Zoro zeroing in on Benfica

SL Benfica have announced that Ivorian defender Marc Zoro will join the club in the summer and have signed teenager Fábio Coentrão from Rio Ave FC.

President's guarantee
Club president Luís Filipe Vieira said: "Benfica are buying and not selling players. I can guarantee Zoro will sign." The 23-year-old's is expected to sign a four-year deal after his contract at Italian side FC Messina Peloro expires in June. He will be the Lisbon club's second signing of the summer as they look prepare for the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

First signing
The 19-year-old Coentrão has already become their first signing for the new campaign, agreeing a reported six-season contract with the club after leaving second division side Rio Ave. The attacking midfielder is also an Under-19 international. Benfica travel to the United States on Monday for a one-week tour with many of their top players absent or injured.