Benfica done deal? Another Nigerian star joins Portuguese giants

Super Falcons of Nigeria. Copyright: xShengolpixsx

Portuguese heavyweights Benfica have completed the signing of Super Falcons defender Oluwatosin Demehin ahead of the 2026/27 season, Soccernet.ng reports.

Demehin announced her departure from Turkish club Galatasaray on Monday, bringing an end to her stay with the club after joining them in 2024 from French side Stade de Reims.

The 24-year-old has now completed a move to Benfica on a three-year deal that could keep her at the Portuguese giants until 2029.

The six-time defending Portuguese champions have been keen to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season as they look to maintain their dominance in the Portuguese league while also making a stronger push in Europe.

Benfica’s best-ever finish in the UEFA Women’s Champions League came in the 2023/24 season when they reached the quarter-finals, becoming the first Portuguese women’s side to achieve the feat and are now looking to strengthen their squad further as they aim to compete with other European heavyweights.

Soccer Demehin begins new chapter at Benfica

The 24-year-old defender becomes the third Nigerian player to join Benfica this summer, following the arrivals of youngster Flourish Sabastine and Janet Semenya Akekoromowei.

The trio will join Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe at Benfica, increasing the Nigerian presence at the club and in Portuguese women’s football.

Demehin, who was an ever-present in the Super Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament, expressed her delight after completing the move and revealed that she is eager to begin the new chapter of her career at the club.

“A new chapter begins. Proud and grateful.. Ready to give my all, embrace the challenge and make this journey a memorable one. Força Benfica”, she wrote on her X (formerly Twitter) account.

Meanwhile, Demehin also revealed that her Super Falcons teammate Ucheibe played a key role in convincing her to join the club.

“Before coming here, I spoke with her (Ucheibe) during the National Team’s training camp. She told me many nice things about the Club.”

Demehin will be hoping to make her official Benfica debut on September 5 when they face Porto in the Portuguese Women’s Super Cup, giving the Super Falcons defender an early opportunity to win her first piece of silverware with the club.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.

Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin