Carissa Boeckmann bolsters Benfica

Benfica presented Carissa Boeckmann as a new signing for the women's football team. The 22-year-old American midfielder arrives from Portland Thorns, a team in the NWSL (the top women's football league in the United States), and has signed until 2027.

“I'm super excited to get started. It's an incredible club, an incredible culture, an incredible environment. I'm really excited”, she told BTV as a Benfica player.

When asked how she felt when she learned of the 5-time Portuguese champions' interest, she recalled the joy of the moment.

“I was a little shocked at first, but at the same time, very excited. When I heard about the opportunity, I thought, ‘I have to do this!’” she revealed.

At Portland Thorns, Carissa Boeckmann played alongside Marie Alidou, a familiar face to Benfica fans, who gave her the highest praise.

"Yes, I spoke to her. She had amazing things to say. She told me: ‘You have to go, you'll fit in, it'll be amazing!’ She only had good things to say. She said the girls are incredible, that the competition is top-level, that it's unique, the atmosphere, everything", she shared.

Describing herself as a “reliable, creative, hard-working, and fun” player, she revealed her goals.

“I would say the success of my whole team, because it's a team sport. I want to win, with the team, the Champions League, obviously that's the goal, and the Championship. And, in individual terms, I think about how to make an impact, doing what I can for the team”, she said.

The latest Benfica player also mentioned the fans of Sport Lisboa e Benfica.   

 “Honestly, I can't wait to get started and meet them, to introduce myself to them. I hope they keep supporting us and that we can give back to them as much as they give us”, said Carissa Boeckmann.

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