Official: Circati completes Benfica move, Parma earn €18m plus bonus
Quick summary
Australian defender Circati has been officially sold by Parma to Benfica for €18 million plus add-ons.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAs expected, Parma have now sold Australia international Alessandro Circati to Benfica for a reported fee of €18m plus €2m in add-ons.
The deal was done earlier this week and he flew in to Portugal for his medical tests yesterday.
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Leon Bailey of AS Roma controls the ball against Alessandro Circati of Parma Calcio 1913 during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Olimpico on October 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) The 22-year-old had no fitness issues to report, so was able to put pen to paper on a contract to June 2031.
Parma will pocket circa €18m plus up to a further €2m in performance-related add-ons.
Circati quits Parma for Benfica BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Alessandro Circati of Parma Calcio 1913 and Nicola Zalewski of Atalanta battle for possession during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio 1913 at Gewiss Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Although the defender was born in Italy, he moved to Australia with his family at the age of just one.
Representing Italy at various stages of youth football, he switched to Australia in 2023 when given his senior debut, going on to amass one goal in 17 caps.
That included participating in the 2026 World Cup for the Socceroos this summer.
A product of the Perth Glory youth academy, Circati returned to Italy in February 2021 to continue his growth process at Parma.
He leaves after 96 competitive appearances for the senior squad, where he scored twice and provided three assists for the Ducali.
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What happened
Parma have officially completed the sale of Australian centre-back Circati to Portuguese giants Benfica. The deal is worth €18 million in base fee with additional bonuses included. The move marks a significant departure for Parma, who developed the young defender, while Benfica strengthen their backline with a promising talent ahead of their domestic and European campaigns.
Chance analysis
Circati's move to Benfica represents a notable step in the Australian defender's career, joining a club that regularly competes in the Champions League. For Parma, a fee of €18m plus bonuses for a player they developed is a significant windfall, providing financial flexibility in the transfer market. Benfica continue their pattern of identifying young, high-upside defensive talent, with Circati fitting the profile of recent signings aimed at building long-term squad value.
Parma lose a young defensive starter and receive a major transfer windfall; Benfica add a promising centre-back to their squad.