Manchester City midfielder Claudio Echeverri has joined Portuguese giants Benfica on a season-long loan. The deal includes an option for the Lisbon club to make the transfer permanent. The 20-year-old Argentine arrived in Portugal on Tuesday to finalise the move ahead of the UEFA registration deadline.
Echeverri sought advice from Manchester City teammates Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva, both former Benfica players, before accepting the switch. He also spoke with Benfica manager Marco Silva. "I spoke with the coach and also with Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva at Manchester City," Echeverri said. "Many Argentinian players have played for this great club, and hopefully I can repeat what they did."
Why did Echeverri choose Benfica?
Claudio Echeverri highlighted the club's stature and history as key factors in his decision. He pointed to the path of successful Argentinians at Benfica and the chance for regular playing time in European competition. The attacking midfielder is expected to compete for the number ten role in Marco Silva's system, a position recently held by Heorhiy Sudakov.
Benfica are working to complete his medical and contract registration before submitting their squad list for the Europa League. Echeverri's previous loan spells at Bayer Leverkusen and Girona provided him with initial European experience after he signed for Manchester City in January 2024.
What does Echeverri bring to Benfica?
Nicknamed 'El Diablito', Echeverri is a creative playmaker who first gained attention at the 2023 South American U-17 Championship. He finished as joint-top scorer with five goals and added three assists. Later that year, he scored a hat-trick for Argentina in a 3-0 quarter-final win over Brazil at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
His profile suggests he will add technical quality and goal threat from an advanced midfield position. Benfica's tactical setup under Silva often utilises a creative central player, and Echeverri aims to secure a starting role to continue his development.
How does this affect Manchester City's squad?
This loan move follows Manchester City's strategy of developing young talent through competitive loan spells. Echeverri's departure opens a squad space and provides him with a clear pathway to senior football. City will monitor his progress in Portugal closely.
The club's current midfield options remain strong, with players like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden featuring prominently. Fans can track the team's upcoming matches and the performances of all squad members on our fixtures and squad pages. City's next Premier League fixture is against Aston Villa on Saturday, 5 September 2026.
Echeverri's contract with Manchester City runs until the summer of 2028.
