SL Benfica have strengthened their squad ahead of next season's UEFA Champions League campaign by signing Brazilian duo Eduardo Alcides and Paulo Almeida, the club's chairman Luís Filipe Vieira confirmed today. "They're both Benfica players already," the chairman said.The 23-year-old Paulo Almeida is a defensive midfield player and joins from Santos FC in his homeland. According to Pelé, a former Santos man himself: "Paulo Almeida is a warrior on the field and a guy who doesn't like to lose, even in training matches. He is a player of the future." Paulo Almeida helped Santos win the Brazilian championship in 2002 and has won five senior international caps.Alcides, meanwhile, is a 19-year-old central defender, who helped Brazil win the FIFA World Youth Championship last year. He had a spell at FC Shalke 04 this season but was a free agent when Benfica moved for him. Alcides, who has been recovering from knee surgery, said: "I am anxious to play again."Source: Uefa.com
SL Benfica have strengthened their squad ahead of next season's UEFA Champions League campaign by signing Brazilian duo Eduardo Alcides and Paulo Almeida, the club's chairman Luís Filipe Vieira confirmed today. "They're both Benfica players already," the chairman said.The 23-year-old Paulo Almeida is a defensive midfield player and joins from Santos FC in his homeland. According to Pelé, a former Santos man himself: "Paulo Almeida is a warrior on the field and a guy who doesn't like to lose, even in training matches. He is a player of the future." Paulo Almeida helped Santos win the Brazilian championship in 2002 and has won five senior international caps.Alcides, meanwhile, is a 19-year-old central defender, who helped Brazil win the FIFA World Youth Championship last year. He had a spell at FC Shalke 04 this season but was a free agent when Benfica moved for him. Alcides, who has been recovering from knee surgery, said: "I am anxious to play again."Source: Uefa.com