Four Benfica B players promoted to senior side

Benfica have confirmed that three of their strongest academy products and another young B team player have been promoted to the senior team.

It comes after the departure of several players towards the end of the transfer window. The attacking duo of Facundo Ferreyra and Castillo, who only joined Benfica in the summer, both left the club, leaving Benfica short on attacking players. 

In their place, the truly exciting teenager João Filipe, commonly known as Jota, has been promoted to Benfica's main side, a moment Benfica fans across the globe have been eagerly anticipating for a long time now, and his league debut now awaits.

Joining Ferreyra at Espanyol was Alfa Semedo, most fondly remembered for his terrific solo goal against AEK Athens in the Champions League. To accommodate for his loss, Florentino Luis, another player that has long been admired by the Benfica faithful, has been added to the Benfica senior side.

Lema - yet another summer signing - has also left the club, heading to South America, and will be replaced by 21-year old Ferro, a centreback who many Benfica fans are hoping will be a big deal at the club in the years to come.

Russian goalkeeper Zlobin, who joined Benfica in 2016, will also be inducted into the senior team, replacing Bruno Varela who is heading to Ajax on a season-long loan.

The use of Benfica's youth team is a clear indication of Benfica's desire to utilise players that have gone through their own academy.