Chinese striker signs for Benfica

AFP - 6 April 2007 12:12

Benfica supporters cheer during the Champions League match against Lille in 2005. The Beijing Times has said that 18-year-old striker Yu Dabao has signed a three-year contract with Benfica.

BEIJING (AFP) - China's 18-year-old striker Yu Dabao has signed a three-year contract with Portuguese club Benfica, the Beijing Times said Friday.

Currently on loan from Chinese club Qingdao Hailifeng, Yu has agreed a more permanent move worth 400,000 euros (535,000 dollars) to join Benfica, which is currently second-place in the Portuguese league, the paper said.

While on loan since the beginning of this year, Yu, an Under-18 international last season, scored 12 goals in just eight apperances for Benfica's development side.

Following his full contract deal, Yu, considered one of China's most promising attackers, will be assured of regular first team football in the Portuguese league, the report said.