Star Socceroo seals money-spinning move to Benfica

Young Socceroo Alessandro Circati has become the latest Australian international to be snapped up in a money-spinning European transfer, as he hailed his move from Parma to Benfica as a "privilege".

Following Lucas Herrington's move from the MLS to the Premier League player, joining Hull City, and Nestory Irankunda joining Benfica's great rivals Sporting from Watford, Circati has been signed by the Portuguese giants for a reported 20 million euros ($33 million).

With Nishan Velupillay's move from Melbourne Victory to third-tier German club FC Ingolstadt 04 also completed, World Cup Socceroos are clearly the flavour of the month, with other reports linking top clubs with Norwich striker Mohamed Toure.

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Circati's move from the Italian top-flight Serie A to Portugal's Primeira Liga has been in the pipeline for a while, with the 22-year-old having signed a five-year contract through to 2031 with the Lisbon-based double European champions.

"To all the Benfiquistas, yeah, I can't wait to play in front of you all, and win as many titles as we can. It's a huge honour. It's a privilege. I'm over the moon, couldn't be happier," enthused Circati in a message to the fans on the club's website.

"I think it's a reward for many years of hard work. I'm so happy to be here, and I can't wait to play for Benfica."

The Italian-born Circati will play at the world-famous Estadio da Luz -- the Stadium of Light -- and sounded just a little awe-struck as he added: "I can't wait. I've just had a look at it now. It's amazing, and I'm very, very excited to play."

Asked about adapting quickly to his move, he added: "I think I'm very adaptable. I think you can play me in either role of the centre back, in a back-four or a back-three.

"I'm sure it's going to take a bit of time to adapt, but I'll try and make it as fast as possible with the help of my teammates and staff. But I'm sure I'll fit in just fine."

The lad who came through the ranks at Perth Glory and, after completing a trial with Parma in 2021, returned to his Italian roots to join them, has made swift and impressive progress in Serie A, last year being a standout for the northern club as they finished 12th.

Circati also played in all four of the Socceroos' World Cup matches, with 17 international appearances now under his belt and one goal to his name.

Parma paid tribute to his time at the club in a statement, saying: "Alessandro made a total of 96 appearances for Parma, including 37 in Serie A, scoring two goals and playing a key role not only in the club's 2023-24 Serie B title triumph but also in securing survival over the following two seasons.

"President Kyle J. Krause, CEO Federico Cherubini and the entire Parma Calcio family would like to sincerely thank Alessandro and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career."

Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory favourite Nishan Velupillay has been snapped up by a European club, after a deal with third-tier FC Ingolstadt 04 was completed.

After seven years representing his boyhood club, ending up with 141 senior appearances and 25 goals, Victory saluted their departing star on Wednesday night, hailing Velupillay as "one of our own".

There will doubtless be disappointment, though, at losing the services of a 25-year-old whose rise from being a Victory graduate had taken him all the way to the World Cup in North America, where he played in two matches.

A Melburnian who was the first person of Tamil heritage to play at a World Cup, Velupillay made his A-League debut against Sydney FC in 2021.

He's become a favourite there, lifting the Australia Cup and reaching consecutive A-League grand finals in 2024 and 2025, before going on to captain the side in an Original Rivalry fixture versus Adelaide United.

If there's any surprise, it's just perhaps that Velupillay hasn't joined a higher-level club in Europe. Ingolstadt are in 3.Liga, but have demonstrated they're an innovative club after hiring Sabrina Wittmann, who's become the first female head coach in Germany's top three divisions.

Velupillay sent an emotional message to the club, saying: "I want to thank everyone connected with Melbourne Victory for making me the person that I am today.

"The coaches and staff have helped me develop and excel; my teammates have inspired and pushed me; and the members and fans have given me more support than I could ever have imagined.

"Playing for the club, who I have always supported, in the city I call home, has been a huge honour, and I will be following Victory wherever I go."

The club's director of football John Didulica added: "We are so proud of the journey that Nish has been on with Melbourne Victory -- from being part of our junior set-up to playing NPL3 to starting for the Socceroos at a FIFA World Cup.

"Everyone at the Club is obviously very close to Nish, and it is clear that he has earned the right, through his contribution to Victory over many years and his emergence with the Socceroos, to experience European football and live that dream.

"I remember Nish scoring the winner at Hindmarsh in 2021, which was his first ever goal for the Club and the way his face lit up, and he instinctively ran to the away bay with the Victory fans.

"We knew that night we had a player, but we also knew that we had someone who cared deeply about Victory."