ISTANBUL

Portuguese attacking midfielder Rafa Silva joined Türkiye's Besiktas, signing a three-year contract on Thursday.

"We know that feel, Rafa. Welcome to Besiktas!," the Turkish club said in a statement on X, adding that he finalized the contract after meeting Vice President Huseyin Yucel. He also passed a health check.

The Istanbul-based club told Türkiye's Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) that they signed the agreement with Silva for a salary of $6.4 million per season, and his contract will end in 2027.

Silva, 31, previously played for Feirense, Braga, and Benfica in Portugal, and Besiktas will be his first club experience outside his home country.

He scored 94 goals and made 79 assists in 326 matches for Benfica, and helped the Lisbon club win three Portuguese league titles.

Silva also won the UEFA EURO 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal.