ANKARA

Benfica acquired Joao Mario on free transfer on Tuesday, the Portuguese football club said on website.

The Lisbon club put a photo of the 28-year-old midfielder in a Benfica jersey, but did not give any detail about his contract.

The Portuguese player was released by Inter Milan on Monday. Inter had signed him from
 Sporting Lisbon in 2016.

Mario helped Portugal win the EURO 2016 title.

Last season, he claimed the Portuguese league title with Sporting as Inter loaned him to the Portuguese club in 2020.