António Silva leaves Benfica for Bournemouth in €25m deal after 11 years at the club

Transfer details

Benfica confirmed the sale of António Silva to Bournemouth on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The Portuguese club will receive a fixed fee of 25 million euros, with an additional 5 million euros in performance-related bonuses, taking the potential total to 30 million euros. The deal includes intermediation costs of up to 9.5% of the transfer value, payable to agent Jorge Mendes and his Gestifute agency. Mendes is set to earn at least 2.3 million euros, a figure that could rise to nearly 2.9 million euros if all add-ons are triggered. Silva signed a five-year contract with the Premier League side, keeping him at the Vitality Stadium until 2031.

Farewell after 11 years

Silva's departure ends an 11-year association with Benfica, where he rose through the academy at Seixal to become first-team captain. His final appearance came on Thursday, July 30, in a 5-0 Europa League qualifying win over St. Gallen. After the match, an emotional Silva addressed teammates and staff in the dressing room.

I wanted to thank you for these four years... I always gave everything on the pitch, in training, I always tried to infect everyone to give their best, I was always a very cheerful person. I also want to thank the staff, who were super important to me, to everyone. They are, for me, the heart of the club. They are the ones who are here, especially in the bad moments. I ask you, players, to embrace what the coach asks of you. I am one more to help you, to support you, even though I'm not close, I'm far away, but I will always be here to support you. Whatever you need from me, feel free. And I hope to be with you at Marquês when we are champions, that's what I want! Achieve all your goals! Be happy because your happiness will always be my happiness.

He also posted a message on social media, singling out former coach Roger Schmidt for giving him his senior debut.

Benfiquistas, the time has come to close an unforgettable chapter in my life, 11 years of Benfica that I will carry forever in my heart! The will and desire remain to one day return even more prepared because our story doesn't end here. I also take this opportunity to thank all the coaches and professionals who helped me along this 11-year journey, especially coach Roger Schmidt because he was the one who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to fulfill the dream of my life. Thank you, forever a Benfiquista!

A career in numbers

Between 2022 and 2026, Silva made 183 appearances for Benfica, scoring 10 goals. He won four trophies: one Primeira Liga title, two Supertaças Cândido de Oliveira, and one Taça da Liga. His consistency and leadership saw him wear the captain's armband in his final matches, a testament to his standing at the club.

The coach's perspective

Current Benfica coach Marco Silva confirmed that the decision to leave was the player's own. "A decisão estava tomada na cabeça dele," he told reporters after the St. Gallen match. The defender had refused to extend his contract, which was due to expire in the summer of 2027, prompting the club to sell rather than risk losing him on a free transfer. Marco Silva praised the player's professionalism throughout the process, noting that he never asked for special treatment and remained fully committed in training and matches.

What comes next

Bournemouth announced the signing with a video inspired by the Football Manager video game, a nod to Silva's reputation among scouting circles. The Cherries will hope the 22-year-old can adapt quickly to the Premier League and help the team improve on their previous campaign. For Benfica, the search begins for a replacement capable of filling the void left by a homegrown talent who embodied the club's identity.