Greek striker Mitroglou to sign up for Benfica

Lisbon, Aug 7 (IANS/EFE) Greek striker Kostas Mitroglou arrived in Lisbon to negotiate his contract with Benfica to fortify the Eagles' front line, one of the Portuguese club's biggest priorities since the departure of Brazilian player Rodrigo Lima.

Upon arriving at the airport in Lisbon on Thursday, the player declined to comment to the Portuguese press, despite media reports assuring that he has indeed been loaned from Fulham to Benfica, which will get an option to purchase him for 7 million euros ($7.6 million).

The transfer of Lima to Al-Ahli Dubai left a gap in Benfica's front, which is occupied only by former Valencia striker Jonas, Uruguay's Jonathan Rodriguez, who last season played only one game, and Portuguese player Nelson Oliveira, whose future with the club is tenuous.

The 27-year-old Mitroglou played in Germany with Duisburg and Borussia Monchengladbach. He then signed with Olympiacos, where he remained until 2013, when he was signed by Fulham, which loaned him back to Olympiacos last season.

--IANS/EFE

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