Miccoli to lead Benfica line

Goals wanted
Miccoli, who spent last season on loan at ACF Fiorentina scoring 12 goals, has agreed a one-year loan from Juventus FC and will be the final new face to arrive at the Estádio da Luz. He said: "I am here to work hard and will try to score many goals. I had other offers but Benfica are a very good team for me. I want to thank the president and everyone at the club for the confidence they have shown in me."

Plenty of experience
The 26-year-old made his Azzurri debut against Portugal in February 2003. Miccoli started his career with Casarano Calcio in Serie C1, scoring 19 goals in two seasons, before moving to Ternana Calcio in Serie B in 1998. After four campaigns and 32 goals with Ternana he joined AC Perugia. He registered nine times in his first top-flight campaign to earn a transfer to Juventus, where he struck eight goals in 25 games.

Simão switch
Meanwhile, Benfica's Portugal midfielder Simão Sabrosa is on the verge of a move to Liverpool FC. The 25-year-old missed training with the national team this morning in order to enter negotiations with the European champions. Simão, the Eagles' captain, joined the Lisbon outfit in a reported €12m switch from FC Barcelona in 2001.