Flourish Chioma Sabastine has completed a permanent move to Portuguese women’s champions Benfica, ending her spell with Turkish title holders Fenerbahçe, Bold sports reports.
The Nigeria international signed a contract until 2029, while Benfica also hold the option to extend the agreement for another season.
The 21-year-old arrives in Lisbon after helping Fenerbahçe win the Turkish Women’s Super League last season. Before that success, she featured for Galatasaray and French side Stade de Reims following an impressive rise from Bayelsa Queens, where she claimed three domestic titles and competed in the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Sabastine brings valuable international experience, having made her Super Falcons debut against Japan in 2022 and represented Nigeria at the 2022 and 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups.
Speaking after the transfer was confirmed, Sabastine expressed her excitement about joining one of Europe’s leading clubs.
”First of all, I am very happy to be here. It’s great for me to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. I am very happy and very happy to be here.”
Comfortable on either wing, Sabastine described the qualities she believes she will bring to Benfica’s attack.
”I’m fast, tactically strong, with one-on-one ability. Intelligent, young and free-spirited.”
She made it clear that winning trophies remains her biggest ambition while also hoping to feature in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
”To win many titles here and score goals. Benfica is a team that we know wins titles. My expectation is to play in the Champions League with the team.”
Despite the competition for places, the Nigerian insisted she is ready to fight for a regular role.
”I will have to work hard to be part of Benfica’s first team. It’s a very competitive team and I’m a player who likes to compete with the other players. I believe I can.”
Sabastine disclosed that former Benfica midfielder Christy Ucheibe played an important role before she accepted the offer.
”We spoke a few times and she spoke very well of the team. It was very important to me. Christy told me that Benfica is a club that she will never forget. In terms of her career, it was here that she evolved a lot as a player. When it came out, it was very difficult for her. As a player, I know what it means to feel at home in a team. She was very happy here at Benfica.”
Her move to Benfica now offers the 21-year-old another opportunity to compete for major honours while continuing her development on one of Europe’s biggest stages.
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