Parma sells Australian defender Alessandro Circati to Benfica for €18m plus bonuses
Alessandro Circati has transferred from Parma to Benfica for a reported €18 million, with up to €2 million in add-ons, signing a contract through June 2031.
Parma confirmed the transfer of 22-year-old defender Alessandro Circati to Benfica, with the fee set at €18 million and an additional €2 million possible through add-ons. The Australian international completed his medical examination in Portugal and signed a contract that runs to June 2031. Circati, born in Italy and relocated to Australia at age one, switched his international allegiance to the Socceroos in 2023 and has amassed 17 caps, including participation in the 2026 World Cup.
A product of Perth Glory’s youth academy, he returned to Italy in 2021 to join Parma, where he made 96 senior appearances, netting two goals and delivering three assists. The deal provides Parma with a sizable windfall and gives Benfica a young defender with international experience. Circati’s departure follows a season that saw him feature in Serie A matches against clubs such as Roma and Atalanta.
Why it matters
The transfer brings a significant fee to Parma and adds a World Cup-experienced defender to Benfica’s roster.
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