Portugal defender Antonio Silva has signed for Bournemouth in a deal worth up to £25.7m. The 22-year-old joins from Benfica, where he has been a regular since 2022 and featured in the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup. The signing is a priority for Bournemouth after Marcos Senesi left for Tottenham on a free transfer.

"I am very happy to be here," Silva said. "The mentality is always to win." Club sources said an agreement was only reached after Benfica's Europa League qualifying-round win over St Gallen on Thursday. The fee is an initial £21.4m, plus £4.3m in add-ons. Silva has 20 caps and was in Portugal's squads for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

Bournemouth president of football operations Tiago Pinto praised Silva's maturity and leadership. The defender is Bournemouth's second summer signing after striker Alvaro Rodriguez. The Cherries, under new manager Marco Rose, are aiming for stability after selling over £200m worth of players last year and are determined to resist offers for Alex Scott, Rayan and Junior Kroupi.