Benfica have signed Claudio Echeverri from Manchester City on loan for the 2026/27 season, the two clubs confirmed. The agreement includes an option for the Portuguese side to buy the 20-year-old attacking midfielder.
Echeverri will spend the campaign with Marco Silva’s squad as Benfica compete in the Primeira Liga and Europa League. Neither club disclosed the value of the purchase option or any additional financial terms.
The Argentina youth international said he was eager to begin playing and help Benfica pursue trophies. He also said conversations with former Benfica players Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva, as well as Argentina teammate Gianluca Prestianni, strengthened his decision to move to Lisbon.
Manchester City signed Echeverri from River Plate in January 2024 before leaving him with the Buenos Aires club for another year. He joined City’s first-team squad in early 2025 and made his debut as a substitute in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
Echeverri scored his first City goal with a free-kick against Al Ain at the FIFA Club World Cup. An injury ended his involvement in that tournament, and he spent the following season gaining experience away from Manchester.
He made 11 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen across the Bundesliga and Champions League during the first half of 2025/26. A January switch to Girona followed, where Benfica said he registered one goal and one assist in 16 La Liga appearances.
The move gives Benfica another creative option behind the forwards and offers Echeverri the prospect of regular first-team football. City said the player will remain in Lisbon for the full season.
Deal details
Benfica announced the transfer late on September 2 and described Echeverri as an attacking midfielder. The club confirmed that the loan lasts until the end of the current season and that the agreement contains a purchase option.
Manchester City separately confirmed the season-long loan. The English club did not mention the purchase clause in its announcement, but both statements agree that Echeverri will spend the campaign in Lisbon.
Career to date
Born in Resistencia, Argentina, Echeverri entered River Plate’s academy in 2016 and made his senior debut in June 2023. He later captained Argentina at youth level and scored five goals at the 2023 Under-17 World Cup as his country finished fourth.
His performances led City to complete a deal in January 2024. Echeverri remained at River before moving to England, where his limited first-team appearances included the FA Cup final, a Premier League match and the Club World Cup.
What happens next
Echeverri will now join Benfica’s first-team preparations and compete for a place in the attacking midfield positions. He will wear the No. 30 shirt, previously associated at the club with Argentina defender Nicolás Otamendi.
Benfica have not announced when Echeverri could make his debut. His availability will depend on registration and the coaching staff’s assessment after he begins training with the squad.