Lisbon club Benfica has secured the future of promising 18-year-old forward Francisco Silva with a new contract, as the player voiced ambitions for a first-team debut.
The Portuguese club announced the renewal on Monday, though it did not disclose the duration of the new agreement. Silva has been a part of Benfica’s youth system for eight seasons.
This season, Silva has made eight appearances for the club’s B team and five for the U19 squad. He has scored four goals in the prestigious Youth League competition.
“It signifies a feeling of pride and confidence from the club,” Silva told BTV, the club’s television channel. “Now I think it’s about working harder, with more responsibility, and achieving higher goals.”
Silva’s immediate focus remains on his current teams. “Right now, it’s about focusing on the B team, focusing on the Youth League, and working as hard as possible,” he stated.
His long-term goal is a place in the senior squad. He added, “For the future, it’s about hoping to debut [in the main team], first of all, and then earning my place.”
The renewal announcement by Benfica was made on its social media channels.
Francisco Silva renova contrato com o Benfica! 🔴⚪️
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) April 22, 2024
Silva also reflected on his past successes with the club. “I think the greatest memory was the first national championship title in the U17s and then the second title in the U19s, right after,” he recalled.