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Nuno Assis has assumed to stay and continue at Benfica even though there has been some interest from foreign clubs. The midfielder is hoping for a better season, one where can play a bigger part in, and that it's important for the club to reach a Champions League place.

"There have been some proposals, but I'm still under contract and want to continue at my best level. It did not go well for me last season. We hope the new season will be better. Although I think it will not be that hard to overcome last season's achievement."

"It's fundemental for a club like Benfica to be in the Champions League."

The official SL Benfica website has confirmed the club will be counting on 26-year old Carlos Martins from this season, signing a 5 year contract.

The two-time capped Portuguese International began his career at Sporting CP in 2002 with a couple of loan spells, but moved to La Liga last season where he made 32 league appearances for Recreativo Huelva and scored 6 goals.

Benfica have acquired 100% of the players' rights, which 40% of the €3m went to rivals Sporting. The midfielder was presented at the Benfica's press room today.

"Everyone knows that I started my career in Sporting. Above all, it was a cycle which has now finished, and a new one will begin. I hope to be happy here and win titles for Benfica."

"I'm grateful for the confidence Benfica have shown me and I'm here to work hard in all training sessions and matches."

Rui Costa pleased

"Carlos Martins is a player that I have always liked. His characteristics are right to succeed here in Portugal. I was very happy when Quique Flores was interested in the possibility of signing the player."

"As soon as he received our offer he showed great enthusiasm to play for the club, which is the kind of players we are looking for in Benfica."

Sport London e Benfica FC, an affiliation of Sport Lisboa e Benfica's branch in London, have made their own history with their debut in the Football Asssociation's Challenge VASE competition, where over 400 lower league teams compete for the road to Wembley Stadium.

The draw pitted North Greenford United FC away on 20th September in the second qualifying round, click here for full fixtures.

Sport London e Benfica joined their first regional league back in 1981, and after an accolade of honours, they were recently crowned Middlesex County Football League Premier Division champions in 2006/07.

Here is an extract from the statement made on their official website:

Italian champions Inter Milan will be Benfica's opponent for newly created Eusébio Cup. This competition will only feature one club, but adjustments will be made to the format next year where more teams will be involved.

José Mourinho, who had a short stint at Benfica, will be managing Inter Milan on 15th August at the Estádio da Luz, with times yet to be confirmed.

This will be Benfica's second home friendly, but may be postponed if the decision from TAS favours the Lisbon side for an entry in the Champions League qualifiers.

Benfica will be playing Feyenoord Rotterdam of Holland on the 9th of August for a pre-season friendly. The game is set to kick off at 19:45 GMT at the Estádio da Luz.

The last time Feyenoord visited the Luz was back in 1963 for the semi-final of the European Cup where Benfica won 3-1.

The Dutch side who finished 6th in their domestic league will travel to Lisbon on the same day and return the day after.

Benfica's goalkeeper Quim stated he will be returning to training on the second week of pre-season (mid July). The Portuguese International suffered a blow when he injured his hand prior to Portugal's Euro 2008 campaign, which removed him from the squad instantly.

"Next week I'll have more tests and we shall see how much long I will have to wait. I can't say that I will be training with the ball in the first week, but sincerely hope to do so in the second."

Last season's first choice, Quim has yet to speak to new manager Quique, and hopes the Spaniard will be another person trying to put Benfica back to the top.

"I haven't spoken to him personally. But I know he has managed big teams in Spain and did well. I hope he can help us."

"We can have a much better, and positive, season than the last, which was very bad. We want to fight for the title from the start."

Quim played down the departure of Rodriguez and stated he has hopes on the current players.

"He was a great player, left marks in Benfica, but changed club and continues his life. The players who stayed and ones that recently signed also have quality. We aren't going to feel sorry for ourselves."

Youngsters André Carvalhas and Miguel Rosa have extended their contracts for 3 years. Both are seen as a promise to Portuguese football, in Benfica's youth team, but now have been given the chance to join the first team squad in the pre-season training.

André Carvalhas played 27 games and scored 18 goals last season. The midfielder is said to have been offered invitations from England and Spain, but chose to stay at Benfica where he can continue to improve.

" Rui Costa met with me and Miguel. He's an experienced person and spoke to us how welcome we are to stay at the club, he guaranteed that we will have everything we need. That was very important for us."

The youngster received his first professional contract until 2011, and assumes it's now his responsibility to convince manager Quique Flores to keep him in the first team beyond the pre-season.

Miguel Rosa had a similar fate, the attacking midfielder extended his contract by three years and is looking forward to join with the first team. He scored 17 goals in 27 games in the junior side last season.

"I played alongside Rui Costa in a friendly tour in USA, and now I sit beside him to give an important step towards my career, it's spectacular."

"It would be great to continue with the senior team, to be a «number 10» sometime in Benfica would be a dream come true."

Benfica's new winger Balboa admitted he was not expecting to sign for such a big club, and he is ready to grasp this chance to progress as a player after tough times at Real Madrid.

"It's very gratifying that such a big team is counting on me, especially after some bad times. My passage through Real Madrid is now a thing of the past. Now, I have to think about the future and take this opportunity."

"I suffered last year as much as Soldado. I knew I would only be called up to replace an injured or suspended colleague. Playing well would not mean anything because I would be back on the substitute bench anyway."

Today's edition of newspaper O Benfica claims that the club haven't been officially notified by UEFA that FC Porto will be competing in the Champions League 2008/09, and that the possibility of Benfica entering the qualifying rounds is not out of question.

Sport Lisboa e Benfica are awaiting a response from UEFA to clarify this process.

Platini disappointed

UEFA's president Michel Platini was said to be unhappy with UEFA's decision to include FC Porto in the Champions League in an interview to Spanish paper Mundo Desportivo.

"If a club has been sanctioned by their Football Federation, and by UEFA, for corruption, they cannot compete in an European competition. As the president of UEFA I'm not at all happy with their inclusion in the Champions League. I say this clearly. As long as I'm here UEFA will fight against corruption with all means."

Zaragoza's technical secretary Pedro Herrera revealed to Renascença Radio that Benfica have given Pablo Aimar an offer to play for the Lisbon club.

"Benfica's representatives have told us about their interest in Aimar. We are ready to negotiate with the player, his wishes are important to us. We know that he is currently studying an offer, but we will also have a look at it. At the moment we are awaiting Benfica's move."

The Argentina International won the Spanish title and UEFA Cup with Valencia before moving to Zaragoza in 2006. Originally from River Plate, he played under Quique Flores in Valencia for a season.

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