Another Socceroos star is on the brink of a big-money move after the World Cup, with Alessandro Circati set to join Nestory Irankunda in Portugal’s top division.
Circati, who rose through the ranks at Italian club Parma after coming through Perth Glory’s youth system, had been linked with the likes of Inter Milan among others.
But he is now making a €20m ($A32.7m) move to Benfica, who won the title as recently as 2022-23 and finished third last season to secure a UEFA Europa League berth.
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Benfica defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League last season before being knocked out by the Spanish club in the knockout phase playoffs.
Multiple reports say Circati’s move is a done deal but Benfica, who began their season with a 2-2 draw and a 7-0 win, are yet to announce his signing.
Circati — the son of former Italian footballer Gianfranco, who settled in Perth at the end of his career — was under contract with Parma for another three years.
He had already started and played 90 minutes in Parma’s Coppa Italia win over Catania last weekend.
Benfica’s $A32.7m fee narrowly surpasses Lucas Herrington’s week-old Australian-record transfer of $A32.5m (Colorado Rapids to Premier League new boys Hull City) and sits above Irankunda’s $A26m deal to join Sporting CP.
Irankunda and Circati are now in line to face each other when Sporting and Benfica clash in December.
Sporting, who will play in the Champions League this season, announced Irankunda’s transfer last weekend — including a whopping $A130 million release clause.
“It’s a moment of great happiness and pride,” he told the club’s fans.
“I’m very excited. Any child or person who loves football dreams of playing in the UEFA Champions League. Having this opportunity will be fantastic and a dream come true.
“The project seemed very good to me and, obviously, Sporting CP is a top club with a great history. I wanted to accept this challenge and I’m ready.
“Even someone who lives on the other side of the world, like me, looks at Sporting CP and understands how fantastic and passionate the fans are.
“That’s why, and also because of the club’s history, I get goosebumps thinking that I’m wanted by a club like that. When they told me about Sporting CP, it was Sporting CP all the way.
“I came here to win titles and to play for great fans. I want to make history and there’s no better place to do that than Sporting CP. I’m very happy to be here and I hope to win trophies this season.”
Herrington became the most expensive Australian footballer of all time days earlier when he joined Hull City.
“I’m buzzing to be here. It’s a great project and a great club to be a part of. I’m so excited to be here,” the 18-year-old said.
“The opportunity to play in the Premier League, one of the best leagues in the world, is a dream come true. I’ve woken up at all hours in the morning in Australia to watch these games. To be a part of it is so special.
“To hear from the club and coaching staff has been so exciting for me. I can’t wait to meet all the boys and the fans. I’m here to work hard and hopefully get a lot of games in the Premier League.
“It was a dream come true to represent my country at the World Cup — something I had always wanted to do. To achieve it at 18 was so special and to have my family in the stands meant everything to me.
“I’m really looking forward to the first game against Manchester United (on Saturday). I can’t wait to get started.”
Herrington, Circati and Irankunda loom as key players for the Socceroos’ Asian Cup tilt beginning in January.
Aussie players have been in demand since the Socceroos reached the last-32 at the World Cup, with several moves now completed:
– Patrick Beach [Melbourne City (Aus) to Troyes (Fra)]
– Cammy Devlin [Hearts (Sco) to Rangers (Sco)]
– Ajdin Hrustic [Heracles Almelo (Ned) to Al Nasr (UAE)]
– Jackson Irvine [St Pauli (Ger) to Cerezo Osaka (Jpn)]
– Awer Mabil [CD Castellon (Esp) to Melbourne City (Aus)]
– Paul Okon-Engstler [Sydney FC (Aus) to FC Koln (Ger)]
– Lucas Herrington [Colorado Rapids (USA) to Hull City (Eng)]
– Nestory Irankunda [Watford (Eng) to Sporting (Por)]
– Alessandro Circati [Parma (Ita) to Benfica (Por)]
