Lisbon: Portuguese international winger Rafa Silva on Thursday signed for Benfica from Sporting Braga on a five-year deal worth 16 million euros ($17.8m), both clubs confirmed.
The sum paid for the 23-year-old is a record between Portuguese clubs surpassing the 11 million euros paid in 2010 by FC Porto to Sporting Lisbon for Joao Moutinho.
The deal with reigning three-time Portuguese champions Benfica followed protracted negotiations during which both clubs criticised the demands of the player's agent as excessive.
Capped nine times, Silva helped Portugal win the European title in July. He opted for Benfica despite interest from league rivals FC Porto.
Silva turned professional in 2012 with modest Portuguese club Feirense before joining Braga the following year.
Benfica also agreed the transfer of Portuguese striker Rui Fonte to Sporting Braga for three seasons and loaned Argentine winger Oscar Benitez to the club for a year.