SA youngster signs for Benfica
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South African midfielder Thabo Cele has sealed a move to Portuguese giants Benfica from the 2017/18 season.
The 20-year-old signed a five-year contract with the defending Primeira Liga champions, a little under a year since he turned out for the KwaZulu-Natal Academy in the Durban
Under-19 International Football Tournament.
His performances in that junior tournament earned him a move to Portuguese lower league side Real Sport Clube de Massama ahead of the 2016/17 season, where he was watched by Benfica.
The KwaMashu-born attacking midfielder did enough in his first six months at the team to be snapped up by Benfica, with FC Porto also reportedly interested in his signature.
"The KZN Academy is proud of Thabo for the hard work and perseverance he has demonstrated,” says KZN Academy Managing Director, Carlos Catalino. “When Thabo moved to Portugal in August 2016, we were apprehensive given his age, but he made it clear from the beginning that he was not looking to come back to Durban, but to do whatever it took to forge a career for himself in Europe.
“This move to Benfica is a massive boost, not only for Thabo but for the Academy and the work it seeks to achieve. Our sincere gratitude go to the
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, eThekwini Municipality and the South African Football Association for having supported this football development project since inception in 2014.
“We hope Thabo's move will inspire all other young players to work harder and more importantly, to be mentally strong to overcome challenges posed by being a professional player. This is just the beginning for him. Now the hard work begins."
Benfica are the current Portuguese champions having won the last three Primeira Liga titles in a row.
They are coached by Rui Vitória, one of the most respected up-and-coming coaches in Europe, and count among their current stars Brazilian internationals Jonas and Luisão, and Portuguese national team stars Eliseu and Nélson Semedo.
The Lisbon side currently head the Primeira Liga by a single point from rivals FC Porto after 23 games in the 34-match season.
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