Sport Lisboa e Benfica has officially announced a significant reinforcement for their squad, securing the permanent transfer of left-back Rafael Obrador from Real Madrid. The move sees the highly-rated young defender make the switch from the Spanish capital to Lisbon, bypassing interest from other European clubs, including Genoa in Italy.
Obrador, born in 2004, arrives at the Estádio da Luz having committed his future to the Portuguese giants on a remarkably long-term contract. The agreement ties the player to Benfica until 2030, a clear indication of the club`s confidence in his abilities and his projected development trajectory within their setup.
While Benfica and Real Madrid did not publicly disclose the financial terms of the transfer, reports circulating in the Portuguese media, notably from O Jogo, indicate that the deal is valued at approximately five million euros. This investment reflects Benfica`s strategy to acquire and nurture promising young talent from top academies.
The transfer is also notable for its potential connection to another high-profile movement. Speculation suggests Obrador`s arrival at Benfica is part of a wider operation that could see Benfica`s Spanish defender, Álvaro Carreras, make the journey in the opposite direction to Real Madrid.
Benfica confirmed Obrador`s signing via an official communication, formally welcoming the defender and emphasizing the long duration of his newly signed contract. For Obrador, this represents a pivotal step in his career, moving from the environment of Real Madrid`s famed `La Fábrica` academy to the first-team ambitions at a major European club like Benfica.