Benfica bid farewell to Zahovic
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Article summary
Slovenian international Zlatko Zahovic has agreed to end his contract with SL Benfica by mutual consent.
Article body
Free agent
The midfield player has not travelled to Obidos with the rest of the team, who are preparing for their next Portuguese SuperLiga match against Boavista FC, having agreed a deal to leave the club and is now a free agent. "Benfica wishes Zahovic all the best in his future career and we thank him for his professionalism and commitment," the Lisbon outfit said in a statement.
Limited opportunities
Zahovic, who will turn 34 on 1 February, arrived at Benfica - who occupy fifth place in the Portuguese top flight, three points behind leaders Sporting Clube de Portugal, and face Russia's PFC CSKA Moskva in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 in February - in 2001/02 but was not always a first choice. His contract was due to expire at the end of the season but, as he no longer figured in coach Giovanni Trapattoni's plans, it was decided to release him early.
