Thursday 1 September 2016 21:41, UK
Benfica have signed Portugal international Rafa Silva from Braga on a five-year deal for €16.4m (£13.8m).
The sum paid for the 23-year-old is a record between Portuguese clubs, surpassing the €11m (£9.3m) Porto paid Sporting Lisbon for Joao Moutinho in 2010.
The deal with reigning three-time Portuguese champions followed protracted negotiations during which both clubs criticised the excessive demands of the player's agent.
The contract also includes a €60m (£50.6m) buy-out clause for Silva, who has been capped nine times at international level and was part of Portugal's Euro 2016 winning squad.
Silva turned professional in 2012 with modest Portuguese club Feirense before joining Braga the following year.
Benfica have also agreed to sell striker Rui Fonte to Braga on a three-year deal and loaned Argentine winger Oscar Benitez to the club for a year.
