Fellipe Bastos flies in to Benfica

SL Benfica have made 17-year-old Brazilian midfielder Fellipe Bastos their first signing of the winter, bringing him to Portugal from Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo FR.

'Very proud'
The captain of the Brazil Under-17 team has agreed a three-year contract with the Lisbon side after an undisclosed fee changed hands. "I feel very proud to play for the biggest club in the world," he said. "I am very impressed by the set-up here and I know Benfica will allow me to get closer to the Brazil team as they are always in the spotlight. I want to earn my place gradually." Seven points behind leaders FC Porto in the Liga, second-placed Benfica also failed to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, but will compete in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 next spring.