Franjo Ivanović is moving from Belgium to Portugal in a €22 + 5 million deal until 2030, per the official Benfica website. This is a fantastic move for the 21 year-old as he moves from a small pond in Belgium to a medium one in Portugal. This will not only give him the opportunity to test himself at a higher level, but it will also protect him from the pressure of a top-5 European league. If Ivanović can secure steady minutes off the bench and score five league goals this season, we would have to consider that a success. He was already capped by Dalić earlier this year in Nations League and will now play for a club that finished 2nd in Portugal last year; only two points behind champions Sporting Lisbon.
The terms of the deal were detailed to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM): “Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD (“Benfica SAD”) announces that it has reached an agreement with Real Union Saint Gilloise (“RUSG”) for the acquisition of all rights to the player Franjo Ivanovic, for a total amount of €22,800,000 (twenty-two million eight hundred thousand euros), plus an additional €5,000,000 (five million euros) payable based on predefined objectives. The above amounts include the solidarity mechanism amounts, which Benfica SAD will retain for subsequent distribution to the clubs that participated in the player’s training, and the intermediation services related to the transfer of the player’s rights amounted to €1,000,000 (one million euros). It is further noted that RUSG will also be entitled to receive 20% of the capital gains obtained in a future transfer of the player. In addition, a sports employment contract was signed with the aforementioned player, valid until June 30, 2030, which includes a termination clause in the amount of €100,000,000 (one hundred million euros), which becomes €60,000,000 (sixty million euros) as of July 1, 2029.”
“Benfica is a very big club. And I think Benfica can help me a lot, and I can help them. So, for me, it was an easy choice,” Ivanovic said in an interview with BTV.
Lol..score 5 goals is enough as backup striker? Musa scored more than that and he is still deemed not good enough and they bought another striker…
I hope baturina and l.sucic are not the next coric and rog
10-20% probability Bati busts
L Sucic I still don’t get what he does – the odd wonder goal – but he rarely has the ball in midfield and otherwise has no OOP game ie he doesn’t break up play nevermind tackle – now he can goof off with Duje who won’t be a good influence
Thank god we have Pero – he’ll have to do everything
@Anonymous
Last year I saw a game or a highlight where, if I recall right, L. Sucic won a battle for the ball at or near midfield, and after winning the turnover, scored on the ensuing play when Sociedad counterattacked down the field. He was critical on the play from beginning to end. He has good acceleration and movement, a powerful shot….
Maybe he can be a Rakitic? A Szoboszlai?
Anyway, he had a solid season, he was voted player of the year there, and his transition to La Liga was largely a success. First years can be tough, he did well all considered. Manchester United certainly showed an interest last year, and I think another Premier League team as well.
This year is an important year. Let’s see how he does. A key thing for him is to stay injury free. But there is good reason for Anonymous to be more optimistic about L. Sucic at this time…
I think Baturina made a good choice of team and league, a good decision for him. As I interpret your email, it seems Anonymous believes there is a 80%-90% chance things will go well for Bati at Como. . . I’ll take those odds…
When are we getting our next Vuskovic report? I figure one of the blessings for the coming season is that we will now get some Croatian Sports (Vuskovic) in those Tottenham reports.
I doubt Benfica spent such a transfer price for them to have Ivanovic as there backup striker. Ivanovic was convinced to go there after Rui Costa there president spoke so I’m sure they have a plan for him. If it was all about the money could have went to Wolves where he would have had a much higher salary. Benfica is good stepping stone for a young striker who is just starting to put things together
P.S.
“…the intermediation services related to the transfer of the player’s rights amounted to €1,000,000 (one million euros)”
For those that were unaware – unlike real estate – where the seller pays the commission on the sale (split between seller and buying agents) – in football it’s the buying club that typically pays the commission to the players’ agents on the transfer
So when Anonymous says it’s all about the €, it really is
i.e. Ivanovic agents had a financial incentive for him to transfer to Benfica, rather than stay at USG, as they pocketed a mil on him moving
x.com/AgentsFC/status/1951055920747913351
great move by ivanovic.
benfica’s scouts rarely miss
Fantastic move?
It’s all about €
He’s guaranteed himself €10-12.5m over the next 5 years (40-50k up from 10k)
He’s giving up 8 guarenteed CL league games in exchange for mandatory 4 qualifications games to even get to CL league
He’s giving up a guaranteed starting role in exchange for guaranteed sub role
There is no small to medium pond here – look at country coefficients – they are basically identical
And most important for us he’s risking his role in the Croatia NT if he doesn’t get enough minutes and giving other young strikers/forwards chomping at the bit a chance to leapfrog him in Dalic pecking order
Are steady minutes off the bench and 5 goals a success?
I would describe success as playing
Not really. Look at Musa. He was a super-sub at Benfica. Scored more than plenty. And now he’s playing for a bad team in the MLS. All that matters is goal tally if you’re a striker.
Look at Olic. Wasn’t the prettiest striker but he found the back of the net in the most ugliest ways. All that matters.