LONDON, June 21 — Benfica have signed Brazil forward David Neres from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk on a five-year contract, the Portuguese team said.

Benfica will pay €15.3 million (RM71 million) for the 25-year-old, who did not play any games for Shakhtar due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine a month after he signed for them from Ajax Amsterdam.

"It is good to arrive in a country where everyone speaks Portuguese and I am very happy to sign for the club. Benfica is a big club in Europe and in the world,” Neres said.

The club also announced yesterday that Neres’ compatriot Everton Soares would leave for Brazilian side Flamengo for €13.5 million after two years in Portugal.

Benfica finished third in the Primeira Liga last season and appointed Roger Schmidt as head coach in May. — Reuters