season and helped the club secure top-flight survival in the following two campaigns.
He has 17 international caps for the Socceroos and scored his first international goal during the World Cup campaign.
What has Circati said about joining Benfica?
Speaking on the club's website, Circati addressed Benfica supporters directly.
To all the Benfiquistas, I can't wait to play in front of you all, and win as many titles as we can. It's a huge honour. It's a privilege. I'm over the moon, couldn't be happier.
He added that the move is a reward for years of hard work and said he is adaptable enough to play in a back three or a back four.
Parma paid tribute to Circati in a statement, with president Kyle J. Krause and CEO Federico Cherubini thanking him for his contribution and wishing him success in the next chapter of his career.
How does the Socceroos' European presence look ahead of the next World Cup?
With Circati at Benfica, Herrington at Hull City and Irankunda at Sporting, the Socceroos now have players at competitive clubs across Europe's top divisions. The depth of Australian talent in European football is strengthening ahead of the next World Cup cycle, giving national team coach more options in defence and attack.