Benfica sign Serbia international Markovic
Benfica have signed 19-year-old Serbia forward Lazar Markovic from Partizan Belgrade on a five-year contract, the Portuguese club said on Monday.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WuPgoekLwESm2PixCK2Dw6.jpg)
The Lisbon club said in a statement on its website it had reached a deal with the coveted winger, who had also been linked in the media with Premier League club Chelsea.
"Serbian winger Markovic signed with Benfica for five seasons," the club said.
The statement included an interview with the young Serb and a photo of him smiling and wearing a Benfica shirt. The Portuguese club gave no financial details about the deal.
"Benfica play very attacking football that fits nicely with my characteristics," said Markovic, who is known for his excellent technical ability and pace.
"I come from a winning team and this style of play, always looking for goals and victories, fits me."
He said he wanted to win titles with the Lisbon club, who, despite many impressive displays, endured a hugely disappointing end of season where they lost the championship, domestic cup final and Europa League final in just a few weeks.
"I know we will play in the Champions League so I am very motivated," Markovic said, adding he had already asked for tips from compatriot Nemanja Matic, who was Benfica's player of the season.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"He told me that Benfica is a very organised club with a lot of fans and tradition."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack