Here we go! Benfica secure Australia's defensive leader from Serie A
Benfica are about to land one of Serie A's most reliable young defenders.
Details: According to renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Benfica have reached a verbal agreement with Parma for Alessandro Circati. The deal is worth €20 million plus add-ons, and the Australian centre-back has already given the green light to the move. The exclusive story comes with the journalist's signature 'here we go'.
The 22-year-old defender was born in the Italian town of Fidenza but moved to Perth with his family at the age of one. A product of the Perth Glory academy, Circati joined Parma in 2022 and has since made over 80 appearances for the club across Serie B and Serie A, even captaining the side last December at just 22 years of age.
Circati's story is one of resilience: a cruciate ligament tear in September 2024 wiped out almost his entire 2024/25 season, but he bounced back impressively, playing 33 matches across all competitions in 2025/26 and helping Australia at the 2026 World Cup.
It's worth noting that Transfermarkt currently values Circati at €18 million, while his contract with Parma was set to run until the summer of 2029.
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Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
