Alessandro Circati is the latest CommBank Socceroo to join a Portuguese heavyweight, signing with 38-time Primeira Liga champions SL Benfica for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old arrives from Serie A side Parma Calcio for a reported €20 million ($32.7 million AUD) plus add-ons to become the most expensive Australian footballer ever, agreeing to a five-year contract until June 2031.
His move follows Nestory Irankunda to the Portuguese first division after the 20-year-old completed a transfer to fierce rivals Sporting CP until 2031 last week.
One of Europe's most highly sought after defenders, Circati has been a consistent performer for the Crociati and played a key role in their promotion to the Italian top flight in 2024.
Circati also experienced an impressive FIFA World Cup™ 2026 campaign, where he played every minute of Australia's four matches.
At Parma, Circati accumulated 96 matches across all competitions, registering two goals and three assists since his debut in February 2022.
The centre-back will now play under newly appointed head coach Marco Silva who agreed to join the Eagles on a two-year deal with the option for a third back in June and now calls the iconic Estadio da Luz home.
Circati, who has one goal in 17 caps for Australia, explained his decision after putting pen-to-paper on a five-year contract.
“It's a huge honour, a privilege. I'm over the moon, I couldn't be happier. I think it's a reward for many years of hard work. I'm so happy to be here, and I can't wait to play for Benfica," he said in a club statement.
He joins a growing list of Socceroos to have completed moves following their FIFA World Cup™ exploits including: Lucas Herrington (Hull City), Nestory Irankunda (Sporting CP), Paul Okon-Engstler (1. FC Koln), Awer Mabil (Melbourne City), Cam Devlin (Rangers), Patrick Beach (Troyes), Jackson Irvine (Cerezo Osaka), Nishan Velupillay (FC Ingolstadt 04).
In September 2025, Circati became the youngest Socceroos captain since 1981 wearing the armband against New Zealand and later Canada the following month in just his seventh and eighth appearances and is an exciting core of young Aussies ready to lead the next generation forward.
Circati is the first Australian to sign with Benfica's first-team with several Aussies including Paul Okon-Engstler appearing in their academy sides.
Benfica is Portugal's most successful club side lifting the Primeira Liga on 38 occasions, the Taca de Portugal 26 times and the Taca da Liga eight times - all records, while clinching the European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) twice back-to-back in the early 1960s.
Socceroos who have recently competed in the Portuguese top flight include Nestory Irankunda (Sporting 2026/27 - present), Awer Mabil (Paços de Ferreira 2017/18), Jason Davidson (Paços de Ferreira 2009/10), Eugene Galekovic (Beira-Mar 2004/05), Michael Curcija (SC Braga 2001/02), and Ernie Tapei (Estoril 1993/94).