Portuguese powerhouse Benfica have completed the transfer of highly rated Brazilian starlet Alan Kardec from Vasco da Gama for a reported fee of €4.5 million.

“I am very happy to know of the interest of a club like Benfica, Portugal’s largest and one of the largest in the world. For any Brazilian player, playing in Europe and in this case, Benfica, is a dream,” the forward was recently quoted as saying by A Bola.

“I’m not very mobile and players like that are more appreciated in Brazil. However, I think I have the quality to do well in the style of football played in Europe. I just ask for an opportunity to show my value, and it is happening right now.”

The capture of Kardec probably means that Benfica will terminate the loan deal of Barcelona starlet Keirrison. The youngster joined the Lisbon side on a one-year loan deal last summer, but has failed to make an impact so far.

The 20-year-old striker impressed at the recent Under-20 World Cup and had attracted the interest of several European sides. Aside from Benfica, Juventus and Inter were also rumoured to be keen on signing Kardec.