USMNT defender John Brooks joins Portuguese giants Benfica

Benfica have announced the signing of United States international center-back John Brooks.

Brooks was without a club following the expiration of his Wolfsburg contract at the end of the 2021/22 season having played 146 games for the club across all competitions.

The 29-year-old previously looked on the verge of joining Spanish top-flight side Mallorca but a late twist has seen him sign a one-year deal with Benfica.

Capped 45 times for the USMNT, Brooks hasn’t featured for the Stars and Stripes since a 4-1 win over Honduras during World Cup qualifying in September 2021. It’s hoped the move to Benfica will see Brooks pick up enough minutes to earn his way back into Gregg Berhalter’s plans ahead of Qatar 2022, especially given the Portuguese giants play a similar high defensive line to the United States.

Prior to his spell with Wolfsburg, Brooks came through the youth system at Hertha Berlin, eventually making 130 senior appearances for the club and helping them lift the 2013/14 2. Bundesliga title.

Brooks joins a Benfica side sitting top of the Primeira Liga table with a 100 percent record after four games. scoring 11 goals and conceding just twice. The Berlin-born defender will face competition from the likes of Nicolas Otamendi and Morato at the Estádio da Luz.