Overview

• The Colombian midfielder landed in Lisbon on July 22 to undergo medical tests and finalize his five-year contract with Benfica.
• Benfica agreed to pay Palmeiras approximately €27 million to €30 million in instalments for the 25-year-old’s transfer.
• The move marks Ríos’s first foray into European club football after standout performances for Palmeiras and in international competitions.
• Ríos will link up with Nicolás Otamendi, turning last month’s on-field confrontation into a partnership aimed at winning titles.
• The acquisition underscores Benfica’s strategy of investing in emerging South American talent as it rebuilds for domestic and continental success.