Mexico striker Jimenez leaves Atletico for Benfica

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is quite pleased with his side’s preseason progression ahead of the 2015/16 La Liga campaign.

Benfica have signed Mexico global striker Raul Jimenez from Atletico Madrid, the Portuguese club said on Thursday.

The club, while confirming the move, revealed that the Mexican worldwide will be at the Estadio da Luz until June 2020.

“I did not play as many minutes as I expected but I believe in myself and I now want to help my new team”, Jimenez told BenficaTV.

Jimenez had been rumoured to be headed out on loan to West Ham before the Benfica offer came in.

However, the 24-year-old has made a decision to ply his trade in Portugal under Rui Vitoria, with the champions having reportedly paid €9m for 50 per cent of the player’s economic rights. “I know very well that it won’t be easy, but I’m at a great club and surrounded by high-quality teammates”. “I will do everything to help the team”.

The forward, who spent an impressive 13 years in Club America’s youth system, has proven in the past he has the quality to succeed at the highest level, but he was unable to break Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann’s partnership last season.